3.Why is everything so formal?
I almost feel like telling Jack to forget the job. I am sure I can find something else, somewhere else, where I don’t have to be around him. I’m not sure if I am going to be able to work with the man. I still can’t stand him, even though I let him do things to me with his tongue that still make me blush. I suppose that is part of the complexity of life and sex. You can be attracted—even very attracted—to a man you know is no good. And I don’t mean that in the largest sense of the word. He isn’t a fascist dictator or anything like that, but he is still Jack Heathcliff, the elder brother of my ex. The man I actually wanted to date instead of my ex. The man who made my heart beat fast for the first time in my life. The man who truly made me feel seen as a woman, even if he turned me down minutes later.
Jack isn’t just the best friend of my best friend’s husband. He is the man who represented a turning point in my life. Seeing him and being around him is complicated, and I don’t know how to feel. The fact that we’ve already complicated our murky connection with a sexual connection has me worried for what will come next. I don’t need to become sexually involved with a man who can break my heart. Because I know that for all of my protestations, there is still a part of me that craves to be with him, and while I can lie to the world about my feelings for him, I can’t quite lie to myself.
“Get it together, Katherine.” I lecture myself and throw the letter down on the bed. “Think of the greater good. Working there will help you get your own bed-and-breakfast. Who cares about big-nosed Jack?” I stare at my reflection in the mirror and roll my eyes at myself.
Jack doesn’t have a big nose, and I know it. He is gorgeous.
“Big-nosed Jack is a loser,” I say out loud as I head out of the bedroom to grab a drink. I swivel too quickly and hit my elbow against the wall hard. “Ow,” I cry out and rub my elbow.“Jackass,” I mumble, blaming Jack for my injury, though I know it was karma slapping me in the face for being so rude.
“I just got a letter from Heathcliff Enterprises,” I say as I enter the living room and see Brielle sitting on the couch. “Can you believe that? A formal letter, like I’m accepting some fancy corporate job.”
“It is a fancy corporate job though.” Brielle looks up from her laptop and grins. “Or are you working in an actual hotel?”
“No, it’s in the office, but still, it only pays eighty-five K, not like I’m going to be rolling.”
“Eighty-five thousand dollars?” Brielle’s jaw drops. “Girl, that’s so much money—or as Lucille onSF Girls for Lifewould say, ‘That’s hella money.’ ”
“I no longer watch that trashy TV show,” I say with a giggle as I plop onto the couch next to her. “And let’s be real; eighty-five grand is a lot of money, but it’s not mad money for a fancy job in New York City. Let’s be real.”
“True.” She nods. “But it’s not like you’re an executive. Girl, you’re on the first rung of the ladder.”
“Hmph.” I give her a look and jump back up. “I’m grabbing a glass of water and an apple. Do you want anything?”
“I’m good. Thanks though.” She lets out a long sigh. “My dad is being annoying.”
“Oh gosh, what now?”
“He thinks I should come home. He wants me to?—”
“Stop right there. You’re not going back to Whispering Haven, and he can’t make demands. We’re twenty-five now. He needs to let go of the strings and emotional manipulation.”
“You know him.” She presses her lips together. “I guess he was watchingLaw & Order: SVUlast night, and he got nervous for us. He said he can’t make you and Willow go back, but he can try and convince me.”
“Well, Willow is married, and I’ve gotten a job. And didn’t Levi say he was going to offer you a job as well?”
“I think Santiago and Levi were both trying to figure out something.” She shrugs. “As of now, I’m just waiting to hear. Unlike you and Jack.” She winks. “He snatched you up too quick.”
“He didn’t snatch me up. He just had an opening, and I’m good with marketing and art. Which, by the way, there are some cool markets I’m trying to get into on the weekends. Would you be interested in coming with me?”
“To sell your quilts and blankets?” she asks with a warm smile. “And, yes, of course. How exciting. I didn’t realize you were still going to try and sell them.”
“Yeah, I’m going to go and check out some material stores later today and see what unique materials I can find.”
“How cool. You’re so talented, Katherine.”
“I’m okay.” I shrug. “They are fun to make, and extra money is always welcome. We need to speak to Willow and figure out the rent and bills so we can split it. I know Sebastian owns this apartment, but I don’t want to be living here for free. He’s not my man.”
“I know.” Brielle nods. “He’s so sweet though. I’d love for a billionaire to fall in love with me and want to spoil me.”
“Join the club, girl.” I burst out laughing. “I think we’d all love for that to happen.” I head to the kitchen and open the fridge and turn back to her. “If I were with a billionaire, I wouldn’t even have to get my own cup of water.” I giggle. “I’d be waited on hand and foot.”
“One day.” She laughs. “Now let me call my dad and tell him that while I love him, I need him to stop with the emails and texts.” She groans. “Pray for me, girl. I really don’t want to hear him going on about how much he misses me. It makes me feel so bad.”
“Aw, I understand. It’s hard, but it’s time for us to fly.” I take a gulp of my water and survey the contents of the fridge. “Let me figure out what to make for lunch. I’m already feeling hungry.” I open the freezer and pull out some frozen chicken breasts. “I’m thinking …” My voice trails off as I hear my phone beeping.
I grab it and check the screen. It’s Jack. My heart thuds as I wonder what he has to say. I swipe on the screen to read his messages.
