Chapter 5
Chapter Five
ALLEY
THEN
“Crap,” I mutter, glaring at my reflection and wishing for a roommate, or an extra arm.
My fingers fumble with the zipper at the back of my dress, one hand reaching awkwardly over my shoulder while the other tries to shove the fabric up.
It’s the last inch. The one spot that’s impossible to reach no matter how flexible you are.
I jump up and down, as if somehow that will magically fix the problem. Desperation makes you do stupid things. Finally, my fingers catch the zipper and tug it into place with a satisfying zip. Relief washes over me as I look at myself in the mirror, the earlier frustration melting away.
Victory.
Slipping on my heels I head over to the full-length mirror in the corner of my studio apartment, working to fasten my earrings as I walk.
If I don’t hurry, I’m going to be late. I smooth my hands over my dress, pausing to glance at myself.
I look good—nothing too flashy, but good enough to feel confident.
The dress code is cocktail attire, and my trusty little black dress never lets me down. It’s short, hitting mid-thigh, and paired with my heels, it gives the illusion of longer legs. My hair is having a rare perfect day, styled in soft, messy beach waves that fall just past my shoulders.
I take a deep breath. Damn. I’m nervous.
I’m meeting Jensen’s friends—his best friend, at that. From what he’s told me about Matt, the party will be filled with wealthy, gorgeous women. The kind who turn heads without trying. I know that. But I can’t let it intimidate me.
I may not be model-gorgeous or come from money, but I can hold my own. Jensen is into me, and that’s what matters. He makes me feel beautiful. More than anyone ever has.
I smile, giving myself one last once-over before grabbing my coat. I thread my arms through the sleeves, grab my purse, and step out the door.
I called an Uber. I didn’t feel like dealing with taxis or the subway from Astoria at this time of night on a Saturday. Plus, it’s stupid cold outside, and the idea of walking any farther than the curb to Jensen’s building door is a hard pass.
Sliding into the backseat, I’m grateful my driver’s in his own world, singing along to the radio.
I settle in, my gaze shifting to the window as my thoughts drift to yesterday morning.
A smile creeps across my face. Lordy, making out with Jensen was hot.
So damn good. And his body? Those abs, that deep V, the faint veins trailing down his hips—holy hell. I get tingly just thinking about it.
I can’t even remember the last time I felt this way about someone. It’s been a while. This is technically only the sixth time I’ve seen Jensen. Well, seventh if I count our coffee shop run-in. No, scratch that—eighth, if I also count the day he woke up from anesthesia.
A small laugh escapes my lips, thankfully drowned out by the music.
Oh, boy. That moment when Jensen was waking up from the drugs?
Hilarious. I’ve seen my fair share of weird things in PACU, but Jensen coming down from his high was unforgettable.
Mumbling about some hot blonde woman and how he wanted to taste her lips again. And then the boner—oh my God.
I wasn’t lying when I told him it’s normal to have an erection after surgery. It happens all the time. But most men don’t laugh about it—or blurt out that they’ve got one. God, me and Cindy were dying.
I redirect my thoughts back to yesterday. Was I really ready to go all the way with him?
Yeah.
I think I was.
I trust him. And trust is, hands down, the most important thing to me in a relationship. I’m attracted to him, he makes me laugh, he’s kind, and he makes me feel like a million bucks.
My phone buzzes in my purse, snapping me back to the present.
I pull it out, glancing at the screen.
Scarlett
Good luck tonight!
A string of sexual emojis follows. I roll my eyes, smiling.
I’m getting nervous.
Scarlett
Girl… why? It’s been a month. You like him. He likes you. If he was gonna bounce, he’d have done it already. Just be your hot-ass self and trust the process.
I like the message just as another comes through. This one’s from Michael.
Michael
Did you get your flight booked for New Year’s?
Yeah. Sorry I forgot to send it to you. I’ll send it now.
I pull up my flight info, snap a screen shot, and send it to Michael.
Michael
Cool. Stella and I will most likely both be working, but Adam or Leo could probably come pick you up.
I shake my head.
They don’t need to do that. I can get an Uber. It’s not even that far—probably be $25-$30. Not a big deal.
Adam is Michael’s childhood best friend, and Leo is his best friend from college. He’s also a silent partner in my brother’s restaurant. Michael’s a phenomenal chef.
Michael
Ok. Well, we can talk about it when it gets closer. You still seeing that same guy?
A smile tugs at my lips. I love that he still takes an interest in me, even with his own family to focus on.
Yeah. On my way to his place right now. He’s taking me to his best friend’s birthday party.
