Page 43 of Snowbound

“We were wondering,” says Jensen to me with a smile that gives away his trap. “How long it would take for him to find a girl who could put up with him. Most of us gave up on him long ago.”

He and the gaggle of men who have come to surround us laugh at that, and I noticed Gabe clench his fists, trying not to react. No wonder he’s not spoken to these people in years if this is how they treat him.

“He’s been nothing but a gentleman to me,” I say, jutting out my chin. “He’s been kinder than anyone else in this town.”

Jensen raises both eyebrows. “Fighting talk. You might think you like him now, but you watch. I can guarantee he’ll let you down. He’s never managed to keep a woman for longer than a year because they all realize, in the end, he’s not capable of a real relationship.”

Gabe takes a deep breath, and I step in front of him, mostly to stop him from lashing out and punching Jensen.

“We’re not in a relationship,” he growls from behind me.

“And even if we were, would it matter?” I add. “He’s allowed to make choices about his own life. No wonder he stopped hanging out with you guys if you’re all this cruel and obsessed with yourselves.”

The group lets out a collectiveohhat the comeback, and Jensen mutters something I don’t quite hear as he backs away, slinking off to the bar.

“Ignore him,” says Gabe roughly. “He’s had too much to drink.”

“So have you,” I say. I’m not upset, but the confrontation has left my heart pounding. “Promise me you won’t hit him.”

“He’s not worth it,” mutters Gabe, downing the last of his beer. “We shouldn’t have come out tonight. I’m sorry for subjecting you to these dumbasses.”

“You didn’t know this would happen. You thought maybe they changed. Just because they proved you wrong doesn’t mean you were wrong to try.”

He says nothing, slamming his glass down onto the nearest table, glaring after Jensen.

“Don’t let them bother you,” he says like he hasn’t heard me. “They’re just trying to wind me up because they think we’re together, and they think it’s funny to try and annoy me about it.”

“I see,” I say softly. I want to ask him what that means we really are, but hearing him say so out loud might break my heart.

Maybe some other time I’ll be brave enough to confirm what we are, but not here, not now. The last thing I want is for Jensen to see me cry and be proven right.

I don’t ever want him to think that Gabe has let me down.

CHAPTER23

GABE

I’m watching the TV when Carly comes in. She all but slams the door behind her, marches into the living room and flops down onto the sofa beside me.

“Bad day?” I ask, automatically reaching out to place my hand on her leg.

She sighs and rolls her eyes, and I take my hand away again, self-conscious about seeming too familiar with her.

“Flowers are always my least favorite part of my job,” she says, shaking her head. “I don’t know why florists insist on being the most annoying people on earth. I’ve been in a meeting all day today with them, trying to arrange the irises that Ruth and John want. How hard can it be to find irises? Apparently impossible in the winter. I keep telling them that I’ve had plenty of winter weddings that have had flowers that supposedly only grow in the summer, but they are absolutely refusing to work with me here.

“That and the date we set at the hall was a double booking, so they’re trying to screw us around by moving it. I’m staying firm, but dealing with behind-the-scenes stuff, and then still trying to be professional and make it look like everything is fine for clients — it’s exhausting.”

“You have seemed stressed the last few days,” I say pacifyingly, hoping that it is the right thing to say.

When she laughs, I realize I was wrong.

I go to apologize, but instead she says, “This is not stressed. You think you’ve seen me stressed?”

The way she’s giggling isn’t exactly proving her point. They’re the giggles of a mad woman who hasn’t slept enough.

“Usually, not only am I dealing with all this behind-the-scenes hoopla, I’m dealing with brides who decide to change the color scheme or the venue or what dress they want to wear or the bridesmaids three days before the ceremony. This isn’t stressful at all. Ruth and John are being so good about it all. They haven’t even yelled at me once.”

“The clients usually yell at you?” I ask with a frown.

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