Chapter Twenty-One
Rich
When I step inside the bakery, I stop in my tracks, causing Jenna to run into the back of me.
“Shit, Rich. Watch where you’re going.”
“Let’s go.” I stare in disbelief as my best friend and the woman I love laugh in the corner of the bakery. Chloe’s eyes dance with mischief, and Tony leans over to whisper something into her ear.
“What is it?” Jenna moves around me and growls when she sees Tony and Chloe talking together. “Well, isn’t that nice? I always told you Tony was an asshole.”
“I guess you’re right.” I can’t believe it. I told Tony how I feel about Chloe, and as soon as I turn my back, Tony marched over to her bakery to get his claws into her. “Fuck. I can’t be here.”
“Fine.” Jenna shakes her head and turns on her heel. “I can’t believe Chloe would stoop so low as to be interested in that dumbass jock. ”
“Don’t worry about it.” I let the door slam behind me as I stand motionless on the sidewalk.
How am I going to live in the same town as her? For fuck’s sake, I work a block down the road from her. And he’s my best friend. Was my best friend. The pulse in my temple thuds repeatedly, making it feel like a man wearing sagging jeans, is jackhammering in my brain.
She grabs his arm. “Stop pretending that it’s going to be okay. It isn’t.”
I close my eyes as the traffic speed past us. “You’re right.” Several seconds later, I open my eyes. They sting from unshed tears. “It isn’t going to be okay. I love Chloe, and I can’t watch her fall for Tony.”
“Yeah, me either.” Jenna’s hands ball into fists. “You go on home. I’ve got something to do.”
“Jenna, don’t interfere.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do. Do. Not. Go. Apeshit on Tony.”
“Me?” Her eyes are wide as she shakes her head. “I won’t do anything I regret. ”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. You have a high tolerance for batshit crazy.”
Jenna put her hands on my shoulders. “Go home.”
“Fine. It’s not like anything I say is going to stop you.” Jenna has love-hated Tony since high school. His flirting with Chloe is another brick in her ever-growing fortress.