"I'm sorry."
I sighed miserably.
"I screwed up everything."
She looked at me and shrugged, then offered a sympathetic smile that made my throat burn.
"No big.
I had a great time.
I hope you work things out for the best."
The best thing for me was Gideon.
Had I blown that? Had I thrown away the most important thing in my life over some weird, inexplicable head trip?I still felt Brett's mouth on mine.
I scrubbed at my lips, wishing I could erase the last half hour of my life as easily.
My anxiety made it feel like it took an eternity to drive Shawna home.
I got out and gave her a hug on the sidewalk in front of her apartment building.
"I'm sorry," I said again, for both earlier and then, because I was dying to get to Gideon - wherever he was - and I was afraid my impatience showed.
I wasn't sure I'd ever forgive Angus or Arnoldo for taking me away when and how they did.
Arnoldo hugged Shawna and told her that she and Doug had a standing reservation for Tableau One anytime.
I softened a little toward him.
He'd taken good care of her all night.
We climbed back into the limo and set off for the restaurant.
I curled into a darkened corner of the seat and cried silently, unable to contain the flood of despair overwhelming me.
When we arrived at the restaurant, I used my tank top to dry my face.
Arnoldo stopped me from getting out.
"Be gentle with him," he scolded, staring hard at my face.
"I have never seen him the way he is with you.
I can't say you are worthy of him, but you can make him happy.
I saw that myself.
Do it or walk.
Don't f**k with his head."
I couldn't speak past the lump in my throat, so I nodded, hoping he could see in my eyes how much Gideon meant to me.
Everything.
Arnoldo disappeared into the restaurant.