Page 19 of Highest Bidder
“To dinner and a movie,Mom,” I tease. Her footsteps on the hardwood floor indicate she’s getting closer. I’m dressed in my purple sundress and playing with different hairstyles.
Jess places her hand on her hip. “I’m trying to look out for you. Like what if you get kidnapped? What if he takes you to his house and won’t let you leave?” Taking her hand off her hip, she waves her index finger at me. “What if he takes you to another state, and I can’t find you? You know that can happen!” she says while nervously biting her thumbnail, her eyes getting bigger by the second. She holds out her hand. “Give me your phone. I’m going to turn on your location, so I can find you.”
“Jess, none of that is going to happen, and you have got to lay off the true crime.” I glance at her reflection in the mirror as I pull a few strands of hair on the side, seeing if I want to put them in a braid.
I startle when she lets out a high-pitch gasp. My heart beats fast as I whip around to look at her. “What?”
She’s still standing at my door when her hands fly over her mouth. “I’ll have to call yourmother.”
I roll my eyes and turn back to my mirror. “For heaven's sake, Jess.” I pull my hair back into a low bun to see how I like that. “You need to calm down. He’s a nice guy. I don’t understand why you don’t like him. He’s nice to you at work. What do you have against him?” I turn to look at her, forgoing anything I was attempting to do with my hair.
“I just don't like himwithyou.” Spinning around, she goes back into the kitchen.
I still have to finish my hair and makeup, but I have to know what she means. I stand up, following her into the kitchen. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I cross my arms over my chest. “Why don’t you like himwithme? He’s kind, opens doors for me, and isn’t bad to look at. What more could you want?” my voiceelevates. Nickelback prances into the kitchen and puts his paw on my leg, his nails digging into my skin. Wincing, I hold his paw in my hand instead to relieve the sting.
She balls her hands into fists. “Didn’t you notice that he only started being nice to me once he wanted to date you? Like he couldn’t spend a few minutes out of his day trying to be kind until he wanted to datemyfriend.”
I scoff. “What are you talking about? He’s always been nice.”
“No. He has not. Not to me, at least.” Jess huffs and covers her face with her hands before meeting my eyes again. “Do you seriously not see it?”
My eyebrows raise while my jaw gapes. “What?”
She sighs. “I’m just saying that dealers are kind to you. Not because of who you are, but what you can do for them. I am just a block clerk, so they don’t need to be kind to me unless they want something.” She takes a deep breath. “Then once they get it, they toss me aside.”
“Jess,”—I start to say but stop when I can’t find the words.
She grabs my hand in hers. “I’m just saying that it’s noticeable, and it seems really fake.”
I nod, trying to understand. “I guess, but I didn’t know him before. James has only been kind to me.”
She sighs and turns around to get a mug out of a cabinet. “I know. I guess I was hoping he would have shown his true colors by now.” She glances at the clock on the stove. “You better go finish getting ready.” Putting the mug on the counter, she turns around, goes to the refrigerator, and pulls out leftovers for her dinner.
“Okay.” I quickly pet Nickelback and head into my room.
“For what it’s worth”—Jess peaks her head inside my door. “If you are truly happy with him, I hope he proves me wrong.”
I smile, appreciating her words.
I finish my hair by putting gel in it before turning my head upside down to use the diffuser on my hair dryer. I’m almostdone with my makeup when I hear the knock on the front door.Crap.I was hoping to be completely ready, so we could leave when he got here. But because of my little spiff with Jess, I’m running behind.
“Jess, do you mind getting the door?”And be nice.
“Sure,” she says, and I hear her open the door. “Hi, James.”
“Oh, hey, Jess. Is Hunter ready?” His calm tone comes through the house.
“No. Come in. Pretty sure she’s almost done.” Her voice is monotone. It doesn’t sound like her at all and that bothers me. She’s become such a close friend, and I want her to like who I’m dating. “Nickelback, get down. Sorry, he loves new people.”
I quickly finish my makeup. It’s not like I wear much of it, anyway. Usually, I prefer nothing, but I add a little around my eyes for work and dates. Taking one last look in the mirror, I wipe a little mascara off my eyelid and head out to the living room.
James stands by the door, looking a little uncomfortable with his hands in his pockets and continuous glances at my furry friend. He’s wearing khaki pants with a blue polo shirt that almost looks too small, and his hair is styled a little messy.
“Wow! Hunter, you look great!” he says, looking me over before glancing at Jess and Nickelback with a grimace.
What the fuck was that?
“Thanks!” I rub my hand down my dress to smooth any leftover wrinkles. “Are you ready to go?”
