Page 45 of Bleeding Hearts

“Thank you, thank you.” I smile at the two of them. “So, how is the bride-to-be?” I look over at Lo as she sits down on the kitchen barstool.

“Just really happy and excited. Plus, I’m not just gaining a husband today.” She smiles at me. “I’m also getting a sister.”

“Hell yeah you are.” I smile back at her. “Although you’re my sister regardless of Kaden, now and always. Both of you are.” I smile over at Gabby, who sits next to her.

“So are you, Dem,” Lo says, Gabby nodding her head in agreement.

“I’m feeling extremely left out over here.” Theo crosses his arms as he walks over to stand at the end of the countertop.

“Aw, Alvin, don’t feel left out. You’re our favorite brother.” I walk over, nudging him.

“Our absolute favorite,” Logan adds.

“Definitely the best.” Gabby nods at him.

“You’re all full of shit.” He huffs. “Cute hair. It fits you.” He nods over to me, just now acknowledging it.

“Thank you.” I smile at him.

“Let’s go, bridezilla. I need to start making you beautiful.” He looks to Lo.

“First of all, you’re way more of a bridezilla than me. Second, are you saying I’m not already beautiful?” Logan questions him.

“Oh, shut up. You know you’re gorgeous. We don’t have time for this,” Theo argues back as the two of them disappear down the hall.

“How are you, Gabs?” I turn my attention back to Gabby, still sitting across from me. “I feel like I’ve barely talked to you lately.”

“I’ve been pretty good. Nothing out of the ordinary, just working a lot.” She shrugs with a gentle smile.

“Theo said you’ve been taking a crazy amount of overtime.” I hesitate. “Is there a specific something or someone that’s the cause of that?”

“No,” she answers quickly. “You know me, I’ve always been a workaholic. It’s just my nature.” She laughs lightly, fidgeting with her fingers on the counter as she does.

“So, there’s nothing new on you and the roommate front?” I push, giving her a look like I know she’s full of shit.

“Nothing worth mentioning,” she says. She bites her lip, avoiding my eyes, before sitting up straighter and looking back toward me. “What about you? Any updates on the life of Demi?”

“Oh plenty. Let’s see.” I pause, thinking. “I quit my job, chopped off my hair, got accepted into a culinary convention that I leave for tomorrow. Oh, and I got new high-heeled boots for half off that may be my new favorite things in existence.”

“Oh okay, wow. Yeah, that’s a lot.” Gabby nods, her brows scrunching as she takes it all in. “Well, to start, you quit your job. Are you okay?”

“Honestly, I’ve never felt better.” I sigh happily. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I panicked for a minute, but it was the right decision. I wasn’t doing myself any favors by working there anymore. It’s time for me to put myself and my dreams first.”

“Then I’m really happy for you, Dem. You deserve to have all your dreams become your reality and it seems like a cooking convention is a pretty good way to start.”

“Thanks, Gabs. And yeah, I think so too.” I smile. “I’m just thankful Asher applied for me a few months ago, or else I wouldn’t even have the option right now.”

“Hmm.” A small smile forms on her face, almost like she knows something I don’t. “So Asher was the one who applied for you? That’s really thoughtful of him.”

“He is a thoughtful guy.” I shrug, pulling my hair back into a ponytail. I walk over to the sink to wash my hands before I get back to cooking.

“Really?” she questions. “I never got that vibe from him. He seems more like the type of guy who is only that thoughtful when it’s for someone he really cares about.”

“Well, yeah, that makes sense. We’re really good friends, of course he cares about me. I care about him too.”

“If you say so,” she concedes, although the way she says it makes it pretty clear that she doesn’t believe me. “I should go make sure Theo isn’t torturing Lo. Are you okay cooking, or do you need any help?”

“No, don’t worry, I’ve got this. Go save Lo from bridezilla in there,” I say, and she nods, turning to go find Theo and Lo.

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