Chapter 14 #2
“My original statement is still valid. Life is more fun when you smile.”
A different kind of silence from the one shared with Tyler falls between us. One I don’t want to bring to an abrupt end.
“He’s sleeping with other people,” I say. “I guess he can do what he wants. But what really irked me was, minutes earlier, he asked me to attend NYPAG with him. I told him no because the last thing I want is to be on his arm, as a friend or otherwise.”
I puff out a frustrated laugh, and Jack drops his hand from over mine.
“But I can picture it now—me standing alone and next to the bar while he carries on with some random girl he’s been boning. All while at a gala for a city I never wanted to be in.” My voice grows increasingly harsh as frustration overtakes me. “I should be playing in London right now.”
As the tears start to build, I quickly swipe underneath my eye.
I won’t let him get the better of me.
“What if you didn’t have to be alone?” Jack’s voice breaks me from my spiral, and I look back at him.
“What do you mean?”
His anxious eyes search my face. “I mean, what if you didn’t have to worry about showing up alone? What if …” He pauses, and I watch his throat work. “What if you were on my arm instead?”
Jack
Did I just say that out loud?
Kendra’s eyes grow wide.
Yep, I said it.
“What?” she replies.
On a wince, I motion between us. “You could come to the gala with me.”
Kendra looks down at the dresser in front of her, clearly processing what I just said. She shakes her head. “If we go as friends, he’ll say I was doing it just to spite him since that’s precisely what he suggested.”
Well, there goes my fallback plan.
The temptation to reach out and tip her chin up to look at me is strong, but I keep my hands firmly by my sides this time. I already pushed boundaries when I tucked her hair a second ago.
“So, what if you pretend to be my real date?”
Christ, the words just keep spilling from my tongue today.
Kendra’s head whips up to mine. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
I can’t tell if her smirk is in response to my proposal or the suppressed excitement I’m feeling too.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
“Deadly,” I reply, holding contact with her deep brown eyes so she can see just how serious I am.
“Jack, he will annihilate you and call me out for being a liar. I told him I wasn’t seeing anyone.”
I balk. “He asked you that?”
She presses her lips together and nods. “That’s why he thinks I’ve gotten over him so quickly. He thinks I’ve moved on with someone else as a rebound.”
“Who gives a fuck what he thinks? I mean, truly, you’ve spent so long fitting around his needs. It’s time to start thinking about what you want.”
A subtle smile brightens her face. “And you think fake dating you is what I want?”
I shrug. “You did say you wanted to have some fun. Sure, it won’t be real, but I can show you what it’s like to date someone who actually gives a fuck. Plus, if it gets him off your back and out of your messages, then that’s an added bonus.”
I know my smile has turned cocky when she rolls her eyes at me in jest.
“You think you’d be a good date, do you, Morgan?”
Determination fills my chest. I know none of this is real, but I can’t help the rush of adrenaline when I think about Kendra Hart on my arm. Even if it is followed by a broken nose from Tyler. Provided I keep things professional and don’t react, he’s the one the Blades will take issue with.
“I’ll sure make you smile a whole lot more than Tyler ever did.”
When she finally releases the dresser handle from her palm, I reach out and push the drawer closed.
“I don’t have anything to wear since I didn’t think I’d be needing a dress anytime soon. I’ll have to head out this weekend and grab one.”
“Sunday,” I reply. “I could take you shopping for a dress and then out for something to eat. We had plans anyway.”
And I can’t think of a better way to spend my birthday.
Kendra holds up a hand. “Oh, no way am I letting you pay for a dress.”
I take her hand in mine, and a breath catches in her throat when I interlace our fingers and drop our joined hands between us.
“If we want to make this believable, then we need to start practicing now. Getting used to holding hands and being intimate in public. If you were my girlfriend for real, then I would one hundred percent be hands on with you. I’d also treat you.
Because that’s what it is, Kendra—a gift.
Not a display of ownership and definitely not a threat to your independence.
So, let’s make this as authentic as we can. Starting on Sunday.”
She’s looking at our hands when I finish speaking. I can’t see her face, but I don’t miss the way her chest rises and falls more rapidly than before.
And when she finally lifts her gaze to mine, relief floods my insides.
“You’d do all of this for me? You’re risking a lot for not much in return, Jack.”
Memories of the way Dad hounded my mum for months after they split resurface. It’s possible that Jon is right, and I am risking my feelings. But if I can help Kendra break free of the web Tyler seems hell-bent to ensnare her in, then that’s reason enough for me.
“Yeah, I would.” I swallow thickly. “Not all guys are as selfish as your ex, Kendra.”