Read Just Beginning: A Prequel to Just Destiny (Destiny #1) Page 40
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Jenny slowly walked across the driveway. Steve was pretty testy for a guy about to propose to the woman he’d wanted to share his life with. He’d bitten her head off just because she pointed out the folly of marrying Annie. She’d done what any good friend would do.
Jenny passed through the hedge and crossed to where Gabe waited by his car.
Gabe smiled, hugged her close, and kissed the crown of her head. “What’s up? You look like you’ve lost your best friend.”
I may have. Jenny frowned. “Steve kicked me out of his house.”
“What’d you do?”
Jenny pulled out of his arms and glared at him. “Why do you assume I did something?”
Smarter than to answer that, Gabe patiently waited for her answer.
“Steve’s going to propose to Annie.” Bewildered, a sense of loss swamped Jenny, replacing her earlier disbelief and anger. Like she’d thrown up before being hustled onto a tilt-a-whirl.
“And this is a tragedy, because...” Taking her hand, Gabe walked her around the house to the privacy of their backyard.
She scowled at him. Really? You have to ask?
“It’s Annie. He doesn’t love her, and she doesn’t love him. She’s just using him as a daddy for her children, she’s stupid and shallow, and she’s got a big ass. They’re not right for each other.” Jenny wound down.
“That’s your mother talking.”
Jenny’s head whipped up and her eyes narrowed in battle. “What?” she drew out in a low voice.
“Sorry, but you’re acting like your mother. Don’t you think you’re being a little presumptuous judging them unsuitable? Just because you don’t like Annie, doesn’t mean she’s not right for Steve.”
“I don’t hate her,” Jenny mumbled, as she dropped into a metal bouncy chair.
Gabe crossed his arms over his stomach and laughed loud and deep. “Oh, yes you do. Admit it; you’d be thrilled if you never had to lay eyes on her again. Annie’s a little superficial, and self-centered, but she’s not that bad.”
“She’s a... a... a—”
Gabe’s smiled faded. “Careful, you’re starting to sound jealous.”
She deflated and looked at Gabe. “You’re right; I do hate her. She just doesn’t fit.” Jenny thought about how to explain it. “You, me, and Steve...we have fun together. We get along great. We like the same games, same restaurants, same taste in movies, football, tennis... We’re like the three Musketeers. There was no fourth Musketeer.”
Everything would change—was already changing.
“We can make room, if she’s who he wants.”
“But she’s loud. And she’s always late. And she dresses him to look like an idiot. And—”
Gabe laughed. “I agree, Annie’s annoying. But apparently Steve sees something in her we don’t. Besides, we were bound to pick up a fourth Musketeer someday.”
But not her.
“Fine.” Jenny deflated, then brightened. “He can marry somebody else—anybody else.”
Gabe chuckled. “That’s big of you, honey.”
“I think so,” Jenny allowed with an arrogant, regal tone.
Gabe sat down and put a sympathetic hand on her knee. “He doesn’t need your blessing.”
Jenny sighed. “I know. You’re right.” They sat quiet for a minute, then Jenny looked at Gabe. “This is what I get for minding my own business and not fixing him up with one of my co-workers.”
“You’re right, honey, it’s all about you.”
“Maybe he won’t actually do it. Maybe he said that to get a rise out of me.” She leaped forward. “You think? To get back at me for the posters?”
“Oh, no.” He shook his head. “I think he’ll do it.”