Unfortunately, her peace was short lived because she heard voices a few minutes later. It sounded as if several of them had had too much to drink. Not wanting to walk out while they were there, she decided to stay where she was. She had texted Chris earlier, so she removed her phone from her bag to see if he had responded. She had all but tuned out the ruckus a few feet away when one of them slurred, “Mel, who’s the girl all over Gabe?” Oh my God.
“Is that the one who’s living with him?” another voice asked.
There was laughter, and she instinctively knew it was from Melanie. “Yes, that’s her. I can’t believe she’s still hanging around. Poor, deluded thing, I almost feel sorry for her. She probably thinks she’s special to him.” Her words might indicate sympathy, but her tone was full of sarcasm.
“She was flirting with Gabe and Jason. Maybe she’s doing them both.”
“That would explain the slutty red dress.”
“If I were her, I’d have picked something a little more figure friendly. She looks as if she has a good twenty pounds on Gabe.”
Sara didn’t know who the other hurtful comments were from, but once again, she recognized Melanie’s voice. “What’d I tell you? I’ve been around him long enough to realize it’s Army first and everything else last. But how can you have such high work standards . . . and rock-bottom personal ones? I mean, aside from her appearance, she’s also very unkempt. The day I met her, she was covered in dog fur. She even let that mutt of his lick her in the mouth.”
“Ugh, that’s nasty. Don’t worry about it, though, honey, we’ve all given a few mercy dates. Aren’t you glad you dumped his ass?”
“Looks like he’s found the perfect woman for him now.” One of them cackled so loudly, it hurt Sara’s ears.
“Exactly. I’ve moved on. He was never anything more than a stepping-stone for me. Now Jared, he’s on the fast track—and I’ll be along for the ride. I’ll be a colonel’s wife by this time next year.”
She heard the sound of the door opening, then their voices faded away. The quiet was almost oppressive now. Her chest was so tight, she felt as if she couldn’t breathe. When dark spots began to dance before her, she knew she was going to pass out unless she got control. Picturing Melanie and her friends standing over her should that happen was the only thing that centered her. She stood up on shaky legs and forced herself to inhale slowly. She didn’t know how long she’d been gone, but it had obviously been a while.
GABE: Angel—where are you?
She knew he wasn’t to blame for what happened in the women’s restroom, but facing him now was the last thing she wanted. There was no way she could go back out there and sit for hours while pretending to be okay. Because she was far from that. The happy glow of the last few days was ruined, and she needed space to process.
SARA: I’m in the bathroom. Not feeling well.
GABE: I’ll collect our coats and be right there, sweetheart.
Much like the man himself, his response was perfect. Which somehow made it even worse, with her own self-confidence in tatters.
There’s no way he could love me. They were right.
She had barely processed that depressing thought when he sent her another message.
GABE: I’m outside the door. Do you need me to come in and help you?
SARA: No, I’ll be right out.
She quickly washed up and attempted to steady herself. She hoped that he would attribute her pallor to illness rather than what it really was. I don’t want to face him. Should have never come.
His eyes were full of concern when she stepped out. She had to blink back tears when he extended a hand to feel her forehead for fever. “What happened, Angel? Should we stop at the emergency room?”
She looked away, hoping he couldn’t see the truth. “It’s—probably something I ate. Could we go now?”
He put his coat on, then helped her do the same. His arm went around her shoulders, cradling her gently against him. “Absolutely. The valet should have the truck waiting out front.”
They were almost to the front door when Jason stopped them. “Hey, you all right, Sara?”
Please let me get out of here. She knew she didn’t have to pretend to be sick because she sounded so shaky when she said, “Just—want to lie down. I’ll be fine.”
“Call me if you need anything, brother,” he said in a voice devoid of humor for the first time that night.
She glanced up briefly when he said good-bye, and wished she hadn’t. He knows. Which seemed impossible. Yet it was there, as he studied her thoughtfully. She turned away, not wanting her face to reveal more. The trip home seemed endless. Luckily, Gabe suggested she put her head back and close her eyes, which she did. Even so, she could feel his gaze on her at times during the drive. She knew he was worried, but short of telling him exactly what happened, there was nothing she could do about it. And that was something she wasn’t ready for yet—if ever. She knew it was simply the opinions of a handful of mean women. Yet their arrows had struck every weak spot that existed in her armor.
“We’re home, Angel,” Gabe said softly as he rubbed her arm. He came around to her side and helped her out. When they walked into the kitchen, Trouble barked in excitement from his kennel. As if sensing something amiss, he quieted after a few whines. “Let’s get you changed, then you can lie down, sweetheart.”
“I’m going to wash my face and go to bed,” she murmured. “Really, I’ll be just fine.” She forced herself to lift her eyes from his chest, to his face. He was worried, that was clear. And he didn’t like leaving her alone. Please go. Just—go.
He dropped a kiss onto her forehead. “Call out if you need me.” She nodded, and once she’d walked a few steps away, he added, “Thank you for tonight . . . you made this the best event I’ve ever attended.”
She murmured something she hoped he’d take as a passable response and shut her door behind her. She crossed to the bed and sank down on it, expecting the floodgates to open wide. Yet—strangely enough—they didn’t. After barely holding herself together for the last hour, it was almost anticlimactic. She was curiously blank. She had no desire to get up, nor did she fall asleep. Instead, she stared at the wall for over two hours. At one point, she heard Gabe pause in the hallway before continuing on to his room.
She needed her cousin. She still had no desire to talk to Gabe, yet she did want to unburden herself to someone. So she pulled off her dress and tossed it in the corner. She couldn’t imagine wanting to wear it again. They had ruined what she’d once considered so beautiful. Removing it somehow helped to cleanse away some of the pain.