Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

didn't mean, throw it away." Leslie said, quietly, glancing around. "It's just that Zach is a user, and we're afraid he's using you. I mean, look at how the business expenses are sure piling up."
    "Wait a minute, Naomi. How do you know about the business? Leslie, did you—"
    Leslie rubbed her hands together and spoke in a quiet voice. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to break your confidence. We just started talking and. . .'
    "Are you serious? Are you fucking— I can't even believe that you would—" Ann interrupted herself.
    "Listen, Ann, I didn't mean to hurt you, but I'm scared for you, for what this marriage might mean to both of you. But mostly you. You have invested everything into making his dreams come true, and what has he done for you? Nothing. I'm afraid you will lose your house, your car, everything, and he's a selfish ass." Leslie spoke, trying to look in Ann's eyes.
    "Ok, stop. You don't know what the hell you are talking about." Ann replied, glaring at Leslie.
    "I know enough. You're scared and you're compromising yourself and your dreams for him." Leslie answered.
    Ann couldn't find the right words to respond. Her mind was filled with anger over the attack that her two supposed friends had launched, completely blindsiding her.
    "Zach is gay, Ann. And that is never gonna change. And 20 years from now, you're gonna look back on your life and realize you wasted a majority of your life married to a gay man who has wasted you and your life on him and his ambitions. Is that what you want?" Leslie asked.
    Naomi took over." Not to mention the fact, that he can't be that gay, if he's marrying you. Something's gonna have to be kept secret, so guess who becomes the dirty little mistress?
    "What are you talking about, Naomi?" Ann asked, looking at her as if he head was screwed on backward.
    "He can't fight for Gay Rights as a Gay man if he's married to you, can he? What sense would that make?" Naomi responded completely believing her own words.
    "Naomi, you honestly don't know what the hell you're talking about. Neither of you do." Ann remarked
    "Ok, what's going on at this table?" Deanna asked, sliding into the booth with her arm around Ann. "It's gotta be more interesting than Horace hitting on lesbians!" She said laughingly.
    "I'm just being told by two of my supposed best friends that not only do they not support my decision to marry Zach, but that they think he is an evil lecherous gay man set out to ruin me and my future." She answered, snorting through her anger.
    "Wow. It's a little judgmental over here. Ya know what? Fuck em. It's your life. Do whatever the hell you want with or without their support," Deanna said as she tossed back her drink.
    Ann, shaking with the rage, contemplated picking up a chair and beating some sense into the two across the table from her. Instead maintaining her dignity and fighting to not scream, she pushed her way out of the booth and out the door of Nine Lives.
    CHAPTER 10 : The Ten p.m. Flight
    The Kettle Black was a cute little coffee shop in the center of the airport. It smelled of strong espresso and sugar sweets, both of which it had in abundance. Behind the counter, Ann was so deep in thought as she set up the display of freshly baked cakes that had come in that morning she failed to notice the man approach the counter and stare at the menu for a moment.
    When she finally stopped staring at the carrot cake that she was debating on taking a slice of, she looked up, and despite his relaxed appearance, all of her muscles tightened as she realized she had no idea of how long he had been standing there waiting, and that was very unlike her.
    "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to keep you waiting Phillip. I guess, I—" And before she could finish, he cut her off.
    "Ann, honey don't worry about it. I've been here only a minute or so, and I was still trying to decide what I want. I'm meeting the guys here anyhow, and it seems as though they are taking their time getting here. So, no hurry."
    "So, they tried to jump us, but Dean . . . in his big, burly voice was like, I don't think so— Hey, Phillip, how you doing hot stuff?" Santos, asked and scooped Phillip up into his arms. Phillip held his breath, and returned the hug.
    "I was just telling Ian about the other night, in front of the club."
    "Yeah, have you got to the part where you and Dean save the world from giant crocodiles bent on world dominance? You are so full of bullshit, Santos." Phillip replied, rubbing his hand in Santo's