Page 88 of Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars (Rock Canyon, Idaho 2)

“That’s not a good enough reason to kick him out of town.”

“I didn’t tell him to leave town. He did that all on his own,” Gemma said, stirring in half-and-half as she added, “I also might have told him I didn’t love him.”

“You did what?” Gracie shrieked, and a nurse down the way shushed her. Whirling around, Gracie snapped, “Oh, bite me. This isn’t a library.”

“Gracie!” Gemma grabbed her arm and sent the nurse an apologetic look.

“What? She needs to mind her own business. Damn it, Gemma, I was a superbitch to Travis, and now you’re telling me I had no reason to be?” Gracie hissed.

“I didn’t ask you to do that,” Gemma said, stirring another sugar into her coffee.

“Yeah, but it’s the best-friend gig. Someone hurts you, they swim with the fishes,” Gracie said, not noticing that several people turned around to look at her funny.

Gemma shook her head. “God, I made a mess of things again.”

“Yeah, no argument from this corner, sweet cheeks. It wasn’t Travis’s fault that someone leaked the story, no matter that he didn’t tell you about the whole situation. He thought he’d handled it. He was trying to protect you. Those are good things,” Gracie said, grimacing as she took a sip of Gemma’s coffee. “Oh, that is vile. Seriously, it’s like they brewed it in a Porta-Potty.”

Gemma snorted. “It’s not that bad.”

“Says you. I happen to be a professional, and I will give you my expert opinion that this . . . is . . . shit.” She tossed the cup into the trash as they passed.

“What am I going to do, Gracie?” Gemma asked.

“Beg. Barter. Offer unlimited sexual favors?”

“Seriously, have you no sympathy?” Gemma said in frustration.

Gracie stopped her with a hand on her arm. “How’s this? You’re my best friend. I have watched you conquer single momhood and I have supported you all the way, even when I thought you were making a mistake by not telling Travis. I have watched you sit at home like a dateless wonder most weekends and shaken my head, but I have said nothing. Well, nothing much,” she amended when Gemma raised an eyebrow.

“I have seen you pass up and overlook one of the best guys in the world, even though I platonically love him as much as I do you and knew it was breaking his heart. Do you know why I’ve been the epitome of love and support, even when I thought you were batshit crazy?” Gracie asked, her green eyes serious.

“Why?” Gemma asked.

“Because any fool could see that you never stopped loving Travis. Honestly, if I were going to believe in that soul-mate, meant-to-be, there-will-never-be-another, perfect-someone kind of love, it would be with you guys. This is where I draw the line, though. So help me God, if you don’t figure out some way to grow up and work out your issues of inferiority I’m going to demote you to random chick I used to know.”

Despite the tears in her eyes, Gemma’s mouth twitched in amusement. “You wouldn’t do that.”

“Hell yeah I would, ’cause I can only tolerate so much stupid,” Gracie said.

“And what makes you such an expert on relationships?”

Gracie tapped the side of her head. “Those that can’t do, teach, young grasshopper.”

“You are crazy.”

“Crazy brilliant.”

“Okay, relationship master, what should I do?” Gemma asked as they neared Charlie’s room.

Gracie stopped and put her hands on her narrow hips. “Seriously, how many eighties movies have we watched? Grand gesture, woman. No one can resist a gesture of grandness.”

Shaking her head, Gemma peeked in to see her mother sitting next to Charlie, snoring. Charlie’s eyes were still closed, and Gemma frowned. “I hope it’s normal for him to sleep this long. He’s been out for hours.”

“Are you kidding me? The kid broke his arm, not to mention the head bump and other bruises. I’d sleep for a week with the pain meds they gave him,” Gracie said, reaching out to hug her.

“What if he doesn’t forgive me?” Gemma whispered.

“Charlie or Travis?” Gracie asked.

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