Page 38 of Agony

“Tell me about your cousin and your boyfriend,” he said.

“How’d you know Arsen was my boyfriend?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Neve, even from over here, I could see the look he was giving me,” he replied with a laugh.

“Oh. Sorry. Um, well I’ll start that since that’ll be the shorter story of the two. Met him three days ago, became ‘official’ less than twenty four hours ago, and I’m probably gonna be single again if I don’t get home soon,” I said meaningfully.

Jareth threw his head back and laughed.

“That’s a pretty fast relationship there. You guys gonna move in together tomorrow?” he teased as he got up from his chair to look for Mandy.

She handed him the bill and he took money out of his wallet, handed her one hundred dollars and told her to keep the change. She looked shocked and very happy.

I followed Jareth through the ritzy restaurant to the front door and out onto the city streets.

“What time do you need me on Monday?” I asked him.

“Shooting won’t start until six a.m., but if you can get there by four, that would be awesome.”

“Will do. See you then, boss!” I said walking away.

“I can give you a ride if you want,” Jareth called out.

I turned around and looked at him for a moment. I would much rather not walk back if I didn’t have too. I smiled and followed him to his car.

“Very nice,” I remarked when he hit the disarm button on his key chain. I saw the lights on a sleek, charcoal gray Porsche blink.

He grinned as he opened the driver’s side door and got in. I let myself into the passenger side and pulled on my seatbelt. Once I was comfortable, I pulled my phone out again and checked my texts.

They were all from Addie.

12:32: God he’s so hot. Jareth, I mean.

1:50: Are you coming home soon? I think Arsen might be jealous.

2:43: Okay he’s definitely jealous. Get your ass home.

3:11: Neve Grace Dutton! I’m sick of answering questions, come home!

5:02: This had better be the most amazing “lunch” in the world. Your boyfriend is driving me apeshit.

I giggled and put my phone away. Jareth glanced at me curiously before he pulled away from his parking spot.

“Addie. Apparently Arsen has been hounding her with questions,” I explained.

“Which way do I go?”

“Left at the second light.”

“What’s he asking her about?”

“When I was coming home I guess,” I replied.

I watched a small smile cross Jareth’s lips, “Yeah. I guess I can see where that would come from.”

Ugh. He’s conceited. Minus 1,000 hot points.

“And why is that?” I asked, giving him a sidelong glance.

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