Temptation on Ocean Drive - Jennifer Probst Page 0,109
she’d been passive in a way to feel in control. Funny how losing Gabe had finally led to her greatest lesson of all.
Control was simply an illusion. No one knew what would happen in the future. It was today that was important. And she realized it was up to her to make the changes she wanted.
Taking a deep breath, she picked up the phone and dialed Daisy’s number. Her friend immediately picked up. “Hey, girl. How are things?”
“Good. How about you? How’s Andrew?”
Her friend actually giggled. “Really good. We’re going out again this weekend. He’s such a nice guy, Bella! But I’m taking it real slow and just enjoying his company. No talk about what it is or trying to analyze things. That always gets me in trouble.”
“Ditto. I’m so happy for you. Listen, I wanted to talk to you about something important. Do you have a minute?”
“Sure. Hit me with it.”
“It’s about Gabe.”
“Oooh, are you guys back together? Friends with benefits? Or did he do something to piss you off, which means I’ll have to break his kneecaps or hire someone?”
“No, none of that. But I’ve noticed when we were dating, I wasn’t really truthful with you, or myself. And even worse? I let other people guide me on what to think. Especially you.”
Daisy’s voice sharpened with worry. “Are you mad at me for something?”
“No, babe. I’m mad at myself, but I’m trying to make some changes. You see, I’m in love with Gabe. It’s not his body or his hotness—it’s his heart. I tried to tell you we were in a relationship, but I know you never really believed it, and I never tried to really talk to you about it. I screwed up, Daisy. So bad I lost the one man who can love me the way I was meant to be loved.”
“Back up. I think you need to tell me all of it.”
She did. She shared how their relationship had developed over time, her fears and doubts, and finally gave her friend what she should have from the beginning.
The truth.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know,” Daisy finally said.
“I know, and that’s on me.”
“So what happens now? Are you going to try to get Gabe back? Can I help?”
She told her friend what she had done, and silence came over the line. “Is it stupid?”
“No, it’s brilliant. And it’s going to be okay, no matter what happens. I really wish I’d known how you were struggling. You’ve always been my best friend, and I want to be here for you, like you are for me.”
“I know. I’m tired of locking up all my problems and keeping them to myself. I’ll try to do better.”
“I’ll try to listen better. And if anyone says a word about Gabe, I’ll shut them up good.”
She laughed, her heart lighter. “Thanks, Daisy. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
She hung up and tried to feel hopeful, even though she knew it might still be too late. Either way, she wasn’t going back to the scared, passive woman who let others dictate her life.
This time, she was going to fight for what she wanted.
Gabe headed down Ocean Drive and tried to get his happy on. He had a bride who was counting on him to bring it big, and he didn’t want to disappoint her. It’d been a rough week, but he was determined to claw his way back to some sort of contentment, even if it took gallons of cookies ’n cream and pints of tequila.
He winced at the memory. Not the best morning after, that’s for sure. They’d all fallen asleep at his house, nursing wicked hangovers and a sugar high. They’d agreed for the night to be just like Fight Club.
No one would hear about it.
He stopped at the Bagel Time Cafe to grab lunch and go over his packed schedule for the weekend. As he got in line, he nodded at a few locals amid the tourists, wondering why they were staring at him and smiling like they knew something he didn’t. When he got to the counter to order his turkey club, Christina leaned forward, her ponytail bobbing with enthusiasm.
“Oh my gosh, Gabe, I saw the piece in Exit Zero. It’s so good!”
Ah, crap. He’d forgotten the magazine had hit stands today. Great, no wonder everyone was staring. Gossip would relaunch, and he’d be ogled and approached for endless dates like the stud he wasn’t. Could his week get any worse?