“Nothing has happened between Jack and me.”
I dare to meet her gaze, looking for truth in her eyes, and I find it there—that or else she’s a good actress. “Like the same way nothing happened between us on the boat last Friday night?” It’s a cheap shot, but she’s not getting away with this so easily.
She looks down, frustrated, and then meets my gaze. “I have been staying with him, but what other options do I have? I texted Bailey, but she’s pissed at me, too.”
The fact that Bailey’s mad only gives legitimacy to my biggest concerns. I want to bolt, but I’m stuck here at Robert’s house, where I have to play nice.
“I really don’t know why she’s so upset,” Kylie says. “I suspect she might have seen Jack and me talking, or maybe hugging at the bar on Saturday night, but she’s totally off base.”
I shift uneasily, glancing at the house, hoping Robert will save me with hors d’oeuvres. “I don’t want to hear this.”
“I was upset. I was available to you all day, but you ignored me, waiting for Tori to get home. Then when you got there, you closed the door to Tori’s bedroom. What was I supposed to think about that?”
“Tori closed that door.”
“But you didn’t open it back up.” She lowers her voice. “She was in a silk robe.”
“You know Tori and I aren’t like that.”
“Yeah, but did you see her in that thing?”
I wince. “I don’t think of her that way.”
She sighs. “I believe that. But what about the way you ran to her to figure stuff out when I was right there in the car with you for an hour and you were totally quiet? Is that what a relationship with you would look like? Anytime you needed to talk about anything, I would step aside for Tori?”
“No, of course not. It’s just that she knows all the history.”
“Tell me the history.”
I can feel myself conceding to her, as much as my brain is telling me not to. “Okay, I’ll admit that I screwed up. But the fact that you left with Jack Massey without even texting me was not fucking cool.”
“I know. I was upset, and I should’ve told you where I was going. Is there any way we can get past this?”
“Are you still living with him?”
She closes her mouth and her eyes give me my answer.
I huff a humorless laugh.
“What are my options? I’m on the wait list for housing. I’m saving every dime for first and last month’s rent. I’m literally looking for anywhere to stay every day. I still have not gotten a paycheck yet. I hear it’s going to be another week because of the way payroll works. I’m in survival mode and trying desperately to make this life work. If you can’t handle this right now, and we need to just be friends, that’s fine. But this is temporary. I’m not living with him as a couple. He told me I’m like a little sister to him.”
“How classic.”
“If he’s so hot for me, why hasn’t he tried to kiss me one single time? Or flirted with me? Why do we go to separate rooms every night?”
I consider her, wanting to cave, but my pride won’t let me. “Why is he so goddamned willing to have you stay there? Have you thought of that?”
“I asked him that question. He’s just being nice.”
I shake my head.
“He’s totally still in love with Tori. Any fool can see it.” We both turn to look at them, and on cue, Jack glances up from his phone at Tori like a lovesick Saint Bernard.
I look at Kylie, the determination in her eyes, the hope, and I know I want everything she wants. Most of all, I want to quit feeling like I’ve lost everything. “How is this supposed to work? I’m gonna take you out on a date and then drop you off at his house?” I point at him for effect. “Are you kidding me?”
She looks away. “Then let’s just be friends. I’d rather have your friendship than nothing.”
As the next words are about to come out of my mouth, I feel Tori bearing down the weight of her stare on me even though she’s still buried in her phone. “Stay with me.”
Kylie shakes her head. “I’m sorry, but that’s just not an option. This is brand-new. We’re trying each other on right now. That first weekend was nice, but it had an expiration date. I don’t know exactly how long it’s going to take for me to get on my feet. I might need somewhere to stay for two or three months.”
I nod, understanding where she’s coming from, especially knowing how quickly things went south with Madison after we moved too fast. But I still cannot imagine myself dropping her off at his place.
“Why don’t you go talk to Jack,” she says. “Ask him what’s going on with us. If anything were happening, you know he’d want to brag about it to you.”
“That’s for damn sure.”
Catherine comes outside holding a tray, and Kylie and I meet each other’s silent gaze and then head over to the table.
Kylie and I sit across from each other, Jack and Tori next to us. The tension is so thick you could bounce off it. Catherine thankfully uses her gift of gab to yap away endlessly through dinner, with Robert smiling at her like he’s won the lottery.
Catherine stands, taking Tori’s plate, and Tori gets up. “Let me get that.”
“No, please, sit. Robert and I will clear these dishes and bring dessert. Give us just a moment.” The two of them leave the four of us out here in our awkward silence.
Kylie turns to Tori. “Will you please show me the bathroom?”
Tori stands, and Kylie and Jack exchange a significant look. Their connection with one another makes my skin crawl.
Once they’re gone, Jack stares at me. “Come on, man. You know me better than that.”
“I know payback for you would
