Page 61 of Charming Like Us
Not upset I lost a bet, I’m about to return toThe Grapes of Wrathwhen Akara reaches for his phone and asks, “Hey, everyone, is it okay if I invite Jack over for lunch?”
I solidify.
Kitsuwon.He cannot do this to me right now. His friendship with Jack is going to fucking kill me. I imagine Jack strutting in and smiling that hundred-watt smile as he says,“Beautiful people”to everyone—and I can’t.
Not today.
Not now. Not when I’m setting boundaries tomorrow.
“We love Jack; of course you can invite him,” Jane says, sitting across Thatcher’s lap on a chair.
My head dizzies, and I skate a hand down my mouth.
I feel Farrow and Donnelly eyeing the living fuck out of me.
Come on, Oliveira.I go to speak, but breath is tight in my chest.
“Nah,” Donnelly says coolly. “There’s not enough food.”
“There’s plenty here,” my brother pipes in with knotted brows.
Farrow opens his mouth, about to slingshot another excuse, but I locate my vocal cords. Loudly, I declare to everyone, “I’d rather not see Highland right now.”
The rooftop deadens, except for Ripley babbling in his dad’s arms and the music speakers blaring “Chega” by DUDA BEAT, Mateus Carrilho, and Jaloo. Another of my song additions.
“Did something happen?” Akara questions, actually concerned.
Absolutely love Kitsuwon as my boss. I’d move mountains for Akara. He cares and would put his ass over hot coals for my ass, so I’d do it for him. Not all men I’ve worked under in security were like that.
Did something happen?
I bake under embarrassment and the sun. “Yeah.” I pick myself off the patio. “I made a mistake and asked to kiss a straight guy.”
The Moretti brothers, plusmylittle brother, and Akara stare dumbfounded and shocked.
Way too many people know now about the rejection.
But there’s no turning back.
“Look, you can invite Jack,” I tell everyone. “I don’t mind, but just give me a warning beforehand. Because I’m leaving if you do.”
Akara is quick to say, “We don’t have to invite him, Oscar.”
I nod once.
So deep in my feelings, that I tell them I’m going to use the bathroom. But I take my two books and just head inside to cool off.
14
JACK HIGHLAND
“I just don’t getwhy you live in a closet,” Jesse complains over the phone, his choice of words icing me over, even if he’s just referring to the size of my apartment. “My surfboard can barely fit next to yours.”
I ride the elevator up thirty-three floors to the penthouse. My camera hangs at my hip, the strap across my chest, and I remind myself tobreathe.In, out.
Ride the swell.
“I don’t know why you brought your board, Jess,” I tell my little brother. “You’re my PA, when do you think you’ll have time to drive an hour and a half to New Jersey and surf?”
