Page 17 of Where She Belongs
“Mom, I built a successful clinic from nothing. I’ve been featured in medical journals and national newspapers. I mentorresidents. I raised an amazing daughter who’s about to get married.” I take a deep breath, the scent of plumeria steadying me. “And yes, I made mistakes. Tristy’s father might have been the school’s bad boy, and yes, he died doing exactly what everyone predicted he would, in an illegal street race before Tristy was born. But that doesn’t mean I’m still that girl who needs protecting.”
Through the glass, I spot Gabe now talking to Simon, his jaw tightening at whatever my ex-husband is saying to him. The protective urge to rescue him wars with the need to finish this conversation but I remind myself Gabe can handle himself.
“But his age, anak,” Mom persists. “What will people say?”
I know what she means by ‘people’ and it has nothing to do with our mutual friends like Dax or Harlow, or even the people who saw our viral video. Mom’s talking about their friends and family back home, people who’ll end up judging her by extension. But it’s not my responsibility. I might as well be that sixteen year old they sent back to the Philippines hoping no one would find out I’d gotten knocked up.
“What do I care about what they say?” I straighten my spine, channeling every ounce of Dr. Martin confidence. “People will talk anyway, no matter what I do, so I might as well keep living my life.”
She frowns. “But?—”
“I’m not sixteen anymore, Mom. I’ve earned the right to make my own choices now, even if they’re not the ones you’d make for me.” I soften my voice, reaching for Mom’s hand as I see Gabe finally extracting himself from Simon and heading toward the bar. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to join my date.”
I find Gabe at the bar, his shoulders rigid as he orders what looks like a double scotch. The moment he spots me, his face softens with relief.
“There you are,” he says, his hand settling on my lower back, warm and steady. “Everything okay with your parents?”
“Better than expected.” I study his face, noting the tension around his eyes. “But I’m more worried about you. What did Simon want?”
Gabe takes a long sip of his scotch. “Oh, you know, just reminiscing about all the family dinners I attended at your house, the holidays, the times I’d show up at your clinic or house unannounced.” His jaw clenches. “Apparently, he’s been ‘connecting the dots’ since our announcement.”
I frown. “What dots?”
“According to him, I’ve been in love with you for years.” Gabe’s laugh sounds forced. “He thinks that’s why I never settled down, why I was always around. He even brought up that Christmaswhen I drove three hours in a snowstorm just to deliver presents to Tristy.”
I stare at him. “But that was because you knew she wanted that limited edition soccer jersey from her favorite—” I feel the color drain from my face. “What else did he say?”
“That my ‘obvious infatuation’ with you made him uncomfortable. That he always wondered if something was going on between us.” Gabe’s fingers press slightly harder against my back. “That maybe… he wasn’t the only one who broke your marriage vows.”
“He what?!” I lower my voice as I continue, “I need to talk to him?—”
“Andie, can’t you see what he’s doing?” Gabe says through gritted teeth, turning me to face him. “He’s trying to rewrite history to justify what he did. Classic Simon move, and you don’t need to waltz right into his game.”
As I gaze at Gabe’s expression, no longer playful but something fiercer now, more protective, I realize he’s right. I sigh. “Still, you didn’t deserve that interrogation.”
“Neither did you deserve his accusations.” His thumb traces small circles on my back, probably unconsciously, but the gentle motion sends warmth spreading through my dress. I lean into his touch, grateful for the steadying presence.
“You’re right,” I concede, glancing over my shoulder to where Simon stands, engaged in animated conversation with Tyler’s parents. “But I can’t help feeling responsible. If I hadn’t dragged you into this charade…”You’d be hooking up with someone else right now, complication-free, drama-free.
“Hey,” Gabe murmurs, his voice gentle but firm. “It was my idea first, remember? And besides, Simon’s insecurities aren’t your problem anymore.”
“There you are!” Tristy’s voice breaks through the moment like a splash of cold water. “They’ve finally sorted out the seating arrangements. You guys are at table one with Tyler’s parents and Lolo and Lola.” She glances between us, probably noting the tension. “Dad and Kitty are at table three with Tyler’s aunts.”
“Very diplomatic,” Gabe says dryly.
“I didn’t want any drama during the welcome toast.” Tristy’s eyes narrow at something across the room. “Speaking of which, we should head to our seats. The wedding planner is giving me the signal.”
“After you,” Gabe says, his hands finding its way to my lower back as we follow Tristy to the main table. It’s a gesture we’ll have to perfect over the next few days, along with all our other couples’ routines especially now that Tristy’s post has gone viral.
When I catch another guest sneaking a photo from across the room with their phone, I wonder if he’s going to post it to his social media. I can see the caption as clearly as if it’s already onFacebook: Proof that Dr. Andrea Martin really did land herself a much younger man who, up until a few hours ago, had been gloriously and unrepentantly single, probably looking forward to scoring an evening with a flight attendant.
I sigh, thinking this never would have happened if I hadn’t gone back on my word about being a strong, confident, independent woman attending her daughter’s wedding on her own. But what choice did I have? The moment Simon showed up at the airport with Kitty, the die was cast. I had to take Gabe up on his offer to be my plus-one.
If only Simon stuck to his word about showing up alone. But then, I should have known better. After twelve years of marriage, I should have remembered that Simon’s words always came with fine print.
SIX
Always around.Always available. Always watching her.
