If the house of cards didn’t come crashing down at Jeannine’s dinner party tonight.
“And really,” I continued, as if a valid argument had just smacked me in the face, “it’s not like we’ve known each other for that long. Sure, I’ve been here for over a month, and sure, I met him on, like, day three. But you have to remember that he thought I was Tiffany for the first two weeks.”
“Yeah, which means he’s known that you’re you for longer than he thought you were your sister.” He quietly counted to himself before resuming his excited voice to add, “That was nearly three weeks ago. Normally, you would’ve already gotten yours and blocked his number by now.”
I rolled my eyes and sighed. “This is different, Dave.”
“How so?”
Even though I knew he’d ask me that, I had hoped he wouldn’t. Because I didn’t have a good enough reason—or, more like, I refused to accept the only reason that would be good enough. “I’m not interested in a situationship with Jacoby.”
“Are you saying you want an actual relationship? The real deal?” Shock filled his tone.
If I rolled my eyes any more or any harder, they’d get stuck in the back of my head. “I don’t know what I want, okay? I’m figuring that out. And to do so, I need time. There’s too much to figure out in a week or two. This will take longer than that, and before I make any decision, I want to make sure it’s the right one.”
“Wow,” he whispered with heavy exaggeration. “I never thought I’d see the day. It’s like you’re growing up before my very eyes.”
It wasn’t that I had anything against relationships or had some sort of commitment issue. The reason I didn’t date much was because there was really no one to date. Almost everyone I’d ever been interested in saw me as one of the guys. I was immediately friend-zoned before I ever had a chance at being more. Maybe if I played fewer video games, drank sparkling wine or mimosas instead of beer, and wore dresses or low-cut shirts instead of something more comfortable, then I wouldn’t be dismissed so quickly.
That was probably my biggest problem with Jacoby. While he seemed to appreciate those qualities in me, there was a chance he only did so because he’d originally been under the impression that I was a celebrity who was widely known for being a materialistic snob. For all I knew, he’d been more impressed with the idea of Tiffany Lewis playing video games and drinking beer than an everyday woman doing the same. Not to mention, he hadn’t met the plain-Jane Tasha. He’d met the made-up version of me—bleached hair, fake tan, and expensive clothes. Things could drastically change after I went back home.
“And this is why I haven’t said anything to you about it. I knew you’d give me a hard time.”
“It’s like I always say, hard is always better than soft.”
He made it physically impossible to be upset with him. “Yup, you’re right. You definitely always say that.” He’d never said that, but that didn’t matter. It was his way of proving to me that no matter how much he teased me, he was always there when I needed him…and even sometimes when I didn’t.
“Have you ever thought that maybe I give you a hard time to test the waters?”
I was so confused. “Test the waters for what?”
“We live together in a small, two-bedroom apartment. And since this guy doesn’t even live here, there could potentially be a very real chance that he might come back with you. I’m simply preparing myself for any outcome. You know I don’t like to be surprised by things.” While he’d said all that with a lighthearted tone, there was a lot of genuine concern within his words.
I understood his apprehension and obsessive need to know every detail regarding my love life. However, I couldn’t help but wonder if a small part of him worried about how his role in my life would be affected if I had a serious boyfriend.
Just then, before either of us were able to say anything else, the black SUV pulled up the driveway. “Hey, Dave, the car’s here. Let me call you back later—if not tonight when I get back, then tomorrow.”
“Saved by the chauffeur. But if you forget to call me back, it’ll take more than a fancy driver to save you. Got it?” Regardless of how much he tried to sound tough, he could never pull it off. I knew he was a big softy at heart.
“Sure thing, Dave. Bye,” I said and then disconnected the call.
After slipping my cell into my clutch, I walked out and locked the front door behind me. I had to take slow, careful steps since Ty had decided to dress me in ridiculously high, super slim heels that made my feet wobble as I walked.
Tonight’s forecast showed a high chance of breaking my neck.
During the entire ride to Jeannine’s house—mansion—I couldn’t think about anything other than what tonight could bring. There were so many different scenarios running through my head that I couldn’t keep them all straight. And by the time the car pulled around her driveway to drop me off at the front door, I had prepared myself for the worst.
“I’m so glad you made it!” Jeannine greeted me with a friendly hug, sounding as if there was a chance I wouldn’t show up. Yeah, I didn’t have that luxury. The schedule said to come, which meant I didn’t have a choice.
Either I felt horrible for her or—nope, I definitely felt horrible for her, there were no ors. I returned her hug and offered a genuine smile, hoping she couldn’t read too much into it. “Well, thank you for the invite. You have such a beautiful home.”
“Oh, don’t act like you’ve never seen it before,” Serenity said, coming up behind me.
I turned around, which
