Chapter 4 #2
Dammit.
“Sunny and I are friends,” I tell her.
Sam eyes me skeptically. “I don’t buy it. Last I heard, you two were rivals, vying for the same man.”
My jaw drops. “Did Sunny really say that?”
“Granted, this was a while ago…right after she and Dex got back together. And she was a little more diplomatic, of course,” Sam admits. “But I’m not known for sugarcoating things. ”
“Yeah, no kidding,” I say after a heaving sigh. “Well, Sunny and I have cleared the air since then. She knows that Dex and I were friends with benefits, and nothing more. I was never in love with him.”
Sam crosses her arms. “You hooked up with him in high school, and then again, a few years ago. Call it what you want, but you seem pretty interested in him to me.”
I shake my head. “First of all, Sunny and Dex never dated in high school—so, as far as I knew, he was fair game. I only asked him out after my friends convinced me we belonged together, because we were Homecoming King and Queen. It was silly. Our relationship was purely physical. He never said as much, but I could tell his heart belonged to someone else.”
Sam nods, but doesn’t respond.
“Second of all, the only reason he and I became involved in LA was because Sunny got engaged to Jeremy,” I continue. “Dex was miserable, and I was heartbroken over a past relationship, too. We were both looking for a meaningless distraction.”
Sam purses her lips as she contemplates my answer. Before she replies, she squints at me. “I guess that tracks. And I know Sunny isn’t one to hold a grudge…but she’s one of my closest friends, and I feel very protective over her, that’s all.”
“Like I said, Sunny’s my friend now, too,” I tell Sam. “I mean, it’s not like we sit around comparing notes about Dex. There are certain things we don’t talk about, obviously. But it’s all in the past. If she’s okay with it, shouldn’t you be?”
Sam exhales deeply. “Of course Sunny’s okay with it. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body—never has.” She smirks. “ Unless you count Jeremy.”
A laugh escapes me before I frown. “He really was a jerk. Poor Sunny.”
Sam nods solemnly. “Yeah, she’s been through a lot. That’s why I want to make sure you’re not some scorned ex-lover who’s plotting to steal back her husband. I mean, this is Dex Oliver we’re talking about. No one could blame you if you weren’t over him.”
“Sam, when Dex told me he and Sunny got back together, I was over the moon. They were made for each other. Sunny has no reason to feel threatened by me,” I insist.
“Well, she definitely felt threatened by you in high school,” Sam says pointedly.
I look down at my lap. “Which is ironic, because I was always in awe of Sunny. Not only is she beautiful, she was a star student, too. Especially when it came to English class. Meanwhile, I was a dyslexic cheerleader. It was impossible for me not to compare myself to her.”
To be honest, I still do. Sunny quit her law career to pursue her passion. I don’t think I’d ever have the guts to quit interior design.
Sam bites her lip. “I had no idea. I guess the history between you, Sunny, and Dex is more nuanced than I thought.”
“If there’s one thing I know about Dex, it’s that his heart belongs to Sunny,” I go on.
“Plus, they’re having a baby. Nothing and no one could tear them apart now.
And believe me, I’m the last person you need to worry about.
I don’t even want a relationship. I prefer to keep things casual, same as you. ”
But…Charlie .
My mind cuts back to the moment our hands met on the couch. The glimmer in his eyes. The flush on his cheeks. How can I know his face so well, when we only just met? It’s as if I could reach out and touch him, my memory of his features is so crystal clear.
I shake my head to shatter it.
“Okay,” Sam concedes. “You’ve convinced me. I’m sorry I was an asshole.” She elbows me playfully. “Maybe we can be friends.”
I laugh.
“By the way,” Sam adds, “did you ever tell Sunny how much you admired her in high school? I bet she’d like to know.”
“I did. We had a conversation about it after I read her book, and it brought us a lot closer.”
Sam gasps and reaches for my arm. “You’ve already read her novel? How?! It isn’t coming out until next month!”
I chuckle, even though she’s gripping me so hard I’m pretty sure it’ll leave a mark. “Sunny gave me an advance copy. The book’s loosely based on her romance with Dex, and there’s a character modeled after me. Head cheerleader, homecoming queen, etcetera. She wanted to make sure I approved.”
Sam lets go of me, then squeals excitedly. “Sweet baby Jesus, I need details! Was it amazing?”
I nod. “Sunny’s so talented. I don’t usually fly through books, but I couldn’t put hers down. This was my first time reading romance, and I loved it.”
“You know why it’s my favorite genre? Romance is rebellious.
Well, the romances I read are, at least. They subvert stereotypes, and smash gender norms. And the sex positivity is delicious.
” Her eyes go wide. “Speaking of which, is Sunny’s book super steamy?
Please tell me the love scenes are open-door. ”
“Open-door?” I ask.
“It’s when sex happens on-page, versus off-page. Closed-door romance novels are pointless, if you ask me. Why would I suffer through three hundred and fifty pages of sexual tension if I don’t even get to be there for the release?”
I laugh so hard a tear rolls down my cheek. Sam is hilarious. “Don’t worry,” I say after I regain composure. “Her book is open-door. Like, wide open.”
Sam pumps her fist in the air. “That’s my girl. I knew Sunny wouldn’t let me down.”
“What did I miss?” Vanessa asks, finally returning with Sam’s plate.
