AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Right.” Lauren patted her arm. “And instead of wasting four years in New York, you would’ve wasted your entire life imagining it. You’re fine, Veronica. You’re starting over. Welcome to your new life.”
Her new life. Wow.
Okay. She could deal with that. New York and everything that had come before it...that was her past. Wasn’t that what she would tell anyone who wrote to her? You made mistakes. Learn from it and move on.
Move on. That was a little too general to be number three on her list, but it was still good advice.
“You’re right,” she said. “Thank you. To my new life.” She raised her drink and took a hearty gulp.
“No fair,” Lauren complained. “We’re all out and Isabelle scared the waiter away.”
“Let’s order dessert,” Veronica said, sniffing back the last of her tears. “And another round. It’s my birthday.”
“Hell, yeah, it is,” Isabelle said.
Veronica had just decided on a fancy version of strawberry shortcake that included liquor in the recipe when her phone beeped. She dug it from her purse and made a little wish before she looked. It paid off.
Happy birthday, Dear Veronica.
It was from Gabe. Her cheeks might have been sore from laughing but that didn’t stop her from grinning with delight. She glanced up to see her friends still studying the dessert menu.
Thank you, she wrote. Hope you had a great day.
The phone buzzed immediately back. Can I call you?
Her heart picked up speed. I’m still out.
Of course. Maybe later?
Yes, she wrote back, making sure not to add fifteen exclamation points. There was no reason for him to know that she was tempted to walk out on dessert for him.
She looked up to find her friends staring. “Sorry,” she said, tucking her phone away.
“Sorry?” Lauren repeated. “Sorry you haven’t told us who you’re flirting with?”
“I’m not flirting with anyone!” she protested. Her lie didn’t work, apparently, because they both laughed at her. “What?” she demanded. “I was only returning a text.”
Isabelle rolled her eyes. “Judging by how ridiculously excited you were to hear from him, we’ll be getting some details soon. We can wait.”
“Speak for yourself,” Lauren countered. “I can’t wait.” But she didn’t press the issue. Instead they ordered desserts and one more round of drinks and Veronica tried not to imagine what might happen later. But she had a feeling this was going to be a birthday to remember. No...not just a feeling. This was her new life and she was going to make damn sure this birthday went the way she wanted.
She had her number three now.
Try new things.
She couldn’t wait to get home and put it on her fridge.
***
CHAPTER TEN
“BUTIT’SMYBIRTHDAY,” she murmured, her voice a purr in Gabe’s ear.
He nearly groaned. He had a plan. He was determined to go slow. He’d been fantasizing about it since the night she’d told him her secret. And now...now that he’d actually touched her, now that he’d actually felt how wet she got for him... Shit. He was determined to make it perfect.
“Please?” she whispered.
Gabe stroked his cock through his shorts and winced at the ache. “It’s late,” he said.
