Page 47 of How to Marry the Boss

“No, and I didn’t want to ask.”

“So…then you told him that you overheard him on your eighteenth birthday?” Kami fills in the gaps.

“Not directly. At first, I said it was some guy. But he connected the dots once I said it happened during my party.”

“And then he started laughing?”

“Yep. He kept saying he wasn’t laughing for the reasons I was thinking.” But what other reason could he have? Just talking about it makes me want to cry all over again.

“Hey, come here.” Kami stands and approaches my side of the table to comfort me. A hot sting makes me realize tears are falling down my face. “I’m so sorry. If it’s any consolation, Jake isn’t the kind to laugh at you like that. He’s not usually mean.”

“Well, I must be the exception because he did,” I sniffle.

After giving me a tight squeeze, she loosens her grip to look into my eyes. “I know you’re going to hate me for saying this. But I want you to hear me out.”

I’m not sure I’m braced for this, but I called Kami to be the voice of reason. I need to listen. “Okay.”

“I have a theory, but you have to let me finish before you shoot me down.”

“All right,” I concede as we both sit.

“Think about it. He moves in with you, cooks you dinner, asks me about you, plays this game with you to ask personal questions. Why go to that much trouble just to be your friend?”

I’ve wondered that, too… Is everything Kami and Vance been telling me the reality I just can’t see? “I don’t know. After I walked away from the game, he followed me into my room. And he…kissed me.”

“Not a peck, I presume?”

“Not even close. Full lip-lock and tongue. The works.”

She squeals with excitement. “I knew it. Was it hot?”

“Smoldering,” I groan.

“Yeah? That’s awesome. Good for you, girl.”

“It was the most passionate kiss I’ve ever had. He held me so close.” Just talking about it makes me ache to feel his embrace again.

“Did anything happen afterward?”

“Like what?”

She stares at me like I should know what she means. “Did you guys do it?”

I wish.“He refused to do more than kiss me until I sobered up.”

“But he wanted more.”

“I think he did.” He was hard, after all.

“How do you feel about that?”

“I’m not sure. One minute he overwhelms me. Then seconds later, he does something that humiliates and embarrasses me. Then I blink, and he’s arousing me. A normal guy wouldn’t confuse me this much.”

“A normal guy…or a guy you don’t give a shit about? Maybe Jake makes you feel so many things so quickly because you care.”

“He’s an emotional roller-coaster.” But Kami might have a point.

“I don’t blame you for feeling that way. Things between you two are complicated. But I don’t think that’s his intention.”

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