Page 82 of Visions of You

Despite my best intentions and our pact, I had fallen for him. I only now realized how much—when I was faced with the obvious truth that he hadn’t. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he let me know he was leaving? Or answer my texts?

Because we had an agreement. Exclusive but not serious.

And once again, I’d fallen in love with the wrong man. Even though Gabe had been crystal clear about what he was after. I couldn’t blame him for this.

It was all on me.

I triedto participate in the book discussion, but I couldn’t concentrate. Liv sat next to me and fortunately made up for my quietness. The book was a rom-com about a fake relationship, and she loved it. All I could think about was how I should find a tattoo parlor and have a giant L tattooed on my forehead.

In my pocket, my phone buzzed silently. My heart pounded, and I couldn’t resist sneaking it out for a quick peek. The text bubble on the lock screen said it was from Gabe. I swallowed hard and opened the app.

Gabe: I’m in Miami. We’ll talk when I get home.

I stared bleakly at his words. What was I expecting, a declaration of love? That he missed me and couldn’t wait to get home? An apology for waiting almost twenty-four hours to answer?

Any of the above.

Which made me nothing but a fool.

With a deep sigh, I shoved my phone back into my pocket and took a healthy swig of white wine.

When the meeting ended, I got up and headed toward the door, smiling mechanically as I said my goodbyes. I moved down the cement walkway, my steps halting.

“April! Wait up!” Liv hurried behind me, her curvy figure enhanced by a flowing purple top and black capris.

I halted and waited for her to catch up.

Her eyes bounced over my face. “Are you okay? You hardly said a word in there.”

We walked side by side, the leafy green trees keeping most of the light rain off. “I’ll be all right. Just some real-life romantic problems.”

Liv slid an arm around my shoulders. “Come on. You sound like you could use someone to talk to. I know just the place.”

A few minutes later, we sat down in a booth at Conch Republic Brewpub. The bar and grill sat at the southeastern edge of Dove Key, with a wide view of the ocean. The bluff of Calypso Key was visible too, the Big House obscured by hedges. The section of the restaurant we sat in was open to the air, with an aluminum covered roof. The fresh scent of rain blew toward us occasionally. Both of us ordered one of their Queen Conch IPAs brewed on site.

Liv stared at me after our pint glasses were delivered. “Things aren’t going well with Gabe anymore? When I saw you with his daughter in the store, you looked like the perfect family.”

“I just got a rude awakening today. I screwed up—Gabe and I had a pact not to get serious. He went to Miami on business yesterday and didn’t let me know. Which would be fine if we were in a casual relationship.”

Compassion filled Liv’s eyes, and she reached across the wooden table to squeeze my hand. “And things aren’t so casual on your side anymore?”

I barked a laugh that wanted to be a sob. But I refused to let it. “Yeah. I thought I was doing so great this time. Keeping myself from falling in love with him. You met Hailey—she’s incredible. And Gabe is absolutely amazing with her. The last couple months have been sogreat between us, I think my feelings just kind of snuck up on me. Now I don’t know what to do.”

“But you’re hurt because he took off without saying anything?”

“Yeah, I am. He can be grouchy and serious, but he’s also protective and dependable.”

“Maybe he has a good reason.”

I stared at her and forced my fist to unclench. “To just up and disappear? Letting his family know all about it, but not his girlfriend?”

“I agree—that’s pretty thoughtless. So is Hailey staying with his dad?”

I nodded.

“Well, that explains why Gabe let him know. He had to make sure Hailey was taken care of.”

Tears welled in my eyes. I blinked rapidly, but one rolled down my face. “But what if I want to be taken care of? I’m so goddamn tired of being an afterthought, Liv! I’m not even important enough to inform when he leaves town suddenly. We see each other every day! We work together!”

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