“Jenna and I were just bonding. Turns out we have another mutual friend,” Sam says with a little wink at me.
I smile back, relieved she didn’t mention anything about Dex. My friendship with Vanessa is new, but she doesn’t seem the least bit intimidated or threatened by me, which is refreshing. That might change if she knew I used to sleep with a movie star.
“How have you been?” Sam brings her focus to Vanessa. “Since the breakup with Nico?”
Vanessa sighs. “Well, a guy asked for my number this morning, when I was waiting in line to get coffee.” She shakes her head. “He was attractive, too…but I couldn’t do it. I ended up giving him a fake one.”
Sam nods knowingly. “Did he look like he’d be bad in bed? Sometimes you can tell right away. It’s something about their posture, I think. The way they slouch, you know their hips are tight.”
Vanessa laughs. “It most definitely wasn’t because of that. I guess…I’m just not ready to date yet.”
She bites her lip, her brow crinkled, and I know what’s on her mind. The angst in her eyes looks familiar to me, because it’s something I’ve seen in my own many times.
When will I be ready to move on? What if I never am?
I sigh. “You know what we need? We need to finish this incredible meal and get out on that dance floor.”
And that’s what we do. Sam and I get mojitos and rum punches from the bar, since we’re not driving; Vanessa gets virgin daiquiris; and the three of us dance our broken hearts out.
Well, I’m not sure Sam’s heart is broken. I don’t know her story yet, but she seems pretty free-spirited and carefree. Although, finding non-clingy men with loose hips does appear to be a thorn in her side.
After we close down the restaurant, Vanessa drives us home. First she drops off Sam, who gives me a big squeeze when she gets out of the car. Maybe it’s because she’s had one too many rum punches, but I do think she likes me now. I guess it’s safe to say I have two friends in Chicago.
Or three. Does Charlie count?
I can’t stop thinking about him the closer we get to my building.
It doesn’t help that I’m tipsy. I want to run into him again by the elevator.
I want to bring him into my apartment. I want to feel his kissable lips on mine, and his muscular arms around my waist, his hands traveling up my back, unhooking my bra and?—
“I really have to pee,” Vanessa tells me when she pulls up to the curb. “Too many virgin daiquiris. Mind if I come upstairs?”
“Oh my gosh, of course! Follow me.”
Two visitors in one day! I’m on a roll. Damn, those drinks were strong.
I take Vanessa to my apartment, and I’m disappointed we don’t run into Charlie in the elevator or the hallway.
I show her to the bathroom. But while she’s in there, I have a thought.
What if Charlie’s in the hallway right now?
It’s silly, but I’m tipsy. Maybe even drunk.
I open my front door and peek out, but he isn’t there. Bummer.
“Hey lady,” Vanessa says behind me.
Startled, I slam the door shut.
“What was that all about?” she asks with an amused look on her face.
I shake my head and laugh. “I have a new neighbor, and he’s incredibly hot. I was hoping to catch him in the hallway, but he’s probably asleep. We’re having coffee tomorrow morning.”
“That’s so exciting, Jenna!” she says with a beaming smile. “I’m happy for you.”
I shrug. “I don’t actually know if it’s a date. Maybe he only wants to be friends.”
Vanessa raises an eyebrow. “You’re kidding, right? Have you seen yourself? It’s probably safe to assume he’s interested in you. And the way your eyes light up at the thought of him?” Her playful grin turns hopeful. “Do you think this could be more than just ‘casual’?”
The mojitos I drank tonight certainly seem to think so. But as usual, my broken heart is more convincing. “I’m not looking for more than casual.”
Vanessa sighs. “If you say so. Well, let me know how your coffee date goes, regardless. I’m going to head home and let you get some sleep.”
I give her a hug. “Do you have everything?”
“I tossed my purse on your couch. I’ll go grab it.” Vanessa leans over the sofa, but immediately turns back to look at me. “Wait just a minute—what have we here?”
I walk toward her to see what she’s talking about.
Oh no. My DVDs. My rom-coms .
When I meet her gaze, she has her arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. “You’ve given up on love, huh?”
I cross my arms back at her and tilt my head. “What? I can’t give up on love, but still appreciate good cinema?”
Vanessa chuckles into her fist. “ Good cinema ? Okay, I am definitely not buying what you’re selling. I know a hopeless romantic when I see one, and this is irrefutable evidence—like the romance novels stacked on my nightstand.”
I shrug. “Maybe I was a hopeless romantic, once upon a time. But I’m not anymore.”
Hunter .
He’s holding the ring between trembling fingers. The floorboards of my college apartment creak when he takes a step toward me. “Jenna, no. Please…I’m begging you. Don’t do this.” Tears stream down his face.
“Can’t you see I’m doing this for you?” I plead with him. “ Because I love you more than anything?”
He shakes his head. The light fades from his beautiful ocean-blue eyes. Now they’re dark. Grim. Full of disappointment. Maybe even disgust. And when he speaks, I don’t recognize the voice coming out of his mouth. “You’re not the person I thought you were.”
They’re the last words he says before he leaves. And I know they’ll haunt me for the rest of my life.
“Moving on from heartbreak is easier said than done,” Vanessa continues with a sigh. “Trust me, I know. But you deserve your happy ending.”
The best I can do without bursting into tears is smile and wrap my arms around my new, sweet friend.
But as I’m hugging her, all I can think is— she’s wrong .