Rush

even if she’d
     sacrificed it all for Gabe.
    “We’re taking a trip for Thanksgiving,” Jace said as he glanced up in the mirror again.
     “We leave Wednesday and we’ll come back Sunday.”
    She lifted an eyebrow. “Where are we going?”
    “The Caribbean. Someplace nice and warm. Lots of sunshine and beaches. It’ll cheer
     you up.”
    She doubted that, but she wasn’t going to be a spoilsport. Jace’s eyes were hopeful.
     He was trying so hard to help her pick up the pieces. He’d never been able to stand
     her being upset about anything, and he always pulled out all the stops in his bid
     to make her feel better.
    “And hey, you’ll get to see me in a swimsuit,” Ash said, a devilish grin on his face.
     “That should make your entire year.”
    She rolled her eyes, a smile toying with the corners of her mouth. But she sighed
     because Ash wasn’t spending Thanksgiving with his family. He never did. He always
     spent his holidays alone or with her and Jace, or with Gabe. Her heart ached because,except for Jace, Gabe and herself, Ash was alone, and she well knew that feeling now.
     It sucked.
    “That’s better,” Jace said, approval and relief gleaming in his eyes. “I want to see
     you smiling again, baby girl.”
    The smile felt frozen on her lips. It was pretty damn hard to smile when her heart
     was splintered and lay in pieces. Dramatic maybe, but it was appropriate.
    “Do you need to go shopping for the trip?” Ash asked in a coaxing voice. “Jace and
     I have the rest of the week off. We could take you shopping tomorrow if you need stuff
     for the beach.”
    They were both trying so hard that she wasn’t going to make it any more difficult
     for them. So she smiled and nodded. “That sounds like fun.”
    The relief in Jace’s eyes told her she’d done the right thing. The last thing she
     wanted was to worry him—and he
was
worried.
    He and Ash would keep her busy through the Thanksgiving holiday. And on Monday she’d
     return to her old life. Working at La Patisserie. Living with Caroline in her apartment.
     Trying to forget that for a brief time she’d meant the world to Gabe Hamilton. Or
     that he still meant the world to her.

chapter forty-one
    Gabe sat brooding in his office, his head aching and dull, his heart even heavier.
     It was early—he was the only one in the office after the holiday—but he hadn’t slept
     since Mia had walked out of his apartment, so much hurt and betrayal in her eyes.
    He stared at the two pictures of her in his phone, one of which he’d had printed and
     framed. It lay in his desk drawer. Often, he pulled that drawer open just to see her
     smile.
    The Mia in those pictures was the Mia he’d done his damnedest to destroy. He’d taken
     the life and joy right out her eyes, and he’d damn sure taken her smile.
    He ran his finger over the image of her in the snow, holding up her hands in delight
     as she tried to catch snowflakes. She was so goddamn beautiful that she took his breath
     away.
    He’d spent Thanksgiving with his parents, their happiness and growing contentment
     almost too much for him to bear. It was hard for him to be happy that they were on
     the path to reconciliation when his own life was in shambles.
    And he only had himself to blame.
    After leaving his parents’ home, he’d returned to his apartment to find it empty and
     barren of life. And then he’d done something he rarely ever did. He’d gotten roaring
     drunk and attempted to drown his sorrows in a bottle—or three.
    He’d self-medicated the entire weekend, itchy and impatient because he knew that Jace
     and Ash had taken Mia on holiday to the Caribbean. She was out of reach, not just
     physically, but emotionally as well.
    He’d hurt her when he’d sworn never to do so again. He’d betrayed her trust. He’d
     turned his back because he’d been overwhelmed by guilt and self-loathing for how he’d
     treated her. Like she was some dirty secret that he was ashamed of.
    Fuck that. He wanted the world to know she was his. He didn’t give a damn what Jace
     thought. Didn’t give a shit if Jace approved. All he cared about was making Mia happy.
     Making her smile and light up the way she did when she was with him.
    But he’d thoroughly extinguished that light when he’d told her that it was over. As
     if he’d already grown tired of her and was ready to move on.
    He’d never get over her. He knew that without hesitation or doubt.
    He loved her.
    As