Mending (3 page)

“I told you he is so into you, Gabby.  So, are you going to see him again?”

“I know.  I feel better about things to some extent but I’m not sure I can just dive back into a relationship.  He understood, though.  He said that we can start as friends, exclusive friends.”
Gabby giggled remembering the brief moment on the beach where they had discussed other people and how much he had been able to lighten the mood in just a statement. 

“Exclusive friends?”
Sam’s eyebrows furrowed
and she smiled a sideways smile.
“Explain, please.”

“Well, you know, I don’t trust him because I don’t trust anyone.  He knew that there was no way in the world that I would ever trust him if I thought he was dating other people.  And what would be the point of even trying if he
was going to see other people?”

Gabby took a
breath shaking her head.  She cut
Sam
off as she tried to respond. 
“I will just get hurt again.  He understood.  Anyway, he said he’d not been with or dated anyone since the wedding, so it wouldn’t be that big of a deal to him.  Clearly I haven’t dated anyone since Ian, so it’s no big deal for me.  I guess it was good to just say it and make sure it was understood, though.”  Gabby stopped, “I’m rambling, aren’t I?”

“Yep, you’re rambling.”  Sam giggled, winking at Gabby.  “
We both know what that
means, too.”

“
Dang it.
  I really tried Sam. I tried to not feel for him and I tried to push him away every way I knew how, but it didn’t work.  There’s just somet
hing about him and I want more.”  Gabby put her head down.  “H
onestly, it scares the crap out of me.”

“Gabby, there is something so special. I really think he could be the one for you. He brings out a side of you I
’ve never seen and I like it.  Why c
an’t you see that?”

“I don’t know what to think or feel Sam.  All I know is that I had just gotten over Ian and felt like I was in a good place.  I don’t
want to lose all the progress.”  She shook her head.  “Besides,
I think I have a lot of work still left to do on me and I’m not sure I’m emotionally available.”

“Right.
  That’s not all, though.  Something else is bothering you.”

“The other thing that bothers me is that I’m not sure either one of us will be able to go back to just being friends.  We’ve kissed, multiple times.  The first time, I didn’t really kiss him back.
”  Her eyes lit up just thinking about the second time.  “
But the second time, I most definitely kissed him back and I very much enjoyed it.  I don’t know what came over me.  It’s just that I feel this pull towards him and I don’t know that
we’ll be able to ignore that. 
Y
a
know what I mean?”

“I think you’ll figure it out.  It’s probably not going to be easy.  Nothing that’s worth having ever is, Gabby.”

“I know that, but —
” 

Sam interrupted her, “But, you can’t run away from anything that presents a risk or has the potential to require hard work.  I know this and I know that if you do, you’ll never find someone.  Don’t push him away out of fear.”

“That’s almost exact
ly what he said, Sam.” Gabby cupped her head
in her hands and sighed. “Do you know that
he lives in Atlanta?” She only
move
d
her
eyes, giving
Sam a blank stare.

Sam leaned forward and put her arm out on the table with her palm up gesturing for Gabby to take her hand.  “Gabby, I talked to him on the phone, remember?  Of course, I know he’s from Atlanta.  I also know that means he came a long way to find you.
”  She moved her head closer, “Hey,” she spoke tenderly.  “G
uys don’t do that if they aren’t interested in something more.  He’s in this.  He wants to make it work.  If he wanted a one night stand, he could have that in Atlanta.”

Gabby tilted her head
and placed her hand into Sam’s. 
“Yeah, but what if it’
s just the challenge.  You know? 
The
I
want what I can’t have
mentality?” 

Sam shook her head from side-to-side. “It might be, but that’s a lot of effort, Gabby.  Give him the benefit of the doubt.  I don’t know what it is about him, but I really like him.  I think he could be good for you.”

“I’m trying, Sam.  I really am.”

Sam stroked her hand with her thumb. 
“I mean, look at what he did with the whole I don’t have anything to wear situation.  He didn’t let t
hat stop him from taking you out.  H
e just used that as yet another way to show you he cared and he wanted this to work.”

Gabby noticed how Sam’s eyes lit up as she spoke about him.  Gab
by raised one eyebrow and jerked
her head to the side
while shrugging her shoulders.
“Or, it was
just another challenge?”  She sighed putting her head back in her hands
.  “He exhausts me, Sam.  I’m not even with him and he’s exhausting m
e.” She couldn’t contain her nervous chuckle
. 

Sam smiled. 
“Well, are you going to see him again?

“Yes, today.  I get to pick the date.  I thought we could go to my favorite restaurant.  Then, after it cools down some we could go back to the pier and just hang out around the beach, I love it there. 

Sam interrupted her, “But –
”

“Don’t worry.  We’re not going out until later.  He knows I wanted to spend some time with you today.  What do you want to do?”

