Page 55 of So in Love
Like her entire career had been.
At eighteen, she’d barely graduated high school.School had always been a struggle, but halfway through her senior year, she’d started going out with Tommy and things had gone downhill.She’d started doing drugs with him and having sex.Lots of sex.
Alaina had taken off for Hollywood two days after graduation—she’d been saving for years.Crystal had been saving too, but she’d blown through most of it with Tommy.So she’d stayed behind while Alaina had escaped.
“I haven’t started it,” Crystal answered.“I’m still trying to fill some holes.I’d really like to know why the KKK burned the brothel down.”
“You may just have to write something.Maybe one of the women was black.”
That made the most sense.“I haven’t decided what to do yet.”But she’d been thinking about it.She was excited to write the proposal.On her own—she didn’t want help.
“I’d be happy to brainstorm with you.”
“I appreciate the offer, really.But I’m not quite ready yet.”Crystal’s stomach twisted.She ought to tell Alaina the truth, that this was something she needed to own.But she didn’t want to get into a heavy discussion right now.They had work to do.She’d talk to her about it soon.“Let’s get busy, shall we?”
Alaina exhaled.“Fine.You’re such a task master.”
“And you love me for it.”
“I do.I really, really do.”She blew Crystal a kiss and led the way to her office.
Once inside, Alaina deposited herself in her favorite chair and propped up her feet on the footstool.“Before we get started, I wanted to ask you about something.Andpleasedon’t be mad at me.”
Uh-oh.“Why would I get mad at you?”
Alaina shrugged.“I don’t know.But it’s clear you’ve been keeping a secret, so maybe you’ll be mad that I’m asking you about it.”
Crystal sat on the sofa, exhaling.“Spit it out.”
Alaina stroked her hand over her expanding belly.“Thanks to junior here, I’m not sleeping great.When you were here at the beginning of the month, I noticed you came home in the middle of the night a couple of times.Anything you want to share?”
Suddenly, Crystal wondered why she hadn’t.She’d told Brooke and Kelsey.Wasn’t Alaina her best friend?“It’s not a huge deal.I got a little cozy with Jamie.”
“‘Cozy’?”Alaina looked a bit surprised.“Is this a good thing?I can’t tell if you’re happy about it.”
Crystal thought of the time she spent with Jamie, how she’d missed him while she’d been in LA—and yeah, she’d missed him—and how she couldn’t wait to see him.“It’s a good thing.It’s also a verycasualthing.Which is why I didn’t say anything.”It had simply come up in conversation with Brooke and Kelsey, just like it had now with Alaina.
Crystal pushed her hair back and gave Alaina an apologetic look.“Although, I did sort of lie about New Year’s Eve.That was the first time we, uh, hooked up.”
Alaina laughed, her gaze alight with teasing admonishment.“You stinker.Now you have to dish.Thenwe’ll get to work.”
“Okay.”Crystal grinned and proceeded to give her the PG-13 version.
Later, Alaina invited her to stay for dinner, but Crystal was anxious to see Jamie.She drove into town and parked outside his loft.She hesitated, thinking she ought to have texted him, but a surprise was better, wasn’t it?Her blood heated when she thought of the welcome he’d give her…
She got out of the car, taking just her key fob and phone with her as she went to the door.Luck was on her side as someone else was just coming out.The woman, nearly old enough to be Crystal’s mother, held the door open, asking, “Visiting?”
Crystal nodded.“Jamie Westcott.”
“He’s a nice boy.”She smiled and let go of the door after Crystal moved inside.Boy.As if Crystal needed a reminder that she was kind of robbing the cradle here.
Oh come on, five years is not that bad!
Anticipation thrumming through her veins, she went up the elevator to his floor and quickly strode to his loft.She knocked, and a moment later, he opened the door.
Seeing him in person was so much better than FaceTime.He wore slouchy gray sweatpants and a long-sleeved Manchester United shirt.And he had some seriously sexy stubble going on.
“Hey,” she said, leaning against the doorframe.“You growing a beard?”
