Page 74 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
My phone.
“Oh.” I pulled it out from under my butt and the screen lit up, revealing I’d gotten a new message from Gabe.
Gabe
I can imagine. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.
I grinned like I often did when he texted. But as I read his words, my smile fell. I pictured him working at his desk with a drink, and my chest squeezed at knowing he was celebrating Christmas on his own. He would have hated me feeling bad for him, but I wished he had someone to spend the holiday with.
Even if it were another woman?
A burning sensation settled in my stomach as I imagined him having an candlelit dinner with a faceless woman—someone older, smarter, more successful than I was. They could share hisfavorite alcohol because he wouldn’t have to worry about her age and maybe she’d spend the night because they were attracted to each other and there was nothing standing in their way.
A heavy elbow nudged my arm. “What’s wrong with you?” Lonzo asked.
Quickly turning my phone upside down, I smiled. “Nothing.”
His gaze fixated on my phone. “Are you texting that guy?”
“Shh!” I whispered, glancing at my parents to check if they heard him. Luckily, they were busy listening to Jason explain how to use the smart home entertainment system he’d got them.
Lonzo glowered at me. “What happened tohe just drove me to Atlanta because of Ate?”
“Lonzo, not now,” I hissed as my stomach full-on rioted.
“If Papa knew?—”
“I said,not now.”
“Lu.” Ate got up from the sofa where she’d been sitting next to Jason. “Can you come with me to our room real quick?”
Jumping to my feet, I said, “Sure.” As we left the living area, I gave Lonzo a look of warning that I hoped would keep him quiet.
“You okay?” Ate asked, concern furrowing her brow.
“Yeah, Lonzo’s just giving me a tough time over Gabe.”
“Why, did something happen with him?”
“We were texting and—” The vision of him with that imaginary woman returned to my mind, and I shrugged it off. “I’m just sad Gabe’s alone for Christmas.”
Ate nodded slowly. “I checked with him earlier, and he said he’s catching up on work. That’s his default mode, but at least he made birthday plans for a change.”
“I guess so,” I murmured, biting my lip. “Anyway, do you need my help with anything?”
“Ah, no—you just looked like you needed an out. But there’s another gift for you in the closet.”
I paused with my hand on the doorknob. “You didn’t have to get me another one.”
She seemed to be fighting back a grin. “It’s not from me.”
Huh? Who . . . ?
My eyes grew round as it hit me.
No. He didn’t.
“I need to pee,” she said, leaving me to open the door to our room in a jittery haze.
