A Convenient Arrangement(46)

“Leo is seeing someone.” Aubrey’s eyes widened, as though she’d just revealed the Pope was getting married. “I mean like really seeing, not just one of those convenient arrangement things he does with models and actresses and heiresses. He’s really going out with someone. For more than a month now.”

Ruh-ro. Oh no. Wow. Gwen’s face heated. She had to leave, right now, because she definitely did not want to hear Aubrey’s uncensored thoughts about Leo seeing someone since that someone was her and—

“After all the press about all the girls, can you imagine a woman actually believing that Leo could be serious about her?”

Too late.

“I mean come on? With as many women as Leo’s dated? Like he’s ever going to settle down.”

Gwen’s heart twisted and thumped. She reached for her ponytail and smoothed her hair over her shoulder. “Oh, I don’t know. Wasn’t Justin kind of opposed to settling down too? Didn’t he play the field for nearly forever until you two reconnected?”

“But he had a near-death experience. That changes a person. Took him nearly dying to realize that life was more than a string of nameless, faceless girls, and even then, if not for Max—well, who knows what would have happened to Justin? I don’t know that we would have crossed paths otherwise.” Aubrey rested her hand on her belly and gave a tiny smile. “I want to believe that I’m his one and only and that I changed him, but who knows, really?”

“You don’t believe in true love?”

“Of course I believe in true love,” Aubrey said. “I’m madly in love with my husband and have been since the first time I met him, but it took us so long to find each other again and be together. Justin nearly died before he understood that making a family was the thing that was going to make his life complete.” A long sigh passed over Aubrey’s lips. “I just don’t think that Leo is built that way.”

Gwen’s chest tightened. Of course Aubrey would never intentionally hurt Gwen’s feelings, and it was completely unfair that Gwen was privy to Aubrey’s uncensored thoughts about the idea of Leo dating, and yet, Gwen was thankful for the naked honesty. She exhaled the long breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding as she zipped her computer case closed.

Gwen’s best friend had just confirmed Gwen’s fears. That when Leo’s “relationship” with her exploded into a million smithereens, not only would she lose Leo but she’d also be fodder for countless gossipy conversations. Worse, she feared she’d also lose her best friend in the process.

“I hear she’s pretty and has her own business,” Aubrey continued, “which is completely out of character for Leo. Justin says he’s been spending all his time with her. One day”—Aubrey lowered her voice as if telling a particularly scandalous detail—“he even skipped out of work and canceled all his meetings. So whatever this girl has must be special, because while I can’t imagine Leo settled down, he definitely seems to have a thing for her.”

Gwen smiled. Yes, he did have a thing for her and she had a thing for him. Such a big thing that she was afraid she might even call it the beginning phases of love.

“So we’re set for Saturday then. You’ll come to Sunday dinner the next day, right? Why don’t you bring the guy you’re dating, and I’ll make Justin convince Leo to bring the woman he’s seeing. Then we could all meet everyone. I mean, you’re not bringing your guy to the shower, and Leo’s said he’s coming alone too—”

The bottom dropped out of Gwen’s stomach. No. Just no. She wasn’t ready, wasn’t certain when she would be ready, no matter what she’d told Leo.

Aubrey went on. “I’ve never really met any of the girls Leo dated, well except the one”

The one? Gwen didn’t really do jealous, but she couldn’t help that heat thrummed around her heart and squeezed at her best friend’s words.

“Trina,” Aubrey said absently, “I think her name was Trina. She worked in mergers and acquisitions at some giant law firm. Again, not really Leo’s type. Went on for quite a while—for him, at least. I actually thought that one had a chance. They seemed perfectly matched—neither of them wanted to be married and they definitely didn’t want kids.”

“Leo doesn’t want children?” Gwen nearly dropped her computer case to the floor.

Aubrey’s smile widened. “Are you kidding? Can you see him trapped in a house with a toddler running around? The man is allergic to anyone under age twelve. I’ll be surprised if we get him to come over to meet his new niece.”