Page 61 of Cinderella Screwed Me Over
“Of course not. I just don’t think it was very professional. Unless her real profession is an escort. She is kind of dressed for it.”
“You’re the one who said you were my interior designer.” Jake hugged me into him, a smug expression on his face. “How much do I owe you, by the way?”
“You couldn’t afford me.” I glanced around, looking for where to go next. When I saw Miss Perky watching us, I grabbed Jake’s shirt and pulled him in for a kiss—the kind of kiss I don’t normally do in a public place.
Jake moved his lips to my ear and whispered, “I’m going to have to bring you here more often.”
While he was obviously amused by my jealousy, panic was winding through me, mixing in and making my stomach clench. This level of jealousy scared me because it burned more than it should.
Because it was the way I usually feltafterI’d already fallen for a guy.
Chapter Twenty-one
“They delivered the furniture and everything else,” Jake said when I answered my phone. “So whenever you’re free, I need you to get up here and tell me where to put it all. I don’t want to do it wrong.”
For a couple of days I’d kept busy, keeping my contact with Jake to a text here and there. I was better now. A little jealousy could totally happen pre-fall. Besides, I was his interior designer; I had to do my job, right? And if the thought of seeing him to do my job sent excitement zipping through me, that was an added bonus. “I’ll be right there.”
I moved to my closet, scanning it for my sneakers—not what I’d normally wear to see Jake, but they were the best option when it came to moving furniture.
“I didn’t mean you have to come now. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see you, but I know you go to work earlier than I do. It doesn’t have to be tonight.”
I tugged on one sneaker, then switched the phone to my other ear and put on the other one. “It’s not that much stuff, so it won’t take us very long. Besides, this is my favorite part. ”
“I’ll see you in a few minutes, then,” he said.
I hung up and tossed the phone onto my bed, already planning the layout of Jake’s living room. He’d bought a coffee table and matching entertainment center. Unable to help myself, I’d pointed out a few other things that would pull his room together. I’d convinced them to knock 20 percent off Jake’s purchase, got my lamp for next to nothing,andgot them to throw in free delivery. Jake said he was impressed by my mad bargaining skills.
A short elevator ride later, I arrived at Jake’s, toolbox in hand.
“I have tools,” he said.
“Well, you never know.” I set the box down on the floor. “First the rug, then we’ll get everything set up around it.”
Over the next forty-five minutes, we positioned and rearranged the room. Once I got started, I liked to go until I was happy with it.
I stepped back and looked at the finished project. “What d’ya think? Personally, I really like the black-and-white landscape picture there, but if you don’t agree, let me know. You can be honest if you hate it. Any of it.”
“I like it. It’s homey.” Jake grabbed my hand. “We better try out the couch.”
“The couch is the same.”
“But it might feel different now.”
“It’s late, and I’ve got to be up early for a meeting.”
Ignoring my protest, he tugged me toward the couch. He sat, pulling me with him, reclining back against the arm. He wrapped his arms around me and pressed a kiss to my temple. “It definitely feels better.”
I kicked off my shoes, tucked my feet up, and leaned my head against his chest. “It is pretty comfortable.”
“So, is this about what you do with most of your clients?” Jake asked.
“Cuddle afterward?”
He laughed. “Yes. That’s exactly what I meant.”
“Usually people who hire me want big remodeling done. We build shelves or knock down walls—I hire people to do it, anyway. New paint, flooring, lots of decorations and knickknacks. Some people prefer textures and patterns. I tend to keep things simpler with clean lines and comfort in mind.”
“At least now I have a place to rest my food and feet.”
