Page 14 of Let Me Keep You

“You can start Monday. Gemma will give you a tour, and then I’ll put you to work. That okay?”

“Fine with me.” That gives me five days to get what I need and settle in.

He stands, and we shake hands again. “Thank you again. I can let myself out.”

“Alright, see you next week.”

We say goodbye, and I make my way to the lobby. The door slams behind me, and Gemma jumps.

“Jesus!” She drops her cell on the desk and holds a hand to her chest.

“Sorry. Didn’t realize it would be so loud.” I tap my knuckles on the counter and lean over. “Who’re you texting?”

She quickly flips it over. “None of your business.”

Chuckling, I shrug. “Hope it’s not that Derrick guy you were obsessed with or I’ll have to kick his ass into the next county.”

Her eyes widen, and for a long beat, I don’t think she’s going to speak. Then she clears her throat, a small smile tugging at her lips. “That was my sophomore year. How do you even remember his name?”

I’ve never forgotten what she said in the letters she sent me, even years later. It’s something I thought a lot about when I was behind bars. When Liam offered to pack my apartment, I made sure he grabbed them so I didn’t lose them.

“Because I remember that little prick made you cry.”

“Well, I’m a big girl now. And he’s married to Maggie. She owns the salon.”

“Wait.” I hold my hands above my head to imitate big hair. “The girl who looked like she used a can of hairspray every day?”

Gemma laughs, then nods. “Yep.”

“Wow. Guess I have some catching up to do.”

“A lot has changed.” Her gaze locks on mine, and neither of us blinks. The tension between us is thick. “I’m engaged,” she blurts, then immediately blushes. “I mean, so you don’t have to go laying anyone out.”

I narrow my eyes, wondering if she’s always this socially awkward or if it’s just with me. “I heard.”

“Right. Of course, you did. I’m sure Everleigh told you.”

“She did. Congrats.” I shove my hands into my pockets.

“Thank you. We finally set a date, so I’m in major planning mode now.”

“That’s great. I’m really happy for you, Gemma. You deserve the wedding of your dreams.”

She stares at me as if there’s something on the tip of her tongue.

“I waited.”

“What?”

Gemma looks away before locking her green eyes back on mine. “After you left, I waited. Years, actually.”

I wasn’t expecting her to say that. My throat goes dry, unsure how I should respond, and all I can muster is an apology. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“Well, how would you? I never heard from you again.”

Fuck.

The hurt in her tone is undeniable, and this is the last place I expected us to have this conversation.