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Gabby’s mouth parted as if shocked but trying very hard to hide it. Then a wicked smile crept up on her face.
“You gave him that massive hickey?”
Mia couldn’t help it. When Gabby started to giggle, she joined in.
“It wasn’t on purpose.”
“Holy shit, woman. It was massive.” Gabby’s laughter filled the room. The sweet sound helped a tiny fraction of her nerves dissipate.
“I got carried away. He—”
This felt awkward. She wasn’t sure why because she and Gabby always talked about guys. Sometimes on the surface kind of stuff. Sometimes things that would make a guy cringe if they knew what they talked about.
The musical sound of laughter drifted away, but Gabby’s smile didn’t waver.
“He, what?”
“Why aren’t you mad at me?”
Gabby shrugged. “I’m still trying to process you slept with him. He never said a word to me.” This time her smile faded.
“Don’t be mad at him. He wanted to tell you right away and I asked him not to. He hated to keep it from you. It was all me.”
She looked away, despising herself for lying to her friend like this. And why? What good reason did she have? None, really. Just plain old fear. Fear that life could be great for once.
“So, what’s the problem? What’s going on?”
She lifted her gaze, hating the hurt in Gabby’s eyes. Loathing the concern. Gabby shouldn’t be concerned. She should be pissed at her.
“He asked me to marry him.”
Gabby’s mouth fully dropped open this time, the glee rising in her eyes.
“I said yes.”
Gabby started to giddy clap her hands.
“Days ago, he asked. Even before we slept together.”
The clapping slowed down as Gabby understood the implications. She had lied from the very beginning.
“It doesn’t feel right. I want to be happy and yet I...can’t…” Mia lifted her shoulders in a helpless gesture. She didn’t know how to explain it. “I walked out on him tonight. I hurt him. I don’t know how to take that back. I hurt you. I don’t know how to fix that.”
Gabby moved forward until she was standing right in her face. Close enough to slap her hard if she wanted. Mia wouldn’t object. Not that Gabby would ever do such a thing.
Instead, she wrapped her arms around her and squeezed tightly. So strongly, Mia could feel Gabby’s rapid heartbeat as strong as her own.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
They stood like that for ages. It was something Mia didn’t realize she needed. Her friend’s undying support. As always.
She should’ve never lied to her.
Gabby finally pulled back but didn’t let go.
“He is the perfect man for you. Ever since I found out how he felt about you, I knew it. I won’t lie and say I’m not hurt that you kept it from me, but…I get it.”
“You shouldn’t. You shouldn’t be so understanding. Stop letting me get away with shit.”
