Page 24 of Be a Good Girl

“Hey, Alice.” I smirk, toying with her slightly as I throw my arm up over the back of the couch, not quite around Fran, but almost. Alice’s eyes go wide, and her lips part in something like mild shock. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I can tell,” she replies.

“This is Charlie,” I say, pointing. “My roommate. And this is Fran. She works at the coffee shop up the block–”

“Can I talk to you for a moment?” Alice snaps, storming away into my room. For a second there, I thought there was going to be an incident.

“Excuse me, guys,” I say as I get up from the couch.

“Everything cool?” Charlie asks. I shoot him a nod before following her into my bedroom.

I barely have a chance to step inside before Alice slams the door and glares at me, her eyes steaming with anger.

“Who isthat?”she asks, pointing out toward the living room.

“Who?” I ask innocently.

“Oh, don’t play stupid with me. That girl out there you were cuddling up with!”

I laugh. “I wasn’t cuddling up with anybody. I told you that’s Fran. She’s a barista who comes over for our weekly movie night where we watch old movies. She has good taste.”

“And why wasn’tIinvited to this weekly movie night?”

“I haven’t heard from you all day, Alice,” I reply. “I called you, but it went straight to voicemail.”

“Yes, I was–I was occupied.”

She’s stuttering over her words. Something is really bothering her, and it goes way beyond me teasing her with Fran back on the couch.

“Do you have something on your mind, Alice?” I ask. “You seem…”

“Upset?” she asks, her voice sounding slightly unhinged. “Yes, I am upset, Damien. And do you want to know why?”

She turns away from me and runs a hand through her hair. I’ve never seen Alice like this before–so completely distraught. Not even after she was attacked by Charlie back at her office. This is a woman who is always in control, always in charge. She’s one of the most successful female businesswomen in the country, and right now she looks like she’s on the verge of breaking down.

“Alice–”

“How did you do it, Damien?” she asks, turning back at me. “That night at La Bernadin. Not only did you get us a table there, but you paid for the entire dinneryourself. On the salary you make as a messenger?”

I smile, which clearly only gets her going even more.

“And theyknew youthere. So it’s not like this was a one-time thing you saved up for. You go there a lot. La Bernadin is one of the city’s top restaurants!”

I see where she’s going with this. I guess now’s the time. The truth is going to finally come out.

“And those suits! Those suits you wear aren’t cheap, Damien! How are you paying for these things, but you still share an apartment in Brooklyn? Your life–it just makes no sense to me!”

Alice is starting to break down. I can see tears beginning to well up in the ducts of her eyes and immediately take her by the arms, but she wriggles free and backs away, circling around to one side of my bed.

“Alice, take a breath.”

“Your life makes no sense, Damien!” she cries out. “You’re not just a bike messenger. I know that! And I want to be with you, Damien! I’m thinking about leaving my job for you! But if you want me to do that, you need to tell me the truth!”

I shouldn’t be surprised at this moment. I knew it was coming. I guess I just wasn’t expecting it to come today. Not after the incredible night we had yesterday.

“Okay.” I nod. “I understand.”

I pull my chair out from my desk and offer it to Alice. At first, she declines, but I’m able to get her to sit and finally take a few deep breaths.

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