Luke wasn’t like Max, but he didn’t treat me badly. He wasn’t a perfect gentleman, but at least…nah. I didn’t want to think of reasons to make him look better than he was. Turning off the ignition, Luke didn’t say a word. The headlights behind us blinded me for a second from a flash of their high beams. Seriously, was that even necessary? We know you are parked behind us.

Stepping out of the car because I knew Luke wasn’t going to open my door, I swung around to see him in front of me.

“Jenna, look. What I said back at the restaurant…I didn’t really mean it.”

“What?” I was confused. Did I hear him right? “Luke…don’t—”

“Please…I was upset. You didn’t want to come with me to San Francisco, and you hardly returned my texts or my calls in New York. Then you called me Max. Who the hell is Max?”

“Luke, please. This is over, and you need to go.”

“Just think about it…okay?” Luke’s eyes were pleading. “I’m sorry that I didn’t call you enough or take you out enough. It’s just that…I wanted someone who was more driven, career orientated, someone bolder, with more self-confidence. Now I see that you are…but in your own special way. Just give me one more chance.”

I couldn’t look at him. It was too late. His words alone confirmed that I didn’t ever want to see him again. He didn’t even see the real me while we were dating, but Max did from the very beginning. When I didn’t respond, he continued.

“I’ll call you later. Maybe we both need to sleep on this.” Without warning, Luke looped his arms around me so tightly I couldn’t break away.

“Luke…I can’t breathe.”

“Sorry. Just think about it.”

Exhaling deeply, because this was how I had imagined this might play out, I focused my eyes on the tree across the street and thought about how I should respond.

“Jenna,” Luke said, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Maybe you’ll change your mind after this.”

When I peered up, Luke’s lips crashed into mine. I was taken aback, and it took me a few seconds to push him away, but his body weight on mine made it difficult. As I struggled to break away, he finally let go. Without a word he got into his car and took off, and I stood there feeling staggered as to how that had happened. I didn’t even enjoy it.

What happened next spun my world upside down…and then some. Max stood frozen, with his body halfway out of the car, his eyes searing with hurt and anger. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out; and to make it worse, my legs were planted to the ground and I couldn’t run to him. All I could think at that moment was how much he had seen.

“Max? I thought you were in New York.” I managed to mutter, and started toward him.

“Stop! Don’t take another step. You were sure thinking of me.”

Before I could say another word, he got in the car and sped away. My heart dropped within seconds of his absence. He might as well have run over it. Feeling the sting in my eyes, I let them fall. And seeing a dozen red roses on the ground where he’d thrown them, I welcomed the pouring tears even more.

Chapter 21

“Are you going to lie in bed all day?” Becky asked, lying next to me. “He’ll come around. After you explain, he’ll know what a fool he’s been…that arrogant bastard.”

With a Kleenex tissue in one hand, I wiped my tears. “I should have tried harder to push Luke away. I should have bit him, or kneed him, but it didn’t come to mind when it happened so fast.”

“I know. It’s not your fault. Men are so stupid. Sure…just run away.”

“The funny thing is, Max and I hadn’t even kissed. We didn’t even go on a date, but I feel such a strong connection to him it’s kind of frightening. I mean…look at me. I’m a mess, as if we broke up after a long relationship.” I let out a short laugh. Sitting up, I blew my nose.

Becky paced to the door and held onto the frame of it. “Nicole and Kate are coming soon. I’m going to prepare a chicken dish. You lay here and mope all you like, but when they come, hell…whatever. Let’s have a moping fest. I have some moping to do myself.”

“Thanks, Becky. Next time I’ll cook. I don’t know what I would do without you. You know that, don’t you?”

Becky ran to me and wrapped her arms around me. “I know. And just so you know, even though you think I’m here more for you than you are for me, you’re totally wrong. You were there for me in college way more than I could ever make up for. You took care of me when I was wasted, you helped me through bad breakups…and don’t forget how you helped me with the classes I almost failed…okay? I’m just glad that we have wonderful friends we can count on. You know what I mean.”

Still holding on to Becky, I nodded. I knew exactly what she meant.

**

“Nicole, Kate,” I squealed, embracing them in my arms.

“Missed you too,” Nicole said, returning the hug, then let go.

Kate, the more affectionate one, kissed me on the cheek and handed me a bottle of wine. “So…tell us all about New York.”

After packing our plates with food and a glass of wine, and water for Kate, who was still breastfeeding, we sat at the table in our usual spots. With all eyes on me, I told them everything that happened in and out of New York.

“Sounds like Max was really hurt by seeing you with Luke,” Nicole said, sticking a fork into the chicken. “I don’t blame him though. If I had been there when that happened, I would’ve thought the same thing. I mean…I’m not siding with him, but he’s been after you for some time, and when he finally gets you…well…you know what I mean. It’s sort of like giving your heart away to have it handled with care and caution, but instead, it gets stepped on, flattened on the ground, squashed, mutilated, ripped apart—”