Page 55 of Embracing Love

Nadine nodded, and slipped a yogurt pot onto her tray. “All of them. He can’t play, so I think it’ll make for an interesting game.”

Tanya’s spirits floated slowly to the ground. She wouldn’t get any chance to speak to Gabriel.

“Come on,” nudged Nadine. “We’ll take one of those smaller tables over here.” Reluctantly Tanya followed.

“I haven’t seen Sandra.” Tanya commented. The odious woman hadn’t been at yesterday’s Cocktail reception either which was strange because Sandra always made a point to get to the convention much earlier than was necessary and she spent the days having spa treatments.

“She’s not coming. She’s got some personal stuff to deal with.”

Tanya got ready to dive into her salad and picked up her fork, then stopped. “Such as?”

Nadine shook her head. “I don’t think I should say. It’s personal.”

“You know what it is?”

Nadine nodded, getting started on her salad.

Tanya angled her head. “You’re not going to tell me?”

As if it was a difficult decision to make, Nadine snagged a carrot on the end of her fork, appeared to be thinking about whether to spill the news or not. She sighed, as though the decision was a heavy one. “I’m sorry. I can’t. It’s something she confided in me and I’m not sure she’s ready to tell anyone.”

“But she told you?” They’d been bonding alright. Too many lunches together.

Nadine nodded. “I wish I could tell you. It’s …the last thing you’d ever expect.”

Tanya jerked her head back. “She’s having an affair?”

Nadine simply stared back at her.

“She’s a lesbian?”

Nadine kept her cool, giving nothing away.

“She’s a man in disguise.”

Nadine laughed. “Please, don’t. It’s hard enough but this one…this is important. I’m sure it’ll come out in time. If she chooses to.”

They ate in silence and no matter how much it needled her, Tanya had to admit the woman could keep things to herself. It was good to know because she’d trusted Nadine with secrets that she would rather forget. “You’re a good friend.”

“Where did that come from?” Nadine asked.

Tanya shrugged and continued to play with her food, she wanted to talk about Gabriel, but knew she’d stopped Nadine each time her friend had brought up the topic. Nadine wasn’t one to keep digging. But she wanted her to this time.

“I’m looking forward to tonight’s party,” said Nadine. “I can’t wait to get my presentations over with.”

“I bet.”

“So…what was that? The screen you accidentally switched to in your presentation?”

Tanya squared her shoulders. She’d not really discussed much of her past with Nadine, and now she’d rather they talked about Gabriel but…“Vincent. My ex. He’s getting married. He proposed. She said yes.”

“And you’re still cut up about it?”

If Nadine had asked her yesterday, she would have been. A little. But today things were different—it was as if she’d needed something else, someone she felt a connection with, to make her push all lingering thoughts of Vincent out of her system for good.

“I thought I was.” She really had thought so. But Gabriel had somehow worked his way into her heart. And she’d gone and messed that up as well.

“You thought you were?” Nadine looked confused.

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