“Do you want it to be?” I asked.
“I want it to be you and me. Only you and me.”
I closed my eyes, feeling happy that he said that. But reality still remained. “It’s complicated.”
“So, you’re gonna stay with him?” he asked, the pain evident in his voice.
“I told you. It’s complicated.”
“No, it’s not. I’m willing to risk my friendship with Kason to be with you. If you’re not willing to get rid of your absent boyfriend, then I know where you stand.”
I couldn’t respond. I didn’t even know how to. He was willing to throw away a lifelong friendship to be with me, but I knew that I wasn’t in a place to shut Gino out of my life just yet. I wouldn’t lie and say it was because I was so in love with him. But our lives were intertwined. My boutique. My condo. I couldn’t just end things. There had to be a plan. And right now, with the boutique in shambles and the money gone, I couldn’t just sever ties. “I’m sorry.”
“Fuck,” he cursed under his breath. “I didn’t think this was how it was gonna go.”
“It’s just bad timing,” I explained.
He sat up, and I moved away from him as he stood up, grabbing his clothes and quickly pulling them on.
“I’m sorry.”
“Stop apologizing. It’s my own fault for thinking…” He shook his head, not bothering to finish his thought.
I wanted to stop him from leaving. I wanted to tell him I felt the same way about him as he felt about me, but it wasn’t fair when I couldn’t give him all of me. I needed to do this right or risk ruining us forever.
17
GISELLE
I stared up at the ceiling in my childhood bedroom. The glow-in-the-dark stars I’d put there years ago were still there.
I hadn’t heard from or seen Thayer since leaving Park City almost a week ago. I guess I hadn’t expected to. We left things so messy. He wouldn’t be the other guy. And I couldn’t even blame him. He was loyal. And he had integrity. I should’ve been shouting it from the rooftops that he wanted me. All those snow bunnies could suck it. But there I was. Still in the same place I was before the trip. Still with Gino, who was states away on Valentine’s Day. Still living a pretty lifeless existence.
I’d told my therapist about Park City. She didn’t make me feel like the cheater I knew I was. I appreciated that. She listened. She let me work out my feelings about Thayer and Gino. She also left me with things to think about: What made me happy? Who made me happy? Who would risk it all for me?
Yes, it was a no-brainer.
There was a knock on my door.
“Come in,” I called as I sat up.
The door opened, and my mom walked in carrying a massive bouquet of red roses. There had to be at least three dozen there.
“Who are they from?” I asked.
“Who do you think they’re from?” she asked, confused by my question.
I jumped up and took the bouquet, noting the tiny envelope poking out. Excitement filled me as I pulled out the card that was inside.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Giselle.
Much love, Gino
I released a disappointed sigh as I placed the bouquet down on my dresser and tossed the card down too.
“Why do you look disappointed?” my mother asked. “Your father only got me a card.”
I forced a smile. “I’m not disappointed.” But I was. Because for a fleeting moment, I thought they might be from Thayer.