Slay Bells - Hildie McQueen Page 0,36
and I called the police?”
She’d probably left the restraining order in another purse, so Gabriela gave up looking. Jeremy motioned to the cell in Randolph’s hand. “Why does he have pictures of you sleeping?”
“Eeww.” Gabriela snatched the phone from Rafael before he could move it away. She began swiping and deleting. “See, this is what’s wrong with men today. You guys can slide right over the line from nice to creepy so easily. I don’t understand why you’re not out there dating some nice girl…or guy.” She turned to Jeremy. “These are old.”
“I’m not gay.” Rafael looked to Jeremy. “Do I come across to you as gay?”
Jeremy narrowed his eyes. “I’m not good at judging that.”
“Right,” Rafael replied with a firm nod as if Jeremy’s reply made his point. “I’ll be on my way. Best be the better person and allow you to move on with your life even if you are cheating on me.”
At the last words there was a gasp from a near-by table. “What are they talking about?” an older woman asked her tablemate.
“The guy in the blue shirt is cheating on the flamboyant one. With a woman,” the woman replied so loudly everyone heard. A server giggled and several others in the room coughed.
“I’m not flamboyant,” Rafael said to the woman. “Why would you say that?”
“You’re wearing pink and the way you stand with your hand on your hip, it’s very flamboyant.”
The other woman nodded in agreement.
“I’m not gay,” Rafael said and glared once more at Gabriela before storming from the restaurant.
They stood awkwardly, unsure what to do next. Gabriela was frozen with embarrassment and at the same time a part of her wanted to burst out laughing.
“Can I start you off with drinks?” a cute blonde asked looking Jeremy up and down.
“Got any whiskey?” Jeremy asked and sat down.
“We’ll take two sweet teas please,” Gabriela said and joined him. “Oh look here it is.” She pulled out a crumpled paper. “The restraining order,” she finished weakly when Jeremy lifted a brow.
“So is your ex gay?”
“No. Well, maybe.”
“Should I ask why you two broke up?”
This was not how she’d pictured the first day with Jeremy in town going. They had dinner plans that night with her parents, Juanito, Mila and her boyfriend. She’d already told them about her decision. It was best Jeremy knew as well.
“We broke up because he’s a weirdo who wanted us to dress matchy-matchy.” She shook her head. “How tacky can someone be?”
“Matchy what?”
“Can we forget about Rafael and talk about us?” Gabriela said, reaching for Jeremy’s hand.
“Mmm. Mmm. Mmm,” the women at the other table sounded off in disapproval and shook their heads in unison.
“Or, maybe we can pay for the drinks and leave. How about a drive through meal?” Jeremy asked standing. He tossed money on the table and took her by the elbow.
Half an hour later, they were seated at her small kitchen table with bags of take out.
Jeremy looked around the apartment. It wasn’t his first time there, but he scanned the surroundings as if it were. “You always keep your place so devoid of decorations. Why?”
“I always knew it was temporary.” She frowned considering it only took a couple hours to move out of her last place. “Sort of.”
“Do you not plan to stay in this apartment then?”
“No. I do not. As a matter of fact…”
The doorbell rang.
“What in the living hell is happening?” Gabriela jumped to her feet and went to the intercom. “What?”
“It’s Nana. I came to help with the packing.”
Gabriela closed her eyes as she pushed the buzzer. Her Nana was obviously confused.
“Packing?” Jeremy came up behind her and kissed the side of her neck. “I was hoping for some alone time.”
“Nana is confused. I don’t plan to pack until after you leave.” He backed away and gave her a confused look.
“What is going on, Gabriela?”
Gabriela threw her hands up. “I’m moving to Montana. I wanted to tell you in a sweet romantic way that I’ve decided to live in Missoula with you and then later at the ranch. I want to get married there too.”
“Why are you yelling?” Her Nana stood at the door. “For goodness sakes, you sound like a crazy woman.” Nana lifted a cheek for Jeremy to kiss and smiled. “Where should I start?
They ended up sharing the meal with Nana and each had a couple glasses of wine.
Nana settled onto the couch and clicked on the television. “I’ll watch my shows. You two young ones do whatever you want.