Gabby’s
mood had turned
enthusiastic as she thought about her second date with Bradley and spending the day with her sister.  As scared as she was about everything, she was equally as excited about spending more time with him.

“Let’s go shopping.” 
Sam got up from the table and pu
t her coffee cup in the sink.  “
I know we are both pretty broke, but let’s just window shop downtown.” Sam stood with her back half turned at the threshold of the kitc
hen and living room.  “
I’m going to shower.  We’ll leave in about an hour, if that’s good with you?”

Gabby had
unwrapped
a Little Debbie cake from the basket in the center of the table. She covered her mouth
as she chewed, “Yep, good for me.”

Chapter 3

January 14
, 2011
~ 12:25pm

The
Present
  ~
 
Bradley

Bradley opened the door as the person on the other side was just about to knock again causing her hand to stop in mid-air right in front of his face.  His mouth dropped and words escaped him as his eyes surveyed the familiar face, but the body was unfamiliar.  She was indeed a very unwelcomed guest.  His brows furrowed and his eyes narrowed as he cocked
his head slightly to the side. 
“Veronica, what can I do for you?”

“May I come in?”

“Now’s really not a good time.”

“I won’t be long, may I please come in?”

Bradley stepped back and held his hand out motioning for her to come in as he shrugged his shoulders shaking his head in disapproval.  All he could think about was the beautiful girl he had in the bedroom and the things he wished he was doing to her.  But,
he had to admit,
he was slightly curious what was so important to Veronica. 

Veronica was beautiful, as usual.  She had perfectly straight blonde hair that was cut in a shoulder length bob, framing her face.  She had bright blue almond shaped eyes that were accentuated with smoky eye shadow and long eye lashes.  Her pouty lips were natural with just a small amount of shine from h
er gloss.  She was dressed in a
pale blue oversized sweater, tight black leggings and knee high boots.  Despite the baggy clothing, he couldn’t ignore the fact that she was very pregnant.

Bradley pointed to her belly while also rubbing his chin. “So, when are you due?” 

Stepping closer to Bradley, Veronica answered, “That’s what I need to talk to you about.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, I have played in my head over and over again how to do this and pra
yed about how you would react –
”

Bradley interrupted her,
“I’m happy for you.  I’ve moved on, I hope you’re as happy as I am.” 

Veronica chewed on her lower lip and rubbed her belly sighing
,
“Is it serious?  You know with the person you moved on with or is it your usual casual fling?” 

Bradley laughed sarcastically
. 
“No, definitely not a casual fling.
  It’s much more than that.  Her name is
Gabby, and she’s actually here.” He pointed to his bedroom.  “
I’d introduce you, but I somehow don’t think that’s a good idea. 
Ya
know, hence the not a good time.”

“Right, sorry.”

“You didn’t have to come all the way here to tell me you were pregnant.  And you certainly didn’t need to worry.  I r
eally am happy for you,
Roni
.  But, I
need to be getting ready.” 

“You asked when I was due.  I’m actually due in March.”

“Wow, you’re carrying the baby well.  I didn’t think you were that far along.”

“Thanks, I guess.  Bradley…
” Sh
e stepped closer filling the gap
between the two of them.

A light bulb went off in his mind and his face turned
white as the realization came over
him
.  He was t
he reason f
or her visit. Shaking his head he muttered,
“No, you said you were on the pill.”

“I was.  They don’t always work.”

He nervously ran his fingers through his hair. 
“Shit, Veronica.  Why are you just now telling me this?”

“I wasn’t sure I was going to tell you at all, but I just thought you should know.”

“
Ya
think?  Damn, your timing is crap.  I need you to leave.  I’ll call you later.  We’ll work this out, but I really need to deal with Gabby and this situation mysel
f.”  He started to walk toward the door.  “
I don’t need you here, especially not today of all days.”

She tilted h
er head while looking up to him.
“Bradley, I love you.  I have always loved you.  I didn’t plan on this, but I am glad it happened.” She leaned in and softly kissed him on his cheek.

Gabby stood at the entrance to his bedroom door.  “Bradley?”

He quickly p
ushed
Veronica
away
and immediately started
across the room to reassure Gabby.
  Veronica’s eyes narrowed as Gabby
started backing away from Bradley, shaking her head.
 

“Gabby, it’s not what you think.  I will explain can you give me a minute please.  Veronica was just leaving.”

Bradley continued towards
her despite her backward motion.
“Gabby, look at me.
  It’s oka
y.” He walked her into the bed. 
“Just sit here and wait.  I’ll be right back.”  He leaned in and pushed her hair back behind her shoulders and kissed h
er on her forehead.  “Wait here.  Trust me,
please.”