Page 92 of One Day Like This (Excess All Areas 1)

Izabel glared at the glass of prosecco in her hand, worried that she might snap the stem.

“Perhaps in future,” Gemma continued, “you could just tell me I’m being an arse instead of letting it build up.”

“I worry about saying something, though. It just feels easier to just do it.”

“Well don’t. We’ve been friends too long for it to be an issue. So, is this what you wanted to talk with me about?”

Izabel shook her head. “I’m in love with Matt.”

Gemma looked at her, slightly shocked. “I’m not sure why you think this is news. You’ve been in love with him since you were in your teens.”

Izabel took a sip of prosecco, then another. “Yeah, but this is ... shit. I’ve been seeing him.”

Gemma’s eyes went wide. “What? Since the wedding?”

“Yes. Well. No. At first, he was all stoic about the weekend and it only being a one-night thing. Well, two nights. Then a week and a bit later, he helped me with a delivery that got dumped on the driveway, and the next thing I know, he’s dry humping me against the wall and my tongue needs surgical removal from his mouth.”

Gemma didn’t say a word, she simply chugged half of her glass. “I’m glad I got a bottle.”

“Glad you find it funny.”

Gemma laughed. “It’s not funny. It’s hot. You shouldn’t have screwed Jase. Chalk that up to one too many drinks and a major lapse in judgement. And as for Harry ... Look, I know he’s my brother-in-law, but he’s a box of wet cereal who fancies himself as a player. You picked him because he was safe, because it meant we could all go on dates together, not because you truly loved him.”

Izabel glared at her friend. “That’s not fair. I did love him.”

Gemma placed a hand on Izabel’s knee. “You loved the idea of him. You loved the idea of moving on with life. Of finding someone, of falling in love and moving in together. Of having friends over for dinner and decorating a home of your own. And you needed security, because Lord knows there has never been enough of it in your life. But none of that is real, deep down in your bones, love ... and you know it.”

Her words hit hard.

Was that what she’d needed? Had she spent too much of her time looking for security? With Harry, she’d had a home and boyfriend and enough money, but ...

“Stability is important to me. I feel like most of my adult life has been transient. And now I’m sneaking around, seeing Matt when I can, when Luke isn’t around.”

Gemma paused with her glass halfway to her mouth. “Luke doesn’t know?”

Izabel shook her head. “Matt’s convinced he’ll lose his shit like he did with Jase. He wants to wait until the fundraiser is over and then tell Luke and the band.”

“So, the two of you have been sneaking around for two months?”

“Do you have to make it sound so shady?”

Gemma raised an eyebrow. “Listen. I’m the last person to judge anyone. You’ll remember I had two boyfriends in parallel for most of my late teens. But at least be honest with yourself as to how other people will see it.”

Izabel tipped the last of her glass of prosecco toward Gemma, who kindly poured her another glass. “You don’t think Luke will take it well?” Iz asked.

“No. Not to begin with. He’ll overreact and be all dramatic about it. But, I think he’ll come around eventually. He and Matt have been friends forever. I’d be more worried about Jase, given it was Matt’s name you called out, even if it’s not about you anymore. Brothers tend to be territorial about shit like that.”

“Urgh. This all sucks.” Izabel flopped back in her chair and nursed her second glass. Without food in her stomach, the first glass was already making its feeling known in her feet.

“Speaking of sucking ... Matt? Bed? I’m assuming he’s as good as he looks.”

Izabel burst out laughing. “Jesus, Gemma. Say what you mean why don’t you?”

“Oh, come on. I’m a married woman and living vicariously through my single girlfriends’ love lives.”

“One, you’ve been married two months and are still in the honeymoon period. And two, I know you think nobody noticed, but I totally saw you and Ollie lock yourself in the family toilet on your wedding day and stay in there for a solid fifteen minutes. So don’t give me shit about your dwindling love life.”

Gemma grinned. “Ten minutes was him trying to battle through the layers of my dress. The last five was a panic fuck while thinking someone would come knocking. The risk of getting caught spurred us both on. But we were talking about you and Matt. Is he delish?”

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