Her jaw dropped. “This. Is. Gorgeous.” She couldn’t wait to show Jesse.
Oh. Shit. Jesse.
“Gimme a minute.” She tried Jesse’s number, but it went to voicemail, so she left him a text.
Friends surprised me for my birthday. Can I get a raincheck for tonight? We’ll stop by on our way to Portland.
She almost addedLove youbut froze, her thumbs over the screen. A strange tingle danced across her skin.Do I love Jesse?Was that why her intuition lit up this morning?
She shook her head. No, her friends’ surprise was the obvious answer. Sorting out her feelings for Jesse could wait twenty-four hours. Maybe some time with her girlfriends would give her perspective. She hit Send and tucked her phone into her pocket, trying to ignore the sharp pinch of guilt.
Olivia, an artist who painted on huge canvases, had brought her Chevy van, and the girls had decked it out in Happy Birthday balloons and streamers. She hopped into the Magic Bus, as they’d christened it, and they headed for Zora’s place where Gemma changed into velvet leggings, tall boots, and her new glittery top.
After greeting Gemma’s friends, Aunt Zora pulled her aside. “Honey, are you sure you want to do this? Breaking a date with someone who cares about you invites bad karma. Knowing Jesse, he’s probably gone to a lot of trouble.”
Her aunt’s warning layered on another scoop of guilt. “As far as he knows, it’s just another Sunday night.” Gemma’s eyes narrowed. “Unless someone told him about my birthday.”
Zora raised her hands, palms out. “Of course we didn’t. We respect your wishes. But still, Jesse’s going to be hurt.”
She closed her eyes and blew out a shaky breath. Aunt Z was right, but what could she do? Her stomach twisted at the thought of disappointing Jesse, but if they had any hope of a future together, he had to understand how important friendship was to Gemma—especially these three who’d comforted her after Caleb said goodbye. Her friends were the family of her heart.
All sparkled up for a night on the town, she climbed into Olivia’s van and directed them to Jesse’s farm. Still no reply to her text. He must have left his phone in the greenhouse or his pickup.
“Mega cute,” Margot said as they rolled up the gravel drive. “Elmer would love this place. Lots of nature, lots of room.”
“And look at that sweet little house!” Sierra pointed. “It’s like a Christmas card.”
In fact, he’d strung fairy lights on the porch. What was that about?
“Are you serious about this guy?” Olivia asked.
“I mean, he’s got potential.”Understatement of the year.
“Is that him?”
Gemma followed Margot’s pointing finger to the herb greenhouse, where Jesse stood in the doorway, a wine bottle in his hand.
“Uh oh. Looks like boyfriend had plans for you tonight,” Margot muttered. “Guys, we shoulda called.”
“It’s okay.”No, it’s not. How am I going to explain?Pulse fluttering in near panic, Gemma opened the passenger door and stepped down. “Let me go talk to him.” She wrapped the cloak she’d borrowed from Zora around her shoulders and trotted toward him.
“Hello, new boyfriend,” Sierra called, hanging half out of the van’s window and waving her long arms.
“Shut it, Sisi,” Olivia hissed.
Jesse stared at the spectacle, his jaw tight. When his gaze turned on her, hurt and confusion shone in his eyes. “What’s going on?”
“I texted you. Didn’t you see my message?”
He shook his head. “Reception’s spotty out here. And I’ve been busy.” He lifted the wine bottle.
“Shit and double shit. Zora told you, didn’t she?”
“Told me what?”
“About my birthday. I asked her not to.”
Salsa music blared from the van. The girls were starting the party without her.
