My phone beeped with a text.
Jesse let out a breath that sounded relieved. “You should get that.”
Reluctantly, I took the phone out of my pocket. Candi was here.
I looked up at Jesse. I couldn’t judge her expression, but I felt a wave of disapproval.
“Sorry, I have to go. Candi came over to talk.”
She smirked. “Right. Have fun. It doesn’t look as though you need saving from that relationship.”
I faced her squarely. “Look, Candi and I are not… There’s nothing serious between us. She’s not seeing me exclusively.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Are you sure about that? Or are you just assuming because it would be convenient?”
I was taken aback. “What the hell? Of course I’m sure. Besides, I don’t plan to marry her and father her children. We’re just having fun.”
“That’s a nice way to put it.” Color rose in her cheeks as she shook her head and stepped back. “It’s really none of my business. Enjoy your day and thanks for the waffles.”
My steps were hesitant as I moved to the door. “You’re welcome.”
I looked back, wanting to say something else, to glue the fragile bridge that was now cracked. Her gaze told me nothing I said would make things better.
I reached out and opened the door. “See you around.”
“Say hi to Candi.”
She slammed the door behind me.
Upstairs, Candi was waiting by my door, a shopping bag hanging from one arm, her smile wide and bright as always.
“There you are!” She kissed me quickly, sliding inside past me with effortless familiarity. “I brought Prosecco and sushi.”
Normally, I would’ve cracked a joke, stolen a kiss, and let things follow their course. But Jesse’s words kept echoing in my head.
Why do you date women you don’t seem to really connect with?
I closed the door behind us and lingered by it for a moment, watching Candi kick off her heels and flop onto my couch. She tucked her legs under herself, all glamour and practiced charm.
“Candi,” I said softly.
She glanced up at me, mid-scroll through her phone. “Mm?”
“Can we talk for a second?”
Her brows lifted. “That’s usually the start of a bad conversation.” But she set her phone aside, folding her arms.
I walked over and sat on the couch beside her. My hands itched to fidget, but I forced them still. “You need to stop wasting your time with me.”
She tilted her head, curiosity flickering across her face.
“I mean it,” I continued. “You’ve got talent, Candi. You light up a room. You’ve got the looks, the charm—you’ve got what it takes to actually do something with your life. If you want to be an actress, go be an actress. You can do it.”
She let out a soft laugh, masking something nervous. “And why can’t I see you while I’m doing that?”
“Because you need to focus,” I said honestly. “I’m not your future, and you know it. I’m just a distraction. And you deserve better than that. You deserve to take your acting seriously. Tostop leaning on your guy to foot the bills and start building something of your own. You’re too smart to keep playing the side role in your own life.”
Her smile faded. She sat straighter, eyes narrowing just slightly. “You mean my sugar daddy.”
