Page 101 of Holiday Love
Heat spikes under my skin, rage curling tight in my chest.He knew. He left me and then lied to my face about it.My jaw aches from how hard I’m clenching it, arms tightening around Gina, as if that pressure can hold back the storm inside me. For a second, I want to hunt Anthony down, to make him feel the same helplessterror I did when I woke up in the hospital with my leg shattered, my ribs broken.
There’s the click of a key in a lock. The door to the condo swings open, and Helen walks in. For a second, I forget how to breathe.
This looks bad. I know it.
Me holding my ex-girlfriend in front of my new girlfriend.
I brace myself for the tirade, the accusations. For Helen to demand answers, or at least dramatically throw a candy cane at my head, but instead she rushes over, her eyes wide with concern.
“Gina,” she cries out. “What’s wrong?”
To my absolute shock, Gina turns away from me and throws herself into Helen’s arms, sobbing even louder. Helen staggers under the weight but catches herself quickly. She holds Gina without hesitation, one arm around her shoulders, the other gently patting her back. It hits me then that this is what Helen does. She handles people in crisis. She steadies them when they can’t stand on their own. She’s not just good at it. She’s incredible, and the craziest thing is that she’smine.
This amazing woman choosesme. Wantsme.
My chest swells with pride and with something far deeper as I watch her.
In between sobs, Gina repeats to Helen everything she just told me. Helen’s worried gaze meets mine as she guides Gina gently toward the couch. I trail behind them, then perch on the armrest, hands steepled between my knees.
Gina’s still crying, though it’s softened into hiccuping breaths. “I feel so stupid.”
Helen shakes her head, calm and steady. “You’re not stupid. You’re hurting.” Helen leans toward her and says, “What Anthony did to Teddy wasn’t just immature. It was dangerous.”
“I know.” Gina wipes her nose with her sleeve. “I wanted someone, even if it wasn’t the right one.”
I glance at Helen, and she meets my gaze. There’s this soft, unspoken look between us, something like relief that we don’t have to worry about that anymore. We’ve found the person who fits, the one we can trust.
Helen puts a hand over Gina’s. “Being with the wrong person out of fear or loneliness doesn’t make you weak, but staying after you know better? That’s different.”
Gina gazes sadly out the window. “I get what I need to do. I just hope I can do it.”
I nudge her toe with my shoe. “The fact you came over here proves you can.”
We sit in silence for a moment.
Gina’s fingers twist in the hem of her shirt. She glances between us, then settles her gaze on Helen.
“I owe you an apology,” she says, her voice shaky. “A real one.”
Helen blinks, clearly surprised. “You don’t have to—”
“No,” Gina cuts her off gently. “I do. I was awful to you that day outside your dance studio.”
“What?” I ask, having no idea what she’s talking about. “You two talked? When was this?”
Helen raises a hand without looking at me. “Teddy, please. We’re having a moment.”
I may not always be the brightest guy in the room, but I’m smart enough to know when to stay quiet. I shut up and just listen.
“When I found out you and Teddy were…whatever this is.” Gina waves her hand between Helen and me. “Ihatedit. I told myself it was too fast. That you didn’t get him.”
Gina looks down, shame coloring her expression. “That wasn’t about you, Helen. It was me not wanting to admit Teddy and I were over.”
Helen says nothing, just watching her without a hint of judgment.
“I was cruel,” Gina admits. “You didn’t deserve that. It’s been hard to admit you’re a better match for him than I ever was.” Gina swallows and meets Helen’s gaze. “I just needed to say something about it.”
Helen’s quiet for a long moment. Then she nods. “Thanks for that, and for telling Teddy the truth today. That took guts.”
