“That’s exactly it,” I said. “They go way back. She’s retired now.”
“Ofcourse,” Lila said, sounding sincere. “People just love gossip.”
“Yeah,” Audrey agreed. “Scandal sells. I mean, and just because you havehistorywith someone, it doesn’t mean you’re automatically getting back together every time you go out.”
Ah. Was it that obvious, judging by a single photo, that Stefan and Anja had been an item? Or was it just blatantly apparent that they were still attracted to each other?
Lila went on, “I’m sure he’s totally over her. I mean, he’s married to you now, right?”
“Right…” Except I didn’t know how much longer we might be married for.
My chest felt tight, and it was getting hard to breathe. I could feel a full-blown panic attack coming on.
“What’s going on here?” a familiar voice interrupted.
Gavin stepped into the center of the circle, breaking up our little group, and my tunnel vision instantly cleared. I had never been more glad to see him.
“Catch you later, Tori,” Lila said, scooting off arm in arm with Audrey. “Don’t let the fake news get you down.”
“Call me if you need anything,” Diane said, hanging back just long enough to give me a tight side-hug and leave a cloud of patchouli lingering in her wake.
The rest of the other students all seemed to scatter as well, and then Gavin and I were alone in the hallway. The moment the coast was clear, I dropped the smile I had been forcing.
“What’s wrong?” Gavin asked, drawing me toward a quiet corner nook and squeezing my shoulder gently.
My friends seemed to buy my cover story, but I couldn’t fake it for him, too—and I knew I didn’t have to. If anyone would understand, it would be Gavin. Stepping closer, I pressed my forehead against his chest, letting him hold me as I took several deep breaths. There was nothing I could do to erase the image of Stefan and Anja and their son. Every time I closed my eyes I saw the three of them, smiling and happy together.
“Are you okay? Did something happen with KZ?” Gavin asked in a whisper, stroking my back. “Talk to me. Is something going down?”
I leaned back, grateful that I wasn’t crying. “Yes and no. Last night we went to see him. We were supposed to have dinner and talk. But when we got to his place—there was no talk. Konstantin found Stefan’s old girlfriend and brought her there,” I said.
Gavin frowned, looking confused. “Okay,” he said slowly. “So what happened?”
“She had her son with her,” I continued. “He’s…Stefan’s son.”
His eyes went wide. “Holy shit.”
I took another deep breath. “Stefan has been searching for her for years. She disappeared when he was seventeen, but he had no idea that she was pregnant. That he had a son.”
As I recounted everything that had happened in the past day or so, Gavin listened silently, his face full of concern but nonjudgmental. I detailed everything, from Konstantin springing Anja and her son on me and Stefan, to the conversation they’d had last night that I hadn’t been around to witness, all the way up to the paparazzi photo that was now showing up on the gossip sites that seemed to show Stefan stepping out on me. The only part I left out was the emotional, sexually charged night I’d spent with my husband. Even if Gavin was over his crush on me, he still wasn’t the person to confide in about that particular aspect of my life.
When I was done, he walked me to the coffee kiosk and bought me a chamomile tea. Then he led me outside and sat me down on a nearby bench where we wouldn’t be disturbed. He took a breath and then reached for my free hand.
“Can I be honest with you, Tori?” he asked, squeezing my hand between his.
I nodded, sipping the hot drink, not sure if I really wanted to hear what he had to say.
“You know I’ve never been the biggest fan of your husband,” he began.
“Yeah. I know,” I said, laughing wryly.
“And selfishly, part of me hopes that things don’t work out, just so I can finally have a chance with you.” He cleared his throat and looked me in the eyes. “But I gotta say, when I talked to him myself, it was obvious that he cares about you very much.”
My heart leapt.
“So, as your friend, my advice is to just talk to him.” He said this almost grudgingly.
“Really?” I managed. Gavin’s words were reassuring, and unbelievably touching. He was a true friend—one who really cared about me, even if it meant we’d never be anything more.
