Charlie
Why must I keep reminding you I’ve seen you naked?
Jessica
Oops. I keep forgetting.
Charlie
Yeah, right. That’s why you’re trying so hard.
Jessica
Hahaha… You think I’m trying?
* * *
I pocket the cell, open the door to my bedroom, and bound down the stairs as I call out, “Ready, Hales!”
In the front room, she sits on a plush, cognac leather reading chair wearing a cute little sundress with cherries, book in hand, her legs curled beneath her.
When she takes in my appearance, she sighs, swinging her legs to the floor and into white flip-flops. “Is that what you’re wearing?”
I run my hands over my bare stomach, looking down at myself. “Yeah, why? What’s wrong with it?”
She points at the ties nestled between my breasts. “Do you think it’s a good idea to spend the day drinking around the guy you had a crazy one-night stand with, wearing a top that could be stripped off you with a couple of tugs?”
I laugh. “Duh? Of course I do.”
She arches a brow. “I thought you were going to be good.”
“I am being good, but I have to make him suffer a little bit.”
She stands, the skirt of her sundress swinging around her legs. “Why do you have to make him suffer?”
“The question is, why wouldn’t I?”
Her expression creases, like she’s worried. “You said you were tired of being the center of gossip.”
Some of my excitement dims. Why do I have to keep paying for Travis and his misguided marriage proposal? “It wasn’t my fault Travis proposed to me in front of the entire town.”
“His actions aren’t your fault, but you’re not entirely innocent either.”
Defensiveness rears its ugly head. I want to debate the point. To get into an extensive argument to justify myself, but I want to forget all that today and have fun. “Fine, I’m not innocent. Happy?”
“No. It’s not about that. I’m just gently reminding you actions have consequences.”
Ugh. This is killing the vibe. “Look, I get it, but I’ve spent the last two months paying. We’re in a new place, starting a new life, with new people. Is it the end of the world to take the day off from my debt?”
She strides over, putting her hand on my arm. “That’s not what I meant at all, Jess.”
“Then why are you bringing this up now, on the way out the door?”
“You’re right. Forget I said anything.” Her fingers fall away, and she walks into the foyer, scooping up the keys from the table by the door.
Frustration sits in the pit of my stomach. The last thing I want is to walk into the unknown without my ally, so I do my best to reassure her. “My new boss is going to be there. I take my career seriously and plan on making a good impression. I’m not going have sex on the table or anything.”
She looks back at me, and I see something I don’t understand flicker across her features. “I fumbled what I was trying to say. All I wanted to do was remind you that because of the whole tailing incident, people are going to have their eyes on you and Charlie.”