Bobby shakes his head. “I never even dreamed a girl like you existed.”
I’m so flattered I can’t speak.
As we eat, I find myself imagining a future with Bobby. Unlike the future I dreamed up when he was my tutor, this one is realistic. He would still do a dangerous criminal job and there would still be nights when I worried about him, but we’d also have romantic picnics and long talks and amazing sex. I could work as a barista and Bobby would come visit and compliment my coffee and be nice to my co-workers.
The problem, I think, as I try to eat the sticky cake without spilling it down my front, is that I can’t separate Bobby from the other guys. I can’t imagine living with him and not having Doc bursting in, teasing both of us and trying to smoke indoors. I can’t imagine making love to Bobby without Eli showing up and directing us like his perverted puppets. And I would always be wondering where Adriano was and if he still thought about me dancing. If he ever watched us through our bedroom windows…
There’s an easy solution—just be with all of them, and yet that feels utterly impossible and—no matter what Eli says—slutty.
I swallow my mouthful of cake. “Are you going to tell the other guys about what we did?”
Bobby shifts awkwardly.
“Oh my God, you are! You’re all so perverted!”
“It’s not like that. We’re not trying to be assholes. We just have this group chat that’s been going since we were teenagers and we… talk about things.” Bobby’s cheeks flame. “Sorry, it’s just how things have been for a really long time.”
“I guess I understand, I can see how close you all are. It’s just a little uncomfortable to be a part of it the way I am.”
Bobby takes my hand. “You’re special to all of us. No one wants you to feel uncomfortable.”
Looking at him, it’s easy to believe it, but I’ve also met Domenico Valente and Eli Morelli. Neither of them has any problem with me feeling uncomfortable. They seem to like it.
After the picnic is done, Bobby and I clean up and walk back to the truck. My muscles are sore from the exercise and the orgasm, and my mind is sore from all the new information.
“I have a present for you,” Bobby says when we’re seated in the truck.
“Another present?”
He opens the driver’s side compartment and hands me a smooth rectangular box. It’s a new iPhone. I make a squeaky mouse sound. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. You can watch videos and play games but don’t get on social media or call your friends for a little while. You have to wait until the contract’s drawn up and signed.”
I pull open the box and stare at the black screen in awe. “What will happen once the contract’s signed? Where will I tell everyone I’ve been?”
“Our current plan is for you to say you were abducted by a gang who ransomed you back to your stepmother.”
I let out a breath. “I don’t know if my uncles will believe my stepmom had the money to pay a ransom.”
Or that she would give it up for me, even if she did.
“That doesn’t matter. Parker will be forced to back you up, which will give you credibility. Then he’ll tell everyone he ended your engagement so you could focus on school.”
I trace my finger across my new phone. It’s such a simple, pretty lie. I want to believe it will work, but it feels too easy, like a Halloween prank or something.
“Hey,” Bobby says, sliding his hand over mine. “You can trust us, JJ. We’ll look after you.”
I force a smile. I do feel like I can trust Bobby, but as my stepmom and Mr. Parker showed, I’ve never been good at trusting the right people. All I can do is put one foot in front of the other and have faith everything will work out okay.
I slide my new phone into my Chanel bag and try to enjoy the ride home. When we arrive at Velvet House, Bobby walks me to my room.
“Take a nap,” he suggests. “It’s been a big day.”
“What about you?”
“I’m off to work.” He kisses my cheek. “I’ll be thinking of you, baby.”
Feeling a bit lost, I push open the door to my bedroom, examining my new phone as I go. The camera looks really good. I now have a designer purse and a new phone. What the hell is Doc going to give me for our date?
