, Gemma had been very hesitant. Saying no to the headhunter had been a sort of relief.
“Why?” Chloe demanded, jumping up from Laurie’s chair. “You were perfect for the job.”
Gemma laughed, amused by her friend’s sudden change in attitude. “Just a second ago you were going to strike if I took the job and now you’re angry I turned it down?”
“So?” Chloe frowned and shrugged her shoulders. “I’m a complicated woman. But, that wasn’t a complicated offer. They would’ve paid you double what you’re earning here. I thought you wanted that trip to Europe with your mom.”
It was true, they would’ve paid her a lot more. But in Gemma’s mind, if something sounded too good to be true, it was better to avoid it. Besides, changing jobs and moving cross country meant time and money, something that she didn’t want to risk.
Her mother had just come off of her second battle with breast cancer and second round of chemo. So far, scans were clear, but that didn’t mean they were safe. Her mother deserved a happy distraction. Flying to Europe would be the trip of a lifetime for Gemma and her mom - something they’d always dreamed of. And Gemma was going to surprise her mother with the tickets come Christmas day.
“I’m so close to having enough,” Gemma said with a flurry of her hands. “With our Christmas bonuses coming up, I’ll finally have what I need to take us on that trip. I have to at least see this holiday season through.”
Chloe barked out a laugh and tugged on her thick black braids. “That’s what you said before your car broke down.”
“And your AC busted in your apartment,” Laurie offered.
“Or Scott needed to borrow money to pay his rent,” Chloe continued. “How is the old man, anyway?”
Gemma’s eyes grew wide and she shot them both a guilty look before retreating hastily to her office. They followed on her heels, not quick to give up a line of questioning. Her office was covered in framed black and white nature photography. Her favorite - a snapshot of a gnarled old tree bent from years in the cold and harsh Minnesota winters - hung above her desk. She dropped herself into her chair, avoiding her employees’ glares.
“Did something happen between you two?” Laurie asked, always the first to come to her aid. “A fight? Is this a Ben & Jerry’s kind of day? I can make a quick run downtown and pick up a pint.”
“No, no.” Gemma waved them off. Scott wasn’t important enough to warrant a pint of Chunky Monkey. That stuff only came out in true emergencies. “I’m fine.”
“Did he cheat on you?” Chloe stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, looking ready to hunt him down and give him a beating. “He always had that look about him. I told you, Laurie, didn’t I? He’s going to be sorry.”
“He didn’t cheat on me.” Gemma shook her head at the absurd thought. “In fact, he asked me to marry him last night…”
She had no chance to finish her story. Laurie launched herself into her lap, pulling her into a lung crushing hug that threatened to crack a rib.
“Congratulations!” she cooed. “You’re going to make the most beautiful bride. When’s the big day?”
“We don’t have a day…” Gemma began.
It didn’t stop Laurie from grabbing at her hands and yanking her forward. “The ring, the ring! Where is it? I have to see it.”
“I don’t have it.”
When it was clear that Gemma had no ring in sight, Laurie finally let her go. The three of them stood quietly for a moment while Gemma gathered the courage to speak, afraid of disappointing her closest friends. They’d tossed wedding ideas back and forth across the office, occasionally dreaming of what theirs would look like, but Gemma had been the closest to the actual act. Laurie and Chloe, as beautiful as they both were, seemed to have about as much luck finding a good man as Gemma. It didn’t make sense to her that three women in their late twenties could have so much trouble, but then again, men seemed to confuse her just as much.
“You turned him down,” Chloe finally spoke up from the doorway. Gone was her usual sass, replaced by a soft sympathetic tone. “Cut him loose?”
Gemma nodded, grateful not to have to tell the story.
“And he’s gone?”
Again, she nodded. “Packed up all his stuff this morning. We’re officially over.”
A long moment of silence followed. During her long break-up with Scott last night, she hadn’t shed a tear. Hadn’t felt the need to. But now, she could feel them welling up at the corners of her eyes, ready to spill at the hint of any reproach from her friends. Scott’s anger she could take. But her friends' disappointment was another.
“Well, it’s about time,” Laurie said, breaking the silence. She beamed at Gemma, her green eyes sparkling. “You were always too good for him.”
“Thank God,” Chloe added with a dramatic sigh. “That loser needed to go.”
Gemma’s mouth fell open. Despite the sudden relief flooding her stomach, she felt a little betrayed. “Are you saying you didn’t like him? All this time?”
“Hated him,” Chloe said with a smack of her lips while Laurie nodded in agreement. “Total tool. We just thought he made you happy, so we went along with it. I’m glad that’s out in the air, now.”