Free Like This And Like That by Nia Stephens Page B

hearing Maria’s nagging voice in her head. See, chica, you never know what you have ’til it’s gone .
    â€œWhat’s up with you today?” Gemma’s lab partner, Seth Cole, asked. “You act like you just found out Kobe was being traded.”
    â€œI wish,” Gemma said, not being a big Kobe Bryant fan. She studied Seth’s face for a moment. “Hey, you’re a guy, right?”
    â€œI like to think so.”
    â€œSo how can guys get dumped one minute and the next minute be making out with some random girl?”
    Seth thought a moment. “If you’re already dating said random girl before getting dumped by the first girl, it’s easy. You just switch your focus onto the random girl and shift her into first position.”
    Nice.
    Gemma glanced at Christine, who was sitting in front. She hardly thought it was Drew’s style to date several girls at once. If he was a player, he’d have much smoother moves. Then again, she didn’t think he was the type to show PDA—and so much of it—in a public place.
    â€œOr,” Seth continued, “guys have been known to hook up with a random girl right after being dumped. It softens the blow.”
    Gemma cocked her head, considering. “Does that mean he really likes that random girl he made out with?”
    Seth leaned in a little closer. “Let me clue you in on something and you are not to repeat it. I’d have my guy membership revoked for this.” He hesitated a second and then said, “Making out with a girl doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”
    Gemma frowned, wondering when he was going to clue her in to something she didn’t know.
    Seth straightened back up. “Random girl may have just been there at the right time.” He narrowed his eyes, looking at her. “I assume you’re girl number one and not the random girl.”
    Gemma nodded.
    â€œAnd now you’re bothered about dumping him because you saw him with random girl.”
    Gemma nodded again.
    Seth shrugged. “Go for it. Tell the dude you’re sorry for giving him the boot. I bet he’ll forgive you.”
    â€œWhat makes you say that?” Gemma asked.
    Seth looked her up and down. “Hello? Have you seen a mirror lately? You’re hot.”
    Gemma felt her cheeks flush. Why was Seth always so sweet?
    â€œI know I’d take you back even if you broke up with me via full page ad in the L.A. Times . Hot always overrides a dis.”
    â€œSpoken like a true guy,” Gemma said. She gave him a quick hug. “Thanks, though.” She was grateful that he let her in on the unwritten but the very much spoken Guys’ Code of No Ethics When It Comes to Chicks .
    Her decision was made. She was going to contact Drew.
    Â 
    â€œThanks for meeting me here,” Gemma told Drew. She thought it might be a good idea to go to the park and take their dogs for a walk. It gave them something to do, rather than sitting in a restaurant face-to-face at a tiny table. Just in case this didn’t go well.
    â€œDrew, I’m sorry,” she blurted when LeBron came to a stop to sniff a tree. Drew’s dachshund, Stanley, joined him.
    â€œAre you sorry for breaking up with me or the cold way you did it?”
    His words made her cringe. So he was upset. She couldn’t blame him though. “I’m sorry for both,” she admitted.
    The dogs tugged at their leashes, indicating they were ready to explore new territory. Drew and Gemma resumed walking.
    â€œI made a huge mistake. I guess I wasn’t sure how to handle it, so I took the easy way out. And I’m sorry.”
    Drew stood silently watching the dogs. Gemma’s stomach twisted. She really wanted him to forgive her for sending that text. And she really hoped that he was still interested in dating her.
    Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he said, “So does this mean you want to go out again some