Page 25 of First Comes Forever

“Yes. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You once told me that Luna’s was sacred. For close friends only. Mona’s Italian Eatery is the restaurant you prefer before taking women to…what was that delicate little phrase you used? The Boneyard? Pound Town?”

I scowl. “Excuse me. I have never described a hookup with that level of crassness.”Boneyard. Pretty sure I said boneyard.

“Regardless, continue,” Cici instructs.

“She was sad and crying. She needed a decent meal and Luna’s was like five minutes away. It wasn’t a big deal.”

“Uh, wrong. Luna’s is like a forty-minute drive from Elm Community.”

“Can you quit calling me on my shit now?” I point to the bakery box. “I brought you crullers. Be cool.”

She cackles. “Adam, I’m just saying, it’s not a crime to have feelings for a girl.” She flashes me a shit-eating grin. “Smitten looks good on you.”

I roll my eyes at her and mutter, “I’m not trying to get into the feelings thing. I just want to make it right. She was so upset at me. And now she’s probably leaving L.A.”

“I don’t doubt it. She likes to pretend like she’s okay, but she really hates it here.”

I point right at Cici’s forehead. “See? You know stuff. Spill.”

Cici presses her fingertips against her eyelids. “This feels sleazy. Like I’m going behind her back so you can get into her pants.”

“Wrong.” I scowl. “She offered. I actually turned her down.”

Cici purses her lips and nods her head up and down as if in understanding. “So you turned her down but now you’re here asking me for tips on how to get her to see you again?”

“Yeah, sorta.”

“It’s shocking you need help with women, Adam. You seem to have this completely under control.”

“I don’t need help with women. I need information aboutonewoman, and I’d really prefer it without all the Cici commentary.” I sigh, then grumble.All right, I didn’t want it to come to this.I pull out my final Hail Maryfrom my back pocket. Cici’s jaw drops when she sees the key to my Jag in my hand. “Why did Amani move to L.A.?” I ask, making my intentions clear.

“Stop.You’re that hard up for her? You’re offering me the Jag?”

I scoff so hard my throat catches. “I’m offering for you to use the Jag. Not have.Use.” I dangle the key above her open palm as I calm my sputtering. “One week.”

Cici rakes her top teeth over her bottom lip. “One year.”

I narrow my eyes. “One month.”

“No deal.” She shrugs and takes a prolonged sip of the coffee I brought her.

Damn, she’s good.She knows she has the upper hand. “The rest of the summer, and you can borrow it when you drive home for the holidays this year. You can lie to your family and tell them you bought it,cash, so they stop giving you so much shit for being…what is it they think you do again?”

She rolls her eyes. “Party planning.”

Right. Cici’s parents are completely clueless as to the purpose of celebrity PR. I know they’ve made a snide comment or two about her career choices. Little do they know their daughter is one of the best in the business.

In a final show of hesitation, she twists her lips. “And what exactly are your intentions?”

Honestly?“I don’t know.” I exhale as I lift my shoulders then drop them. “I simply want to help her. She seems like she needs a friend.”

“Why, Adam? There’s a lot of fish in the sea. Why chase a messy situation?”

Grumbling to myself, I throw my head back. “I’m not chasing anything. I’m just trying to be a decent guy, okay?”

She cocks her head to the side briefly in pity. “Fine.” She opens and closes her palm rapidly, telling me to drop the key in her hand, but I close my fist around the fob instead and give her a knowing look.

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