Page 84 of House of Desire

“Friend to friend, you should go. He seems cool in the interviews I’ve seen.” I’ve been possessed. That’s the only explanation for the suggestion coming out of my mouth. I want her to sit at home and pine for me until she finally gives in and lets me take her out.

“Fine. Maybe I will. It’s not like there’s any reason I should say no.”

Her nostrils flare and I can tell I’m barreling down a dangerous path, with warning signs flashing, but I continue anyway. Like a complete and utter moron.

“Good.”

“Good.” She turns away from me in a huff.

At, possibly the worst time, another woman walks past us that looks like she should be in a swimsuit magazine and gives me a thorough look before winking at me.

I can see the flare of jealousy in Anya and the raging beast of a man inside me swells with pride while the civilized part of me is annoyed I enjoy it. Especially after I was the one that suggested she actually go out with Miles.

A hypocrite through and through.

“Looks like you could have a date of your own if you wanted,” she says, sniffing with indignation and turning around, stomping through the crowd to get to the next thing on her list.

The shopping trip continues and we start talking again, but now the conversation is stiff and stilted and I hate myself for ruining our outing with my jealousy.

My makeup and hair are done, but I’m still in my robe trying to decide what to wear.

“Why am I so nervous?” I ask Dom as he lies on my bed, throwing a baseball in the air. Where the baseball came from, I have no idea.

“Because you’re excited?”

I am, but the nerves seem to be winning. I look at him, holding two different hangers in my hands. “Which one of these?”

I first put the plain black t-shirt dress in front of me before switching it for the red pantsuit I had worn to Charlie’s rehearsal dinner.

“Why did you say yes?” he asks, without answering my question, just like I ignored him.

My thoughts go back to the grocery store and the jealousy I felt watching women check out Parker.

“I think because I just need to know what could have been if Miles hadn’t had a girlfriend when I first met him. That I didn’t just fall for Parker because he showed interest in me after all that, but because of him.” I move the clothes in front of me again. “Which one?”

“Where’s he taking you?” he asks, without looking at the options.

“He didn’t say.”

“And you didn’t ask?”

“I was too busy looking at the hundred thousand dollars’ worth of diamonds hanging from his neck when I video called him to say yes.”

He sits up with a grunt, taking a chug of water from his water bottle on my side table.

“Lawson does love his jewelry. He’s probably taking you somewhere fancy. He’s pretty known for that in the locker room.”

“Oh God. Am I going to be talked about in your locker room?” I ask him, my voice whiny. “Why are you letting me do this?”

“Relax, he doesn’t talk about his dates. And if I remember right, you got me grounded for two weeks the last time I tried to tell you who to date. Plus, Mom told me you’re a grown woman and to leave you alone, so I’m staying out of it.”

“I’m just going to text him.”

Throwing the outfit options on my bed, I grab up my phone, typing out a text to Miles.

Anya: Hi Miles. It’s Anya. For our date tonight, where are we going? I’m trying to make sure I dress appropriately.

Miles Lawson: We are going to Harbor View Bistro. Can’t wait to see you.

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