Michael
Well, have fun… Be safe please… in every way.
Ew, don’t talk to me about that. But yes, of course I’ll be safe.
Michael
So you can joke about birthday blow jobs, but I can’t tell you to use a condom, even without saying the word? You’re so weird.
It’s different. I know Stella. You’re my boring, dad-mode older brother. I have to keep your life interesting. But you can’t say that stuff to your little sister. It’s just weird.
Michael
You make no sense.
The car stops at the curb in front of Jensen’s building.
Oh, I’m here. Gotta go. Love you!
I drop my phone back into my purse and step out onto the curb, the winter chill hitting me immediately. Pulling my coat tighter, I follow the same instructions Jensen gave me yesterday to get up to his floor.
I take a deep breath, calming my nerves before I knock on his door. A moment later, it swings open, and I’m caught staring at the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. “Wow. You look great,” I say. I don’t know why I’m so surprised. Jensen’s always attractive. But damn, this man can pull off a suit.
“You should talk. You look gorgeous.” His hand slips into my coat, sliding around my waist, and he pulls me in for a kiss. And damn it, if it doesn’t make my knees go weak.
When he pulls back, his eyes meet mine. “You ready to go?”
“Yeah, but can I leave my coat here?”
“Of course.”
He helps me out of my coat, letting out a low whistle as he drapes it over a bar stool.
“Alley,” he says, his gaze sweeping over me, lingering. “You look hot.”
My cheeks flush, and a smile spreads across my face. “Thank you.”
“So, what’d you do today?” he asks, holding his elbow out for me to loop my arm through.
“Nothing exciting—laundry, cleaning, lunch with Scarlett. That’s about it.” I follow him to the elevator, where we ride down to the lobby before switching to the private one for the penthouse.
“Hey, Mikey,” Jensen says to the elevator operator waiting by the doors.
“Hey, Jensen, my man.” Mikey gives him a quick fist bump and scans a key card.
Honestly, I’ve never visited anyone in New York who has their own private elevator access. Butterflies churn low in my stomach, nerves spreading through me. What if Matt doesn’t like me? The best friend’s opinion matters. A lot.
The doors open, and we step inside just as a woman’s voice echoes across the lobby.
“Jensen, hold the elevator!”
My eyes settle on a stunning brunette with long, sleek hair, a glamorous gold dress that’s definitely designer, and a flawless face to match. Her skin is radiant, and her body? Perfect. She’s stunning—intimidatingly so.
Jensen presses the “door open” button as she hurries through the lobby, pausing to give Mikey a quick hug. “Hey, Mikey, how are you?”
Mikey’s reply fades into the background as my thoughts spiral. She steps into the elevator, her smile widening, before throwing her arms around Jensen in a tight hug. Her perfume—a perfect blend of sweet and expensive—fills the small space, making it feel even smaller by the second.
“Jensen!” she exclaims, squeezing him tighter, like they’re good friends.
“Hey, Jordan,” he says, his tone calm but friendly.
“How the hell are you? It’s been forever!” She pulls back, placing her hand on his chest and giving it a light pat. “God, you look good.”
The doors close, and the elevator lurches upward, the tension palpable.
“Thanks, so do you,” Jensen says genuinely—because, let’s be honest, how could he not?
Her eyes flick to mine just as Jensen’s hand slides to the small of my back. “This is Alley,” he says. “Alley, this is Jordan.”
Her smile doesn’t falter. “Oh, my God, hi.” She wraps her arms around me.
“Sorry, I’m a hugger. It’s so nice to meet you.
” She steps back, looking me up and down.
“Alley, you are gorgeous!” Then, turning to Jensen, she says, “I’m so happy to see you with someone.
” Her attention shifts back to me. “I’m Matty’s ex.
I know, it’s weird, but he’s still one of my best friends. ”
Relief washes over me, though I hate that for a split second, I was nervous she might be Jensen’s ex—or that they’d slept together at some point.
It wouldn’t matter, obviously. Except, my God, how could I possibly compete with someone like her?
She looks like an exotic supermodel. And, annoyingly, she also seems genuinely nice, which would ruin the whole “I can see why he wouldn’t be with her anymore” logic.
“So,” she asks, tilting her head with a curious grin, “are you two together, dating, friends?”
Jensen looks to me. “We’re dating. Haven’t really talked about anything more, but… I’m not seeing anyone else.”
My face warms as Jensen’s gaze locks with mine, sending a rush of heat through my body. “I’m not seeing anyone else, either.” My grin spreads as I say it, happiness filling me as the truth of our feelings settles in the small elevator.