CHAPTER 23
The dress fit me like a glove, smoothing over the curves that have filled my lanky teenage body throughout the years. The thin, delicate straps sat snugly over my shoulders, and the pressed sheath fabric lay perfectly over my body, stopping a few inches past my calf and covering my scars. I loved it.
I decided to get a bit fancier and pinned half my hair up with a crystal barrette.
“Hey,” I whispered as I stepped out of the bedroom.
Jay’s head pivoted as he took me in. A gleam coated his eyes as he muttered, “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I said shyly as I made my way to him.
“You ready to go?”
I nodded. We filled up Strawberry’s bowl and gave her a few cuddles as we headed out.
“Give me ten minutes. I’ll get dressed,” he said, rushing upstairs just as we entered his apartment.
I walked over to his kitchen to make myself a dreamy cup from his coffee machine. It was the weekend, so I had off from work.
“Hey, Helen,” I greeted her just as she placed something in the oven. “Whatever it is, it smells delicious.”
“Morning, darling. I’m just putting away some chicken bake for dinner.” She gave me a warm smile.
“I’m just going to make myself a cup. I miss this machine.” I placed the mug on the stand while I waited. “How’s baby Rea?”
Rea was her granddaughter, who was just over a few months old, and from the pictures, she was the cutest bundle of joy ever.
“Ah, she’s such a sweetheart. I can’t wait to go home and cuddle with her.” She wiped the counter and hung the rag on the oven handle. “So are you and Master Jameson dating?”
The coffee almost sloshed all over my dress from her question. “Hmm, no,” I muttered. “We’re just friends.”
A knowing smile danced over her lips. “I’ve never seen him so taken by any girl before.”
My throat worked a swallow as I sipped the bitter goodness. “You know we used to date in high school. But that was a long time ago. We are just friends now.” Helen and I had become good friends during the time that I was living here. I gave her the CliffsNotes version of the relationship dynamics between Jay and me although I didn’t say anything about the reason for our breakup.
She shook her head. “Well, I’m heading out, darling. Can you tell him that dinner is warming up in the oven?”
“Yes,” I squeezed her in for a hug.
“Bye, Evy. You have a nice day!” She waved as she headed out.
“Bye, you too. Give Rea a kiss from me.”
I sighed happily as I took the last sip of my coffee, enjoying the view from the windows.
My neck heated as pinpricks of awareness swam all over my body. I knew he was behind me.
“You ready?” he whispered. He was so close that I could feel his hot breath on the base of my neck.
“Yes.” I spun around, and I faltered as I took in his towering frame.
Cool black suit. Crisp shirt. Calm blue eyes.
My fingers grasped the hand he held out for me, and his strong fingers wrapped around them while he ran his thumb over the back of my hand.
I guess friends held hands now? But I didn’t complain. Why? Because I was addicted to even the smallest touch from him.
He still didn’t let my hand go as I followed him to an elaborate modern gallery on Fifth Avenue.
“Mr. Jameson, it’s so nice to meet you. I’m Allie; I’ll be your curator today.” She grinned as she held her hand out to Jay.
He nodded, giving her a firm shake but quickly linked his arm with me, bringing me to his side. I peered at him, but his expression gave nothing away. We might as well be a couple instead of friends to the outside eye.
The grin slipped from Allie’s face as she regarded me. “I wasn’t expecting a guest.”
“This is Evelyn. She’ll be joining us today.”
“Of course, sir.” She plastered on a fake smile. “Miss Katy had already picked out a few pieces from our video call this week, so I’ve arranged them all for you. It’s this way if you’ll follow me.”
I guess I was invisible.
“Jay, I think I should’ve become an artist instead of trying to be a writer.”
“Why?” His brows furrowed.
I pointed at the painting I’d been staring at for the past five minutes, wondering why it was a quarter of a million. Repelled emotion , it was called, but it was just a plain white canvas smothered with a thick brushstroke of crimson across the middle with a few drips down the underside. Almost as if the painted swipe was crying tears of blood.
“I could do that, Jay. I don’t understand why it costs an arm. Maybe if I switched professions, I could’ve been a millionaire by now.”
His chuckle filled the quiet of the gallery as he pulled me closer. “God, Evy.”
Allie, the art curator, side-eyed me while he still chuckled. I had the irresistible urge to poke my tongue out at her, but I must maintain my decorum at this prestigious art gallery.
After an hour, we decided on five pieces that actually looked good enough to cost that monumental amount. Allie informed us that it would be safely delivered while she held Jay’s hand for a good minute under the pretense of saying goodbye while I got a condescending chin lift.
I rolled my eyes as we slid into the car. “Are they always like that?”
Jay powered his Porsche 911 down the road. “It comes with the job.” He shrugged.
“It was like I didn’t even exist.” I waved my hands around. “I wanted to scream, hello, there’s a full-blown woman standing next to your rock god.”
