James sighs, “You’re making a huge mistake, you know that?”
Yeah, I know. But it's something I have to do.
***
Pulling up to Mel’s house, I put the truck in park, absolutely dreading what I’m about to do, but completely unable to stop it. I had texted earlier to make sure I could come over this evening, and part of me wishes that she would’ve said no.
After gently knocking on the door, Mel’s loud voice yells, “It’s open!” Steeling myself, I huff a sigh and open the door.
Jesus.
Mel’s walking towards me wearing an oversized sweater and leggings, her short wavy hair tossed around like she’s been dancing, and judging from the music coming from the back of the house, that’s exactly what she was doing. She slides her hands up my chest leaning in, before gently placing a kiss on my lips.
With every ounce of my being, I savor the brief kiss, how she tastes, and the feel of her hand on my chest.
The last kiss we would ever have.
She pulls back, looking up at me with those brown eyes I can’t get enough of. “Everything okay?”
Clearing my throat, I walk past her and sit on the couch. Placing my elbows on my knees, my hands fisting together under my chin. “We need to talk.”
Mel immediately joins me on the couch, her hand running over my shoulder and along my back in an attempt to comfort me.
She won’t be touching me like this ever again.
“Gabe, what’s going on?”
My voice catches as I try to speak. “We need to end this.” Mel’s hand immediately freezes in the middle of my back, her sharp intake of breath ringing in my ears. Slowly, she removes her hand completely, turning her body away from mine on the couch.
Her voice is dull in comparison to when I first walked through her door. “You don’t want to do this anymore?” Hearing her words is like twisting a knife in my gut, but I know I have to follow through.
Nodding my head, I explain. “I think we need some space right now. I told you we could do this as long as we didn’t ruin our friendship, and I think we need to put an end to this. Mel,” my voice breaks completely, tears threatening to spill. “I just can’t lose you.”
Neither one of us speaks for a moment, the faint sound of the music she was dancing to playing in the background.
Mel swallows hard, “I don’t want to lose you either.” I look over at her, those brown eyes beginning to overflow with tears. My heart shatters inside my chest. I never wanted to see her cry.
“I just,” I pause. “I just can’t continue this with you.” Mel just nods her head, almost like she’s in shock.
“You were clear from the beginning,” she whispers. “I knew how important our friendship was to you.” She swallows hard, nodding her head. “I respect your decision.”
Taken aback by how quickly she agrees to ending things between us has hurt settling in my chest.
I guess Iwasjust the next guy for her.
Nodding, I stand, and without another word, I walk away from the love of my life.
Chapter 15
Melissa
Losing Kyle was nothing compared to losing Gabe. Nothing. Kyle’s words had cut me deep, yes, but Gabe’s have ripped my heart out. And the shitty thing is, I couldn’t even argue with him. I respect him and his decision too much to try to convince him to stay. Kyle didn’t deserve my words, so I gave him none, but Gabe earned the lack of them.
For the past two weeks, I’ve been dead inside, going through the motions of day-to-day life. Vance has me planning yet another work function, and I’m throwing everything I have into the planning. Anything to keep my mind off of Gabe and the searing hole in my heart.
My life has consisted of work, wine, and crying. So much crying and with no one to talk to, since the one person I would call no longer wants me.
Rationally, I know that he still wants to be in my life, but asmy friend. My heart can’t stand the thought of just being friends with him though. There’s no coming back from the way I love him.
