Page 3 of Playing My Rivals

“Extra cheese and a Cherry Coke too, please.” I move to her kitchen and go through her makeshift bar, sifting through the different bottles on display.

“Now I know this is bad.”

“Bad doesn’t even cover it. Try heartbroken, confused, and torn in two directions. Add stressed out to the max from work and you’ve got me.” My shoulders slump and I release a heavy sigh.

She finishes tapping her screen and places her phone on her kitchen counter. Her eyes narrow in on me and she tilts her head.

“And now you’re looking for wine on top of pizza and soda. What have you done with my friend? She would never combine all that sugar in one day.”

“Maybe I’m trying to die of a sugar overdose.”

“Hmm.” She eyes me suspiciously. “I’d like to believe you were joking, but I don’t think you are.”

“Do you mind if I open this cab?” I lift a bottle and show her which one.

“Sure, go ahead.” Seriousness washes over Melanie’s expression. “I’m sorry I didn’t answer when you called last night.”

“It’s okay. I knew you were out with Zengi. It was a long shot, but I thought it was worth a try.” I pull out a drawer and grab her wine opener.

She swats my hand and takes it from me. “I’ll do it. You tell me what happened last night.”

“It’s the worst thing ever.” I push myself up and sit on her countertop. “Jami asked me to stay late so he could talk with me. He asked me if I wanted to give it a go with him.”

“No way! Why is that bad? You’ve wanted this forever and with Hunter out of the way…” She shrugs with her hands splayed out in the space before her. “Why not?”

“Seconds after Jami asked me that, Hunter showed up and interrupted us. He insisted we talk, so Jami told me to go with Hunter to hear him out. We went back to his place, where he told me he loves me. He’ll go to therapy to explore the idea of having kids and he thinks he found a way to strike the no-dating clause out of my contract.”

“That's incredible! He loves you and he’s willing to have kids now.” She gives me a once-over. “You must be amazing in bed.”

I choke out a laugh as I roll my eyes. “That’s not what this is about.”

She raises her eyebrows to challenge me. “Really? Because one of the reasons you broke up with him was because you thought your relationship was nothing but great sex.”

“There was more to it than that. Just keep pouring the wine so I can finish this story.”

“So, where does that leave you?” She finishes fixing me a drink.

I push myself off the counter, take the glass of wine, and walk back to her couch. “I told Hunter I had to think. His driver took me home. Within the hour, I found myself knocking on Jami’s door.”

“So Jami tells you he wants to start something because he thinks you and Hunter are over. Right after that, Hunter tells you he loves you and is willing to fix all the wrongs in your relationship. I see why you’re confused.” She picks up her wine and follows me into her living room. “What happened when you saw Jami?”

“He freaked out and said Hunter has him by the balls.”

“He does.” She sits on the couch. “If you end it with Hunter and go forward with Jami, Jami’s screwed.”

“Why do you say that?” I situate myself so I’m facing her. I need her to help me make sense of this.

“Hunter doesn’t come across as the type of guy to just roll over and hand something he loves to another guy just out of the goodness of his heart. You’ve said before you think he wants to possess you. If there’s any truth in that, then he won’t let you go that easily.”

She places her wine on the coffee table. “He’s ruthless in business. What makes you think he’s any different when it comes to love?”

“And that means Jami could lose everything he’s worked for?”

“Exactly. Wow, girl. This is bad.”

Jami risking his job is something I hadn’t considered until now. I thought it was about him fighting for me, taking the risk, and making me the priority for once.

Is it fair to ask him to risk his career?

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