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Alley stuck out her tongue. “Well shit, this brother thing can be a real buzz kill.”
“There’s always Kace,” Summer announced.
“Oh no.” Teal wagged her finger back and forth. “If I go talking about that right now I’ll have to go home earlier than planned and jump the man.”
Everyone let out another round of laughter.
Teal was sad she wasn’t staying, but tonight she decided she would hang out and then go home to the baby. It may have something to do with Kace too and I couldn’t blame her.
I was having a great time, but there was just something about being wrapped in Rowan’s arms when I fell asleep that made the whole night better.
“What about you, Gemma? Any prospects on the horizon for you?” This came from Teal who was surely trying to get the attention off herself.
Gemma was fun, sassy, smart, and beautiful. She should have the guys lined up around the block, but she said that she was too busy with school all the time. So when she told everyone that she had been casually seeing someone from her college, but didn’t think it was going to work out, everyone looked stunned.
“Honey, you never said anything about meeting someone.” Jurnee tilted her head looking closely at Gemma as if trying to get a read on what was going on. “And you certainly haven’t brought him around.”
I had heard that Jurnee was the closest to Gemma after being together in foster care for a time with each other.
“That’s because it wasn’t a big thing.” Gemma looked uneasy and I think it was safe to say everyone there was concerned by the look on their faces. “He just turned out to be too much, you know. Clingy and…” She left the sentence hanging there.
I saw Teal studying her closely. “Did he hurt you?”
“No. No. Nothing like that.” Gemma waved Teal's question off and didn’t elaborate any further.
It wouldn’t be the last time one of the ladies spoke to Gemma about what was going on. I could see everyone, including myself, was picking up on the fact something wasn’t quite right.
Gemma grabbed a pastry out of the box from the bakery and took a huge bite. “These are so good,” she announced over a mouth full of food.
I recognized the subject change, being that I was a master at it. Feeling bad, I jumped in to help save her. “Rowan took me there for the first time today.”
“So you met, Capri, then?” Jurnee asked.
“Yup. She is not only beautiful but as sweet as all the treats she makes.” I paused for a minute trying to decide if I should say what I was thinking and then decided Alley had said we share, so I did. “To be honest when I first saw her I was a little jealous knowing Rowan had been going in there all the time.”
I rolled my eyes at how silly I sounded.
“I know, it’s stupid, right?” Looking around the room, the ladies didn’t seem to think I was dumb at all by the looks on their faces.
“Brin, you’re in love with the man. We all have our moments when we get jealous. Don’t worry though. Since Rowan got here I have never heard him talk about a woman, Capri included, in a manner of interest or look at a lady in that way.”
My body settled and I smiled.
“Well, you know how to make me feel better, that’s for sure.” I bit my lip and wondered if I should bring up the other thing on my mind.
“What is it?” Teal’s scrutinizing gaze assessed mine. “I can see there is something else going on in your head.”
I sighed. “Maybe I’m reaching, but have any of you been by Capri’s lately and seen the building next to her for lease?”
“Oh, yeah, I noticed that the other day when Landon and I went there.” Alley nodded. “Are you thinking about opening a new bookstore?”
My brows scrunched up, confused. I didn’t know how she’d thought of that so fast and was shocked.
“I don’t know how you read my mind, but when I saw it, I did think about that right away. But I am helping you now and I just don’t know if it is possible.” My heart sank a little bit each time I thought I couldn’t do it again and start over, but when I got a glimmer of hope I could, it soured.
Alley waved me off as Gemma had done with Teal earlier. This time it wasn’t her trying not to answer, but more a gesture telling me I was ridiculous. “If you want a new store, don't let anyone hold you back. Certainly not me or I will kick your butt.”
“If I do this, I am still going to help you.” My pulse picked up. ‘If I do this.’Was I seriously thinking about it? “I will make sure I have time and if you argue I will kick your butt,” I told her, throwing her words back at her.
