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I closed my eyes, hoping it would be enough to calm me down.
Gabe could have told me this last week. He’d talked to me over the phone every other night and never mentioned this.
I felt stupid, dressing up for him and in the end he swindled me into a date with Chase. Nevertheless, my heart pumped with fear and eagerness at the thought of being alone with Chase, and I hated myself for it.
When will I get over him?
“Please say something,” Gabe said. “If you want to slap me, I’ll let you.”
I opened my eyes and shook my head. “I wish you had just told me this when you found out.”
“I wasn’t sure if you would understand.”
“That’s bullshit.” I rolled my eyes. “If anybody understood why you would do this it would be me. Just like you, I’m supporting my family. I get that you dream of moving your parents out of South End, and that owning the restaurant would help you do it.”
Gabe’s mother and father were good people with bad luck.
They’d had him in high school, married, and dropped out to work. Over the years, more births filled their house. Gabe had three sisters and one brother. His parents worked hard, sometimes two jobs each at a time.
Going to Gabe’s place was like stepping into warm world of love. They hugged nonstop, always had cheery smiles, greeted me at the door with refreshments, and always inquired about my life.
Eventually, Gabe’s dad was injured during a factory job. A hung-over forklift driver ran into him. He’d lost his leg and had been in a wheelchair ever since.
“I went to my parents about Chase’s offer,” Gabe said. “They both told me not to do it. That I’d lose you and in the end you were worth more than anything the restaurant and its profits could give me. My mom’s pissed at me right now.”
I smiled. “Should I tell her not to worry?”
“Only if it’s true.” He gazed at me with sad eyes.
“It’s true.” I went to him and clasped my hand into his. “You’ve been my friend and spoiled me with gourmet food for years. I’m just mad you didn’t tell me.”
“Would you have still come?”
I stared at the ground. “I’m not sure. Good point.”
“Fuck. You don’t have to do this.” He guided me away from the door, but I stopped him.
“He’s not going to end this unless I talk to him. The more I avoid him, the more I think he’ll figure out ways to get to me.” I shrugged. “It’s time to yank my big girl undies up and deal with him.”
No more running into my apartment before he gets out of the limo and avoiding his phone calls or emails.
The last few times he’d texted me I replied that the next time I would talk to him it would be in hell while it was raining flowers.
He replied with, That’s all?
“Do I still have a chance for a future date or am I pushing my luck?” Gabe asked.
“Let’s discuss that after my thirty minutes with Chase. Then I’ll know what type of punishment you should receive.” I playfully wagged my finger at him.
The grim frown remained on his face.
I sighed and hugged him. “Gabe, don’t worry about it. I’m actually happy I could do this for you. Your own restaurant. Wow! You used to sit on the phone with me for hours telling me how it would look and what you would serve.”
“Like I said, this is bittersweet.” He tightened his embrace.
“How about this. I demand you name the restaurant after me and provide at least one of my favorite dishes on the menu.”
“Done. Your name is already a part of the restaurant.” He pointed to the sign as I pulled away. “For some reason, Chase changed it to this.”
