“That was just bad.” They arrived at her place and walked inside.
Maya sighed. “I know. I blame Riley. Girl has been in a funk since Anson’s been back. He had the nerve to flirt with her the other day at the bakery. She’s PO’d to the point I’m here bugging you instead of messing with her.”
“Ouch. I should call her.”
“No. You should tell me what I want to hear. That you’re sticking to the plan.”
“I am,” she said, “It’s been hard. Having sex without an emotional connection is tough, but I’m trying to keep it separate. We’re having dinner tonight. Just dinner. Then, well, I lost a bet. Friday night I’m his for twenty-four hours.”
Maya loafed on her couch. “Man. I need to get some action like that. Let a guy try to boss me around for a day.”
“Try being the key word. You have control issues.”
“I do. And I fully admit it. Acknowledgement of the problem is the first step, you know.”
“You’re such a dork. Oh, Maya. What do I do? I’m trying really hard not to like Jack again. But he’s being so charming. I mean, he’s making my toes curl in bed. Then he leaves, and next thing you know he texts to tell me to have a nice day or share something funny Josh said.”
“But he still hasn’t mentioned high school, hmm?”
“No. He’s made a few remarks about putting the past behind us. But it’s just…”
“Just what?”
Ann didn’t know how to explain without sounding childish.
“Just that you can’t get over the hurt?” Maya answered. “I get you. Dex screwed me over in twelfth grade. And you know what? Over a decade later Istillwant to put a hurt on him. My mom dropped the ball when I was a baby, and now I have commitment issues. I’m twenty-nine, so clearly I’m not over that yet.”
“We’re not crazy for feeling hurt after so much time, are we?”
“Nope. We’re normal. We just need closure—hence the revenge.”
“Right. Revenge.” But on who, Ann wondered, because trying to remain emotionally detached from Jack seemed to woundhermore than him. “Well, it’s early yet. I’ve only been with him a week or so. He’s barely been back.”
“He’s been here long enough to have you onyourback.”
“Crude, Maya.”
“Yet true. Look, have fun. Enjoy him a little. Enjoy him a lot. Just don’t lose yourself to him again. For all you know, he’s fooling around with you while secretly engaged to Selena Thorpe.”
Ann grimaced. “Must you say her name?”
“Sorry. My point—don’t trust the guy. He hasn’t earned it.”
They talked a while longer, then Maya left to get back to her studio.
After a call to Riley to say hello, Ann left a message then went out to clear her head. She returned in time to get ready for her dinner with Jack and met him downtown.
Jack waited for her outside Noi, the new Thai place she’d been dying to try, talking and laughing with someone. He waved her over.
“Hey, Ann. You remember Dexter Black? Dex, Ann Weaver.”
“Oh my gosh. You arehuge.” Ann goggled at Dex, who used to be almost Ann’s height.
“Yeah, yeah. I hit a weird growth spurt and it forgot to stop.” Dex kissed her on the cheek. “You look terrific, Ann. Why don’t you ditch Jack and come out with me? I’m going to see a movie. A drama. With subtitles,” he added hopefully.
“I would, but I think Jack might cry if forced to eat alone.”
Jack frowned at Dex. “Hey. She’s with me.”
