“Of course it is.”
“I’ll come over as soon as I finish, and it won’t be late.”
“Okay, babe.”
“What will you eat?” I frown. I hate that I won’t be cooking for him. Looking after Jameson has become my favorite thing.
“I’ll find something; don’t worry about me.”
“Oh, okay.” I fall silent, feeling guilty.
As if sensing my inner turmoil, he asks, “Is everything all right, Emily?”
“Yes, of course. I love you. See you tonight.” I hang up in a rush before I confess my lie.
Six thirty on the dot I walk into Harry’s Bar. I’ve been here before with Aaron and Molly, so I know where it is.
Jake is in the back corner, and he waves happily when he sees me.
I smile awkwardly and make my way over to the table. A glass of wine sits there waiting for me.
“Hi.” I sit down opposite him.
“Hi. You look beautiful.” He smiles as he looks me up and down. I frown. I went home and showered and changed quickly. I hope he doesn’t think it was for him. I changed for Jay for when I see him later.
“You ordered me a drink?” I ask.
“Yes.” He smiles warmly. “I hope you like it—cab sav.”
“Thanks.” I sip it. “What’s the story about Jameson?”
He opens the menu. “Should we get something to eat?”
“I’m really not hungry,” I reply. I just want to get the information and get the hell out of here.
He keeps reading the menu. “I might get some wedges.”
“Tell me what you know,” I ask again.
“Well, it’s a tangled web.”
I sip my wine as I watch him. I’m so nervous about what he’s about to tell me that I feel sick.
“Apparently there is a huge story coming out tomorrow.”
I sip my wine. “About?”
“Well . . .” He pauses. “I think I’m going to get the wedges; do you want wedges?”
“Fine, get the wedges,” I snap.
He keeps looking at the menu, and I’m about to explode. Pick some food, you damn fool. “I’ll get the wedges,” I say as I stand in a rush. “Is that it? Is that all you want?”
“Uh-huh.”
I march to the counter. “Can I have a bowl of wedges and a trio of dipping sauces, please?”
I exhale heavily as I try to calm myself down. Just be calm.
“Emily.” I hear a voice behind me.
“Is that all?” the waiter asks me.
“Yes, please.” I smile as I turn back toward the voice that just called me.
Jake grabs my hand and kisses me on the lips.
I step back, shocked. “What are you doing?”
“Kissing you.” He smiles as he leans in to kiss me again.
I jump back and out of his reach. “What the hell, Jake? I don’t like you like that,” I snap as I wipe my mouth.
“I thought that since we were on a date . . .”
“What?” I stammer, horrified. “I came here to find out about Jameson.”
He smiles a broad, cheeky smile and then winks.
I glare at him. “There’s no breaking story, is there?”
He shrugs. “We could make the story about the wild night we spend together.”
“You’re a fucking idiot,” I snap. “I am not interested in you.”
“Oh, but you should be.” He grabs my hand again, and I push him hard in the chest.
“Stop it.”
“That will be twenty-two dollars,” the poor waiter says as he looks between us.
“I’m not paying for this imbecile’s wedges,” I snap. “Goodbye, Jake,” I say as I storm toward the door.
“Emily . . . come on. We would be great together,” he calls.
I stumble out of the bar, furious, as steam shoots from my ears. I’ve been stressed out all day, and for what?
Stupid Jake’s lie to get me on my own.
The guy’s a fucking sleazebag. And now I can’t even go home because I lied to Jay about where I am.
I walk into a Thai restaurant, and the waiter approaches me.
“Can I have a table for one, please?” I ask sadly. I’ll just eat dinner alone and then go home to my man.
I can’t believe I fell for that trick. What an asshole.
At least there’s no story.
Jameson
I bend and kiss Emily on the forehead in the dark. She’s still sleeping. “I’m going, babe.”
“Hmm.” She wraps her arms around me and pulls me down on top of her. “No, don’t go. Play hooky today.”