“So, what are you going to eat?” I ask.
“I had a big breakfast before I boarded the plane,” she replies, and I know she’s gone back to strict calorie counting and skipping meals.
“So tell me about this Bologna Pony you’ve been riding!”
I scrunch my brow. “Bologna Pony?”
“The stud? If he has Anselm beat, he must be a horse.”
“Gosh, how do I describe Garrett? He’s reticent, but not rude. Low-key funny, like you expect him to be all serious, but he’ll say something out of nowhere that’ll have you busting a gut. He is a volunteer fireman in his spare time.”
“I don’t care about all that—get to the good stuff!”
“He’s a people pleaser. Oh-my-God—his tongue is divine. He knows exactly what to do, how long to draw it out, and when to stop.”
“Well, it’s good you found a way to pass the time while you’re here.”
“The thing is, Eva…I don’t know if I ever want to give him up.”
She casts me a cynical gaze. “What is thatsupposedto mean?”
“Garrett is someone I trust…someone I could grow to love.”
“Ali, weren’t youjusttelling me that he was an asshole that treated you like a bad booty call?”
“Yeah, but there was a lot I didn’t understand. You see, he has this money problem—”
Eva chuckles. “Money problem…well, looks like he found his answer.” She gestures toward me.
“That’s-that’s not it. I promised him nothing.”
“Honey, it doesn’t matter what you promised him when he could go running to the tabloids with his first-hand account of what it’s like to be balls-deep in America’s Sweetheart.”
“He’d never.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that if I were you. I sure as hell hope you used protection because he’d probably love him some child support.”
It’s pointless fighting with her, so I eat the one chicken strip I allowed myself and pick at the pasta on my plate.
Garrett’s not like other men, and she’d know that if she spent any amount of time with him.
“Oh, what’s this?” Eva says, picking up Alistair’s card from my nightstand. “Oh my God—he wants to take you onanotherdate?”
“It’s been discussed.”
“Then why the hell are you over here banging tall, dark, and hillbilly?”
She’s right. Why are you banging Garrett? It’ll never work with him, and if your family finds out, it will only tear them apart.
It’s a question I can’t even begin to answer because it boggles my mind. He’s the last person I should be setting my sights on, and yet he’s the only person I want. Alistair is clearly a better choice, being low-drama, filthy rich, funny, and kind. Not to mention that he’s matured a little and might be looking to settle down. But for some reason, my heart is stronger than my head.
Eva continues with, “Sure, he’s cute. I’d sure as hell fuck ‘em but, let’s be real—he’s no different than all the rest, except he’s broke.”
I want to believe it’s not true, that Garrett really is some special guy that can heal my wounds and get me through the next couple of months, but Eva’s words ring true. I’m supposedly ‘America’s Sweetheart,’ and I haven’t had a decent relationship in…well, ever.
“So, it’s Friday night—where are you taking me?” Eva says, plopping down on my bed.
“Taking you? Eva, this is ‘nowhere’ Nebraska. The only night entertainment you’re like to find is cow tipping.”
