-Sure, just let me know what time, k?
To Dorian, 9:42 P.M.
-I love you too, though I wish you weren’t leaving. What’s going on? Please email me as soon as you can. And be safe. Come home soon.
After getting ready for bed, I stay awake for as long as my heavy eyelids can stand, hoping for the reply text from Dorian that never arrives.
Chapter Sixteen
“That’s all you’re eating?” Jared asks with raised brows.
I look down at my lightly dressed chopped salad. “Just not really hungry, I guess,” I shrug.
“Don’t tell me you’re trying to lose weight. You already have a smokin’ bod. Does Dorian like his women boney or somethin’?” Jared asks, letting his eyes fall over the length of my body draped in tight jeans and form-fitting sweater, revealing more cleavage than usual.
“No,” I reply shaking my head. “I just haven’t had much of an appetite.” It’s true. Whenever Dorian is called away to Greece, which happens a lot more frequently than I’d like, I can hardly function, let alone eat. I know it’s downright pathetic to be so dependent on him but it’s the truth. Thank God it’s finally Friday and he is expected to get back some time tonight. I need him like I need air; I’ve been suffocating without him.
Jared shrugs. “Well, anyway. I’m glad you could come tonight. Seems like we never get to hang out like we used to. So what’s up? What’s new?” He takes a big slug of his soda, regarding me with questioning green eyes. “Holy shit, Gabs! When did you get another tattoo?”
I look down at my right hand, at the little blue anchor that now occupies the space under my thumb. “Oh, that. Yeah. Just a little something I got a while ago. Has it really been that long since we hung out?”
“I guess so,” he replies with another shrug. And it has been. The man that sits before me hardly resembles my best guy friend. His auburn locks are styled much like the young heartthrobs featured on magazines and in music videos and his wardrobe has gotten a major style upgrade. Jared has always been a looker but in his designer jeans, fitted tee and leather Moto jacket, he looks more GQ than soccer jock. And as much as it pains me to admit, Aurora has good taste. Jared is looking hotter than ever.
“How’s life at UCCS treating you these days?” I ask, hoping to distract my mind from the obvious weirdness lingering between us.
“Great. I really like it there. Everyone is really cool. Obviously I’ve been busy as hell with soccer but it’s been awesome.” He bites into his massive bacon burger, chewing slowly before grabbing his soda to wash it down. “And the store? How’s it going?”
“Good. Sales are better than ever now that I’ve incorporated some different styles and local designers. And Carmen is doing great. She’s a huge help.”
For the next hour, Jared and I try to make idle chitchat to fill the uncomfortable distance between us. I just want to press pause and rewind to a time when things were seamless and easy. We were once so close, kindred spirits even. We could talk for hours about absolutely nothing and when we’d run out of things to say, we could be comfortably silent. As long as we were together, everything made sense. But as I stab my salad at our once favorite restaurant, I realize that I’ve lost my best friend. Jared Johnson is a stranger to me.
“Well, I guess I better get to why I asked you to come meet me tonight,” Jared says after our empty plates and glasses have been cleared. He pulls a navy blue velvet ring box out of his pocket and sets it on the table in front of me. I look up at him with shocked, unblinking eyes.
“Jared…is that what I think it is?” Holy shit! Is Jared about to propose? My heart is beating out of my chest, and I’m not sure if it’s from excitement or immense fear. Maybe a mixture of both.
“It is.” He reaches over and opens the tiny box, revealing a glimmering princess cut diamond fixed on a white gold band. “Dealing with what happened with my mom and realizing that our loved ones can be taken from us at any moment, I decided to stop delaying the inevitable. I know what’s important to me now, Gabs. And I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid to take that step.”
I try to swallow, but my mouth is suddenly bone dry. I reach over and grasp my iced tea with a shaky hand, downing it in seconds. “What are you saying?” I whisper as soon as I’ve regained my voice.
“I’m saying that I’m ready. I’m ready to take a leap of faith and start my life with the woman that I love.” Jared smiles at me brightly, his emerald eyes gleaming brightly with adoration.