Page 35 of Forever Then

“What is what?”

“That,” she says so pointedly I can almost feel an invisible finger pressed into the center of my chest. “That condescending, male ego thing. You did it earlier about the sofa bed. I can pay for my meal as well as yours. Shocker, I know.”

Our gazes lock until the server returns to take our order.

“Look,” I say, watching the waiter’s back for a moment before fixing my attention back on her. “I’m sorry if I came off arrogant or…domineering. I know you’re capable and self-sufficient and you don’tneedme.”

Her chin lowers, brows pinched as she swallows hard.

“And, for the record,” I continue, “I know I didn’t ask to be here.” Her eyes lift to mine. “But of all the people who could be here with you, I’m glad it’s me.”

I see it then—that flicker of hurt that still remains. She wants to cry, but I know Gretchen. She’s strong and stoic, almost to a fault. For a girl who cries easily, she doesn’t give her tears over to just anybody. If you’re not in her inner circle, she’ll hold on to those tears. She’ll blink them away all while pretending that everything is okay.

My heart splinters right down the middle, when she does exactly that.

“Gretch, if you’ll let me, I’d like to buy you dinner.”

The fact that it sounds like I’m asking her out on a date doesn’t stop me. A flurry of thoughts cross her expression in waves like the light bouncing off a disco ball.

If I say yes, does that make this a date? Does he want it to be a date? Why now? Why not then?

It’s time for a subject change. I can’t let my regrets or her spiraling thoughts dampen this night before the entrees even arrive.

Make her comfortable. Earn back her trust.

“We don’t have to decide right now. Tell me about your friend that was supposed to come with you. Drew said she was your roommate?”

Gretchen’s face twitches as she reaches for her wine glass. Sheempties it in three gulps before placing the glass back on the table and bringing a fist to her mouth as she forces the last bit down her throat.

God,I must be batting a negative thousand at this point. I cock my head, concern mounting. “Gretch, what’s going on?”

Cheeks flushed and hands trembling, she swipes the wine bottle and pours another glass. I reach out and lay a hand over her arm before she can toss it back.

“I’m not going to watch you get yourself drunk just so you can avoid talking to me. Tell me what’s going on. Please.”

I follow her gaze to where my fingers have circled around her wrist.

She pulls her arm away, whispering, “I lied to Drew. My roommate was never coming.”

“Okay,” I exhale as I lean back in my seat. “So, the resort, the room…” My voice trails off, thoughts searching. After several drawn out seconds, I lean forward, forearms on the table. “Drew said you split the cost with your roommate and then she had to bail. Butyou’resaying that you paid for it all from the beginning?”

She nods. “And before you jump in and demand to pay for half, just save your breath. It’s already done.”

I drag a hand down my face. Five nights at that resort must have cost her a fortune. She’s fresh out of college and not even working yet.

“Why plan a trip, fake your friend bailing andthenask Drew to come?Why not plan the whole thing together and split the cost?”

“Because…” Her voice fades, eyes glassy. “Ineeded to plan this trip. I didn’t want his input or his questions. I needed to do this for me, on my terms.” She shakes her head. “And it wasn’t about the money. I’d been planning this for a long time and I always imagined being here with…someone else. I love my brother, but he wasn’t my first choice,” she confesses, the last part coming on a hushed breath.

Jealousy that I have no right to feel burns inside me. “Who was your first choice?”

She reaches for her wine glass, her answer hidden behind lowered lashes. “It doesn’t matter,” she says.

“Gretch.” I duck my head, begging for her to look at me. “What is this all about?”

I think she’s hiding something.The apprehension that stirs in my stomach morphs to dread the longer she doesn’t respond.

“It’s not a vacation,” she finally says to the napkin in her lap.

---