Page 87 of Protecting Christina

“Yeah, no problem. I get it. Good luck tomorrow.”

“Thanks,” she said, dropping her gaze back to her laptop.

I thought about buying lunch and bringing it back to the staff room, but I was in no mood to listen to another of Alicia’s nail sagas. God only knows what would come out of my mouth today.

But I didn’t want to be alone. I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck, thinking about how my date ended last night.

I wanted to talk to someone about what was happening with Will. I thought Nikole would be the best person because she knew us both, but there was someone else who could help. Someone I’d relied on nearly my whole life.

On my way to her office, I picked up Gabby’s favorite food, pizza with extra pepperoni. The smell of spicy meat made my stomach growl as I walked up to her door. “Knock, knock,” I said and stuck my head inside.

Gabby’s eyes lit up when she saw me—or was it the pizza? Either way, her smile improved my dark mood. “Hey, can you take a break for lunch?”

I hadn’t called, not wanting to be turned away. I figured she had to eat.

“Yes, yes. Come in.” Gabby waved me over and slid some yellow file folders to the side to make room for the pizza. “Mmm… that smells delicious.”

“My stomach has been growling for at least the last two blocks,” I said, setting the box down and handing Gabby a paper plate and napkin.

“Thank you,” she said and took a big bite of the cheesy dough. She closed her eyes and moaned.

Chuckling, I picked up a slice and sunk my teeth into it. The spicy flavors mixed with the warm cheese were the perfect combination of comfort. I leaned back in my seat and sighed as I chewed. Gabby smiled at me. “So, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“What do you mean? Can’t I buy my friend a pizza without you thinking something’s up?”

She looked up at the ceiling and pressed down on her lips. “Mmm… nope, I don’t think you can.”

She grinned widely before taking another big bite from her slice.

Chewing slowly, I waited until there was nothing left in my mouth before answering. “Well, maybe there’s something, but I think I need at least two slices of pizza in me before I can get into it.”

She nodded. “Yes. That’s a good idea. Trouble can only be resolved on a full stomach.”

We continued eating our gooey goodness, and I licked sauce off my fingers when it dripped down my thumb. Finally satiated, I picked up a few wet napkins and wiped my hands clean.

Gabby passed me a water bottle. “All right, Chrissy, what’s going on?”

I sighed again and crossed my legs. “I don’t know where to start.”

“Let’s start with why you’ve been nice these past couple of weeks.”

“I’ve been nice?” I asked, spitting out the last word as though it were something foul.

She rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to say it like that.”

“Sorry. It sounded like an insult.”

“I simply meant that you’ve called me twice this week, you met with your sister, and now you’re bringing me lunch. Either the news is really bad, or something really good is happening with you.”

“That’s the thing, Gabby. I don’t know which one it is.”

“I’m listening.”

I blew out a breath, and my hair fluttered. “It’s Will. He makes me feel… I don’t know… different. I’m happy, yet confused. Maybe skeptical. I don’t know.”

“Okay.”

“That’s it? That’s all you have to say?”

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