Page 58 of The Right Time

Was he okay?

Did something happen?

Did he change his mind about them?

“We can put it on the maybe pile.”

Gabby eyed her critically.

“Everything okay? You seem…off.”

Yeah, she felt off. Things had been out of whack the past week. So much had happened. And she couldn’t even talk to Gabby about half of it because….because…because she was too scared to admit she’d finally found a love she never thought she’d get.

“It’s been a stressful week at work.”

That wasn't a complete lie. Delores was a pain in her ass.

Gabby put the tote back and pulled Mia in for another short hug. “I’m sorry. I know it has to be hard for you with what happened to you this week. I’m a terrible friend. I’ve barely been there for you besides hollering at you for not telling me. We haven’t talked much this week at all.”

“You’re not a terrible friend. I’m okay, I truly am. I’ve been so distracted…with work, I haven’t even thought about the robbery.”

Mia almost had to look away at the way Gabby eyed her so sharply. But she refused to act like a coward. She was already lying to her best friend. The least she could do was look her in the eye when she did so. Despite how she thought she did a good job reassuring her, Gabby still looked troubled.

“I swear, I’m fine.”

Gabby nodded. “I know. I believe it. It’s just…I have a secret and I don’t know if I should tell you. But it’s gutting me keeping it to myself.”

Okay.

Odd.

They were both keeping secrets. What could Gabby possibly be holding back from her?

“I don’t want you to ever feel like you can’t tell me something.”You’re one to talk, Mia. You should share your secret, too.

“I know it’s a sensitive subject. I try not to bring it up because I know it makes you uncomfortable.”

There were only two things that made her uncomfortable: talking about her dad—in any capacity—and recently, talking about Jaxson.

“Spill it. I can handle it.”

Gabby drew in a deep breath and then let it spill. “Jaxson’s seeing someone. I don’t know who because he won’t tell me, but he is. The hickey on his neck was enough evidence.” She rolled her eyes. “I know you say you don’t want to date him, but I always thought…” She shrugged. “I always thought you two would make a perfect couple.”

Mia was the worst friend in the entire world. Here was her chance to spill the beans and the words were stuck. She couldn’t even form a simple ‘wow, thanks for telling me.’ Nothing would form.

“Say something.”

“Something.”

They both giggled, and it instantly made Mia feel a fraction lighter inside. Not by a long shot, but enough to get her through the rest of this awkward conversation.

“I get it. You don’t want to talk about it, and we won’t. I wanted you to be aware in case—whenever he confesses who the woman is—that she might come around or something. Because I will get it out of him sooner or later who this mysterious woman is.”

It’s me. I’m the woman.

That’s all she had to say. So, so simple.

Hell, Gabby would be over the moon she said yes to his crazy proposal. Well, after she got over being mad for the lying bit.