He glances down at his phone and it’s then that I panic. Did he see me with Zane? Does he think I went back to his hotel? Is this a test?
My heart races as I wait for him to respond, waiting for the anger in his eyes, but when he finally looks up, his expression breaks me. “I want her gone, Blair. I don’t want the image of that woman bouncing around in my lap to be burned into my brain. I don’t want the guilt.”
Holy shit.“You want me to fuck someone else out of your head?”
“What the hell, Blair? That’s not… Since when do you talk like that?”
“Since my boyfriend had a lap dance and proceeded to tell me he wanted to fuck so he could forget about it. Think about that, Nathan. You’re drunk, so I’m going to give you a pass. But I’mnot coming to bed. I’m going for my hike, and I suggest you forget last night ever happened.”
With that, I storm past him, holding my breath as I bypass our bedroom, emotion threatening to overcome me. My hands tremble as I collect my exercise gear from the clean hamper in the laundry room, and by the time I get outside, I’m wound so tightly, I could snap.
What a freaking day, night, whatever.
Like Nathan, I need to forget the last twenty-four hours ever existed. It’s time to move on. Period.
I have to.
For the next few days, Nathan’s more attentive than usual while never once mentioning what happened to elicit the change. At one point, he even asks me about my job hunting, despite telling me I don’t need to work.
From the outside looking in, he’s the perfect boyfriend, but I can see the subtle hints of embarrassment. He’s ashamed of what happened, and because of that, I’m racked with guilt.
While he was out watching half-naked dancers, I was at a hotel with Zane. And despite the fact that, like me, I’m sure Nathan knows I’d never cheat on him, emotionally, Zane has me questioning my feelings. And in the end, that’s worse.
Nathan knows my history with Zane. He knows how broken I was when he left. I can only imagine the pain it’s inflicting, knowing he’s back in my orbit.
God knows it’s inflicting a deep enough wound on me.
When Thursday night arrives, so does Jenna to meet Nathan, and I’m instantly nervous. It’s not that I think she won’t like him, because everybody does—my family and Zane aside— but I’mworried about what she’ll say. In the short time I’ve known her, I’ve learned that she speaks her mind, and no matter how many times I’ve asked hernotto mention Zane, I have a feeling she’ll slip up.
Especially if she doesn’t get a good vibe from Nathan, like she did with Zane.
My panic deepens as I rush to open the door, but the second I see her smiling face, all the stress escapes me.
“Hi,” I sigh. “Thank you for coming.”
“This place is incredible, Blair. But it’s not what I imagined for you.” And that’s exactly why seeing her relaxes me. We been friends for less than a month but I truly believe that she knows me, more than anyone does, except maybe Z— Nope. It’s just her.
“Come in. I’ll show you around. The condo came furnished, but I’ve added a few touches of my own. Let’s see if you can guess what.”
“You are on. I’m going to nail this.”
“I have no doubt.” I smile at her giddiness, leading the way.
“So where is the man of the house?” she asks after I’ve shown her the living room—to which she cringed—and the office, where she immediately lit up when she saw my bookshelf.
“He’s in the shower. He should be down—”
“I’m here,” Nathan calls out, his timing perfect as though he planned it. “You must be Jenna.”
Jenna spins to face Nathan, and I don’t miss the way her eyes sweep over him in a scrutinizing gaze. “That’s me,” she tells him, her smile warm despite the fact it’s obvious she’s yet to finish her appraisal. “It’s nice to finally meet you,” she continues. “Thank you for inviting me over.”
Nathan’s genuine happiness brings about my own and I relax a little more. “You’re very welcome,” he says, exuding charm. “I hope you like pasta.”
At that, Jenna’s eyes light up. “I love it. I’m all about the carbs. Do you cook?”
“Only pasta.” He winks and she laughs out loud.
“He’s funny.” She grins my way, and I can’t say I’m shocked that she likes him. He gives off those golden retriever vibes that everyone finds endearing.
