‘And a little because…’ Gabi scrunched up her face before she carried on. ‘Because I phoned Lee.’
Anna sprang up to a sitting position and stared at her friend. ‘You phoned Lee?’
Gabi drew a deep breath and opened her eyes again. She nodded. ‘I was feeling so low. He didn’t answer and then…’ She looked away, colour rising in her cheeks. ‘I did it again.’
Anna blinked, too stunned to say anything.
‘But I think he changed his number… because the next time it was just dead.’ Gabi’s lip wobbled. ‘I just miss him so much,Anna. I didn’t want…’ The rest of the sentence was lost as she covered her face with her hands and sobbed.
Anna scooted over and put her arms around Gabi. ‘I know,’ she said soothingly as she stroked her friend’s hair. ‘I know…’
Gabi cried for a while, then composed herself, wiping her tears away with the heels of her hands. Anna passed her a box of tissues, and when Gabi had produced an elephant-worthy blow, she turned to face Anna.
‘Do you think he changed his number because of you?’ Anna asked.
Gabi shrugged. ‘He kept saying he wanted to upgrade – his contract was going to be up soon. Maybe he just got a new phone and got a new number? Or maybe he just didn’t want to…’ she swallowed, ‘want to speak to me anymore.’
Anna put an arm around Gabi and pulled her close. ‘Who cares why he did it? You don’t need him. You deserve better than what he gave you.’
‘I know… I don’t want Lee, really. Just being close to someone, not feeling so…’ Gabi sobbed again.
‘So alone?’
Gabi nodded as she wiped her nose yet again.
‘I get that.’
Gabi reached out and stroked her arm. ‘You more than anyone else. And I understand in my head I should move on, but my heart feels joined to him, whether I want it or not.’
‘Like me, you’re just not in that place yet. And that’s okay. Give yourself some time and space to process it all.’
‘Like you have.’
Anna let out a dry laugh. ‘Like I’m trying to do.’
‘You have changed this year,’ Gabi said, nodding. ‘You don’t see it,but I do. That’s why you must give Brody time and space. You just said we can’t push these things.’
Anna dropped back down and rolled onto her side to face Gabi. ‘I didn’t think Iwasn’tgiving him that. I thought I was being a concerned friend.’ She pulled a tissue out of the box in Gabi’s hands and used one, suddenly finding herself teary too. ‘I care about him, Gabs. And I know you think that’s ridiculous, seeing as I’ve never met the man.’
‘I don’t think it’s ridiculous.’
Anna turned to look at Gabi. This was new…
‘If you find someone who makes you feel better, even for a minute, then that’s special.’ Gabi gave a hiccupy laugh. ‘Would you give me his number? I could do with some manly TLC.’
Anna laughed as she was supposed to, but it surprised her how territorial she suddenly felt about Brody. ‘You think I should stop trying to contact him?’ she asked quietly, neatly steering the conversation down another avenue.
Gabi nodded. ‘Yes, for a short time. See what happens.’
Anna sighed heavily. ‘And what if nothing happens?’
Gabi shrugged. ‘You can’t make people do what they don’t want to, or aren’t ready to do. I’ve learned this now.’
Anna shuffled towards Gabi and kissed her cheek. ‘I love you,’ she said, smiling.
Gabi made a disbelieving face, but she smiled back. ‘It’s hard not to. Now…’ she said, pushing herself up to a sitting position and surveying the tangle of shirts they were lying on. ‘What are we going to do about this mess?’
‘I have a plan,’ Anna said.
