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“Hey, Jenna, everything okay with Farrah?” I hoped Farrah hadn’t needed a hospital visit, but I’d never heard her that sick before either.

“I’m not sure,” Jenna said, her voice full of worry. “I saw on the news that Gage and Farrah separated, and when I call Farrah’s phone, she’s not answering. I have the kids, and it’s not like her to screen calls when I’m watching them, even if she’s at work.”

“Maybe she’s in the shower or something?” I suggested, trying to ignore the worry forming in my chest. “I work with Gage, and he hasn’t said a thing about a split. I’m sure it’s just a silly rumor and PR will be on it before you know it.”

She didn’t quite sound convinced. “Can you check in on her again?”

“Sure thing. I’ll text you when I know more.”

We hung up, and I tried calling Farrah, but she didn’t answer. Hopefully she was just sleeping off whatever bug she’d caught. But since I had the other half of the relationship here, I went to his office and knocked again.

He waved his hand, signaling me to come in. “Yes?”

I said, “I’m sure Tallie’s on it already, but a rumor about you and Farrah splitting up is in the news. I just wanted to make sure you were on top of it since you’ve been so busy.”

He let out a heavy sigh, running his hands over his face. “It’s not a rumor, Mia.”

I swear my heart stopped. “What?”

“We broke up Friday night. It wasn’t working out.”

My lips opened and closed as I remembered the last time I’d seen them together. They had looked so happy. Farrah hadn’t been that in love since I met her. And Gage? He was actually smiling at people now. How could they go from that to being over in the span of a week?

“Did you cheat on her?” I demanded. Farrah hadn’t even been this torn up when she found out she had HPV. But a second time of a man cheating on her? That would tear anyone up.

Gage glared at me. “Don’t insult me, Mia.”

“I’m sorry, but Farrah is the best person I know. So if something happened...”

“It’s my fault, is that it?” he snapped.

I folded my arms over my chest, silence the only answer he needed.

But then I saw his shoulders sag, and his features soften. “She hasn’t talked to you about it?”

I shook my head. “I really thought she was sick when she called this morning.”

“She could be. She hasn’t answered any of my calls or texts. But I suspect the real reason for her radio silence is that she wants nothing to do with me.” He let out an angry grunt and pounded his fist on the table, the least controlled I’ve ever seen him.

I blinked, assaulted by all the emotions of the most stoic man I’d ever met. “Gage, what happened?”

“Romero said approval ratings haven’t come back up since word spread about my involvement with Farrah, and it had been a month like we agreed on, so I had to make a choice. Marry her, break up, or date her in secret.”

Shock had me bringing my hand to my mouth. I knew Jason Romero was a pig, but making Gage and Farrah break up was awful, even for a sleazy wannabe politician. “He really said that?”

Gage nodded. “I can’t blame him because it makes business sense. If you’re doing something that hurts the bottom line, change it. But it’s Farrah.”

I shook my head, disgusted. “I hate that asshole.”

“I do too. But if he backs out, that’s hundreds of jobs for hundreds of families, gone.”

I could feel my heart breaking for him and Farrah. I knew how much Gage cared for other people, but he loved Farrah too. “You broke up because you couldn’t ask her to marry you.”

“I did ask her.” He loosened his tie, leaning back in his chair like a man defeated. “And it was a big fucking mistake.”

I nodded, already understanding. Farrah needed a man who would choose her on his own terms. But Gage’s hand had been played for him. “She walked away from you then?”

“Yes.” He pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. “And I can’t get the image out of my fucking head.”