He laughed, pulling one of my hands and brushing his soft lips over the back of it. Just like he used to. Fuck, what was he doing? My heart was already head over heels for him. He needed to stop before we combusted, only this time into nothing.
“How about lunch?” he inquired.
“Where?”
“I know a place, and we’re all dressed up. Why let it go to waste?”
I tsked. “Whatever you say, Mr. Jameson.”
A laugh broke out of him once again filling the speeding car.
We drove a bit outside the city until we turned down a twisted driveway that ended in a huge black gate. Inside were acres and acres of land with a sprawling mansion in the center.
Several expensive cars lined the cobbled pathway.
Jay opened my car door and held my hand as he pulled me outside.
“Sir.” A member of the staff nodded at Jay.
Even as I climbed up the two steps on the entryway, I could sense the expensiveness in the air.
“This is Evelyn, my guest,” Jay said to the man stationed in the doorway.
“Of course, sir.” He nodded as he scribbled something on the iPad that he was holding.
“Thank you,” Jay mumbled as we stepped inside the foyer.
It was all Italian marble, dark wood, and crystal chandeliers.
Men and women were dressed in utmost luxury.
Thank God I was wearing something that Jay got me instead of my usual attire.
“What’s this place?” I muttered as he led me through the hallways.
“It’s a private club called Alcateon. They’ve got a bit of everything.”
I nodded. “You mean private club for the rich and the famous. Like a secret society kind?” I whispered the last part.
“Yeah, Evy. Although, as far as I’m aware, there’s no secret society associated with this branch.”
“Branch?” I raised a brow.
“Yeah, it’s the most exclusive club in the world. They have several branches, and it’s hard to become a member.”
“Whoa, and they just let me in?”
“That’s because I’m an S-class member, that’s the top-tier customer, and I pay them a lot. So I can bring anyone I want.”
“What if I take pictures and post them online?” I whisper.
His gaze swept to me sideways. “Trust me, you don’t want to do that. The club is owned by some very powerful families around the world.”
“It only piques my intrigue more.”
He shook his head as he walked over to a huge door leading to some sort of bar.
Bloodred carpet covered the floor, with the same dark wood and crystal chandeliers continuing. A curved glass over the side covered the side wall, showing off the expansive view outside.
As we sauntered to our table, we stopped short as a man in a crisp tailored suit halted before us.
“J.J.,” he said in a rich husky voice. Although it sounded American, a hint of Italian accent was laced in his undertone.
His white shirt was opened at the top, revealing a thick gold chain that had an antique cross pendant. He was as tall as Jay, if not an inch taller, with dark black hair, longer on the top and shorter on the sides. A mole sat on top of his thin upper lips, and with a slanted pert nose that looked like it’s been broken one too many times, he looked like a Mafia prince.
“Julian.” Jay nodded, gesturing to me. “Meet Evelyn.”
“Evelyn.” Julian jutted his chin toward me as he locked his dark brown eyes with me.
“Hello,” I replied, meekly.
Julian darted his eyes at Jay. “I’ll see you in the meeting soon.”
“Until then.” Both men shook their hands.
“Why did the man who looked like he might own half of Italy have a meeting with you?” I asked as I eased into the seat Jay pulled out for me near the windows.
He raised a brow as he slid in opposite me. “Actually, he might. Julian is a real estate mogul who owns half of NYC, plus their family the Stormholds’ runs the Alacteon branches along the East Coast. As for the meeting, he owns the building we are interested in for Matt’s label.”
“Oh, that makes sense.”
It felt like a date as we chatted along, sipping on wine and tasting some of the most expensive delicacies that I would’ve never dreamed of having.
I wasn’t sure if I should say anything.
We had so many buried issues that were merely simmering over the surface, and I didn’t want to ruin the moment.
So I kept quiet as I enjoyed the present.
It was all that mattered, right?
“Good night.” Jay hugged me tight as he ran his hands all over my back later that night when he dropped me off at my place.
“Good night,” I mumbled against his shirt, nuzzling my cheek on his chest.
Neither of us let go as we stood there, relishing each other, not willing to part.
After a few long minutes, I reluctantly pulled away, resting my chin on his chest as I peered up at him.
He leaned closer and pressed his forehead to mine.
“I have to go,” I muttered.
He slid his fingers down my back and ground his hips against mine.
I groaned as I felt his hard bulge rub against my core. “We can’t,” I spurted out.
“Can’t friends fuck? It’s going to kill me to walk away tonight when you look like that,” he whispered, leaving soft kisses on my face.
A broken chuckle spilled my lips. “We tried that? Remember? Being fuck buddies?”
“Yeah.” He sighed, brushing his nose against mine. “You’re right.” He pulled away, leaving a healthy gap between us. “I shouldn’t have said that.” He ran his fingers through his hair.
“It’s okay.” My voice was like sludge—the thick tension in the air was affecting every single inch of me.
“Good night, Evy.” He locked his blues with mine.
“Good night, Jay,” I whispered as I closed the door between us.