Jesus. This day keeps getting worse.
She arches an eyebrow. “For….”
“Intimate activities.”
“Oh….” Her eyes widen as pink climbs up her neck. “Well….”
“Mom!” Jake snaps as the front door swings open. “Get inside. Emily was leaving.”
“Was she?” That eyebrow rises higher like she’s challenging him.
“Yes, she was.” His fingertips dig into the door as if he’s about to spring toward me and physically remove me from his property.
“I heard you told her to leave. You were raised to be more polite than that. When a guest is in your home–”
“She’s not a guest.” Jake’s sharp tone leaves no question that we’re not on good terms.
I swallow hard over the lump in my throat. I never should’ve come today. If I were ranking stupid decisions I’ve made, this one would land somewhere near the top.
“I didn’t raise you to be rude.” Simone’s eyes narrow into slits. “Were you upset that she implied you use your handcuffs on women, or that you hadn’t had the chance to use them on the person you wanted to?”
“Mother,” Jake’s growl is deadly, causing a shiver to crawl up my spine. “That’s enough.”
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch.” She waves her hand dismissively toward him and then pats me on the shoulder. “I can’t wait to hear my son’s side of the story. It’s going to be so enlightening.”
“I need to go.” I swallow and meet Jake’s gaze as he stands as still as a statue. “I’m sorry for acting like a bitch. I have no excuse.”
“Was it acting?” His jaw flexes.
“Jacob Elliot Thompson, that’s uncalled for.” Simone slams her hands on her hips as Xavier steps onto his front porch, wearing a gray T-shirt with ‘Let’s Play Carpender! First, we gethammered, then I nail you’ on it. His broad shoulders fill out every inch of the material.
I was too distracted to notice the inscription when we were in the bedroom. I’d laugh but there’s nothing funny about this moment.
“Hello, Simone,” Xavier drawls with a wink. “I see you’ve had the opportunity to chat with Emily and Jake. Unfortunately, their idea of foreplay is insulting each other and glaring.”
“Fuck off.” Jake crosses his arms over his broad chest.
Heat flares up my chest and to the tips of my ears. “I’m not–”
“The more you protest.” The smirk on Xavier’s face grows wider. “The more obvious it is.”
Fuck that. I snap my mouth shut.
How’s this even happening? I’m not the kind of girl who goes out of her way to seek attention. I don’t wear tight, revealing clothing. I don’t wear red lipstick and shout, ‘Look at me’. I rarely leave my apartment unless it’s to hang out with my friends, help someone, or work. And yet, I’m the center of everyone’s entertainment for today.
A black cat slinks along the sidewalk on a direct collision course with me. That’s just what I needed, another sign of impending doom. Where’s the ladder? I shudder forcefully. There was one in Jake’s bedroom.
Chapter Seventeen
Emily
A Few Days Later
The wind blows my hair across my face as I step out of Brookhaven Market. My shift ended ten minutes ago, and now, it’s time for my evening with my mom. I yawn and lift the paper cup of mocha to my lips. The scent of chocolate sends a warm feeling of contentment throughout my body, and I sigh before taking a sip of my drink.
The flavor pairs perfectly with the triple chocolate cake nestled inside the plastic bag dangling from my hand. Just the thought of the decadent dessert has my mouth watering, and the hot liquid jolts me out of my funk.
Helping my mom is a wonderful thing. Even if she spent the last several nights talking nonstop about how perfect Jake would be for me. Like I don’t already know that. I don’t need her rundown of his assets–he has a good job, he’s attractive, he’s strong, he’d make a good husband, and his babies will be gorgeous. The list goes on and on.
