Cinderella Screwed Me Over

us, I grabbed Jake’s shirt and pulled him in for a kiss—the kind of kiss I don’t normally do in a public place.

Jake moved his lips to my ear and whispered, “I’m going to have to bring you here more often.”

While he was obviously amused by my jealousy, panic was winding through me, mixing in and making my stomach clench. This level of jealousy scared me because it burned more than it should.

Because it was the way I usually felt after I’d already fallen for a guy.

Chapter Twenty-one

“They delivered the furniture and everything else,” Jake said when I answered my phone. “So whenever you’re free, I need you to get up here and tell me where to put it all. I don’t want to do it wrong.”

For a couple of days I’d kept busy, keeping my contact with Jake to a text here and there. I was better now. A little jealousy could totally happen pre-fall. Besides, I was his interior designer; I had to do my job, right? And if the thought of seeing him to do my job sent excitement zipping through me, that was an added bonus. “I’ll be right there.”

I moved to my closet, scanning it for my sneakers—not what I’d normally wear to see Jake, but they were the best option when it came to moving furniture.

“I didn’t mean you have to come now. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see you, but I know you go to work earlier than I do. It doesn’t have to be tonight.”

I tugged on one sneaker, then switched the phone to my other ear and put on the other one. “It’s not that much stuff, so it won’t take us very long. Besides, this is my favorite part. ”

“I’ll see you in a few minutes, then,” he said.

I hung up and tossed the phone onto my bed, already planning the layout of Jake’s living room. He’d bought a coffee table and matching entertainment center. Unable to help myself, I’d pointed out a few other things that would pull his room together. I’d convinced them to knock 20 percent off Jake’s purchase, got my lamp for next to nothing, and got them to throw in free delivery. Jake said he was impressed by my mad bargaining skills.

A short elevator ride later, I arrived at Jake’s, toolbox in hand.

“I have tools,” he said.

“Well, you never know.” I set the box down on the floor. “First the rug, then we’ll get everything set up around it.”

Over the next forty-five minutes, we positioned and rearranged the room. Once I got started, I liked to go until I was happy with it.

I stepped back and looked at the finished project. “What d’ya think? Personally, I really like the black-and- white landscape picture there, but if you don’t agree, let me know. You can be honest if you hate it. Any of it.”

“I like it. It’s homey.” Jake grabbed my hand. “We better try out the couch.”

“The couch is the same.”

“But it might feel different now.”

“It’s late, and I’ve got to be up early for a meeting.”

Ignoring my protest, he tugged me toward the couch. He sat, pulling me with him, reclining back against the arm. He wrapped his arms around me and pressed a kiss to my temple. “It definitely feels better.”

I kicked off my shoes, tucked my feet up, and leaned my head against his chest. “It is pretty comfortable.”

“So, is this about what you do with most of your clients?” Jake asked.

“Cuddle afterward?”

He laughed. “Yes. That’s exactly what I meant.”

“Usually people who hire me want big remodeling done. We build shelves or knock down walls—I hire people to do it, anyway. New paint, flooring, lots of decorations and knickknacks. Some people prefer textures and patterns. I tend to keep things simpler with clean lines and comfort in mind.”

“At least now I have a place to rest my food and feet.”

“Yeah, those together don’t really sound like a good idea.” I lifted my hand and ran it along his jaw. Strange how dark prickly hair could look so hot on a guy. “You give up shaving?”

“Lazy one day, slept in the next. I swore I was going to shave it today, but Lindsay—my sister—called. I hadn’t talked to her in forever, so I left the house again without shaving.”

“You and your sister are close, then?”

“I’d say we’re pretty close,” he agreed. “We used to fight some growing up, but as we got older, we got closer. My niece, Addie, is going through the terrible-two thing. Lindsay’s always calling to tell me something funny Addie did, or to tell me about the huge messes she makes.”

“And you said your sister still works with your dad, right?”

He nodded. “She loves it. Her husband’s an illustrator, so he works from home and takes care of Addie. She draws next to him while he works, and then he works a couple more hours when Lindsay comes home.”

Jake ran his fingers up and down my back, his touch relaxing me so much I had to fight to keep my eyes open. “I was surprised when I first met Cameron,” he said. “He was the opposite of who I pictured Lindsay with. But they work well together. My parents are really good at that, too. I think first you’ve got to find the right person, then you have to work hard to keep the relationship going strong.”

If I wasn’t feeling so drowsy, I might’ve lifted my head and told him I wasn’t sure I agreed. Instead, I decided to change the subject. “You think you’ll ever go back to New York and open a restaurant there?”

“The restaurant market in New York is much tougher. Vegas is really competitive, too, but we set up in one of the newer hotels and it’s been doing really well.”

I’d been dumped for the city of New York once before, so I wanted to know how likely it was that Jake would be going back. Even if it involved a little bit of breaking my rules and talking about the future. “Do you ever think about going back there and doing something else? Maybe someday you’ll want to be back behind the desk.”

“I’d never say never, but right now, I’m very happy where I am.”

I wasn’t sure whether he meant with the restaurant or this moment. I was going to make a joke about it, but talking seemed like too much effort. Suddenly, I found it hard to form words or even keep my eyes open.

…

Nothing seemed right when I woke up. My neck and back ached, and after a confusing moment wondering where I was and what was going on, I realized that instead of being in my bed, I was sleeping against Jake. He groaned as I untangled myself from him.

I searched the room for a clock but couldn’t find one. Note to self: get Jake a clock.

My phone wasn’t in my pocket. I tried to remember when I’d had it last. I think I left it in my bedroom.

Stifling a yawn, I stood and stretched. The sunlight coming through the windows seemed brighter than normal, but I figured it was because the windows in his place were so big. I stepped toward the kitchen and looked at the oven clock.

“Is this right?” I asked, panic filling me. “Tell me that isn’t set to the right time.”

Jake sat up and squinted against the light. He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “It’s eight thirty.”

“No, no, no. This can’t be happening. Not today. Any day but today. I’ve got to meet my boss at nine. If I didn’t live two minutes away, I’d be screwed.” I stepped into my shoes, not bothering to tie them. “Even then, I don’t know if I’ll make it. She’s huge on punctuality, and I really, really hate being late. Today, it’s just not an option.”

Jake stood and ran his hand down my arm. “You’ve got some time.”

“I’m not a guy. It takes me a while to put myself together.”

“You look fine the way you are right now.”

I waved him off. “Don’t start with the sweet talk. I’ve got to go.” I grabbed my keys off the coffee table and rushed out the door.