Page 70 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

“I so need to go on a diet,” she said.

“Jess, seriously, I’m not going to repeat myself. You don’t need to diet—you’re already skinny enough.”

“Yeah, but I think if I lost ten more pounds, Jake would ask me out.”

I rolled my eyes and dropped my pencil in my notebook. “If Jake isn’t asking you out now, that should say enough. He’s probably gay.”

“No way!”

“You’re so pretty, babes. Don’t be so shallow-minded, and don’t settle for super shallow guys. They’re not worth it, not even mega dream jocks likeJake Matthews.”

She was silent for some seconds. I took it as a good sign. Hopefully my advice was sinking in.

“How come you won’t give Ryan a chance?” Jess finally asked. “You’ve got the guy wrapped around your little finger.”

I wasn’t sure how to answer that. “I don’t know … I’m taking my time. I’m not one to commit to anything serious so soon.”

“Is it because of your mommy and daddy issues?”

My face went bright red.

“Oh—shit,” Jess said. “I really don’t have a good filter sometimes and I end up blurting things out stupidly. I’m sorry, Aria.” She frowned. “That came out sounding insensitive.”

“No, it’s fine.” I brushed off the injury with a smile. “You’re right, my commitment issues are all because of the ugly history between my parents. I’ve sort of developed this fear of getting close to people, especially guys. I feel like nothing will ever last. I mean, my parents are a prime example of failed high school relationships, and they were supposedly sweethearts. I don’t think I was a planned pregnancy, to say the least.”

“Still, it must be way cooler having younger parents. My ’rents are in their mid-’50s and unbelievably boring. God, they areso old,” she emphasized. “But your dad is like so frickin’ awesome, not to mention a total hunk!”

“Jessica!”

“Sorry, sorry! I’m just being honest. I’m sure it’s not the first time you’ve heard that he’s complete eye candy.”

Indeed it wasn’t, but it annoyed me how all my girlfriends had these secret girl crushes on him. All this jealousy that I was feeling was pointless.To what end?The question depressed me.

“I’ve got some juicy gossip to share with you.” Jess rolled onto her tummy, swinging her legs back and forth. “Technically, I’m not supposed to tell you this, but oh well.” She giggled. “I pledged no loyalty to Steph, so …”

I arched an eyebrow at her in curiosity and asked, “What do you mean?”

“Stephanie told me today that the next time you invite her over, she’s going to put the moves on your dad.”

“What?” That shouldn’t have surprised me.

“She’s so hot for Noah, it’s insane. She was telling me about her plans to seduce him.”

“Oh, really?”

I was suddenly raging on the inside.

“Yeah, she went through all these fantasy scenarios. Being alone with him … slowly pulling his pants down …” Jess covered her mouth and tried to stifle her laughter. “And she said she wants to suck his—you know …” She threw her head back, giggling harder than ever.

“Oh my God! Okay, enough!” The sheer thought of snobby Stephanie Cohen getting it on with Noah made me want to puke. I was extremely irritated, but I didn’t show it.

“I just think it’s funny,” Jess said. “I’ve been over at your house so many times, and your dad is always charming and nice. I wouldn’t worry about Steph. She’s lost in some crazy fantasy.”

Steph was labeled one of the sexiest girls at school. There wasdefinitelylots to worry about. I didn’t want her over anymore.

“Besides,” Jess added. “I think she’s way too chicken to actually put these plans into action. Your dad’s married to a woman who’s got the body of a porn star. I doubt our deluded friend would be an ideal lay for him.”

I had to change the subject before I’d start to vent about Noah’s marriage problems, but Jess got there first.

---