“Because that’s exactly how I feel as well.” He gave me one last glance and then exited the restroom, leaving me standing there in a daze.
Chapter Seven
“Where have you been?” Alice asked me as I walked out of the restaurant.
“You don’t want to know.” I made a face. “Where were you?”
“You don’t want to know either.” Alice made a face and we just stared at each other for a few seconds.
“Oh Alice. I’m so dead.”
“What did you do?”
“I was in the restr–”
“There you are.” Gabby rushed out of the restaurant. “I’ve been looking for you.” She gave me a disapproving look.
“I’m here. What do you want?” I asked her and looked at the side of her head. I was too embarrassed to look into her eyes. I didn’t want her to see my shame.
“I wanted to say sorry.” She bit down on her lower lip and I looked up at her in shock. Say what?
“Huh?” I looked at Alice who also looked like she was in disbelief.
“I wanted to apologize to both of you.” She sighed. “I’ve been a bitch and been rude to both of you.” She looked into my eyes and I was surprised to see a look of sincerity as she gazed at me. “I guess I’ve always been jealous of your friendship and I lashed out this morning. I shouldn’t have.”
“What?” I said and swallowed hard. Why did she have to choose today to change into a loving and changed big sister? Why did she have to choose the moment right after I’d betrayed her? Why oh why?
“I’ve been rude and mean.” She grabbed my hand. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things this morning or the other day.”
“I, uh, what brought this about?”
“I had a talk with Chett.” She said softly. “He knew about the baby before. And he knows it’s not Xanders.” She bit down on her lower lip. “I’m in a really lucky position to have found a man like Xander.”
“Oh?” I smiled weakly. Please do not say that you’re in love with him now. Please, please, please.
“He didn’t have to take on me and a baby that wasn’t his.” She nodded. “I know that, but I’m so grateful that he is—”
“I’m so excited for you.” Alice interrupted her and I was never more grateful to her than I was in that moment. I wasn’t sure I could stand there and listen to Gabby go on and on about Xander any more without throwing up. “You must be so excited to plan the wedding.”
“Yeah, I am.” Gabby nodded and sighed.
“Must feel nice to know that a handsome man like Xander wants to date someone like you?”
“What the fuck does that mean?” Gabby snapped and I froze at her tone. Alice and I looked at each other for a few seconds and I knew we were both thinking the same thing. Had Gabby really had a change of heart or had someone put her up to this?
“There you are.” Xander and Henry walked out of the restaurant and I avoided his glance as he looked my way. “Did you speak to your sister, Gabby?” Xander asked and I knew that he had put her up to her apology.
“Yes.” Gabby snapped and Alice and I smiled at each other.
“Good.” Xander walked over to me and tapped me on the shoulder. “You had us all worried.”
“What? Why?”
“You just disappeared.” His eyes burned into mine.
“Disappeared.”
“Yes.” He gave me a small smile. “I was worried you had disappeared or fell into a hole or something.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you were.”
“She’s fine.” Alice stepped forward with a frown and glared at Xander. “There’s no need to worry.”
“Okay.” He looked at Alice and back at me and I knew he was wondering why she was being so cold. To be honest, I was surprised as well. I’d never seen Alice look at someone like that before.
“Let’s go and wait by the car.” Alice grabbed my arm and we walked away from Xander. I could feel him watching us as we walked away.
“What was all that about?” I asked her with a side look.
“I don’t like him.” She made a face. “He shouldn’t be playing you and your sister. He’s a dick. I don’t like him trying to rile you up.”
“Yeah, I don’t know what game he’s playing at.” I nodded.
“Just stay away from him.” She looked at me as we reached the car. “He thinks he can have his cake and eat it too, I think not. I mean he was cool for a wedding hookup, but you deserve more than the crap he’s dishing out right now.”