With a deep exhale, I hop into my truck and moodily, switch on the ignition. Fuck, this sucks. I’d do anything to make it up to Jessie right now, but I have no idea where she lives or how to find her. In a foul mood, I pull up to my condo and slam the door getting out. It doesn’t matter that it’s a balmy afternoon with a slight breeze. I feel terrible about what I did this afternoon, and at the present moment, there’s nothing I can do about it.
Stomping into my condo, I throw my shit on the floor and then get to cooking some dinner. My place is nice, and a lot more than I had in New Jersey because real estate in Nevada is relatively cheap. The condo’s got two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a nice-sized living area. Of course, I haven’t done much with it interior-wise so it’s still kind of a blank white canvas, but I don’t care. I’m sure when I meet the right woman, she’ll get this place set up fine and dandy.
But as I cook, mouthwatering aromas fill my kitchen and they only make me feel worse. Fuck! Jessie has nothing and meanwhile, I’m whipping up a complete meal without any hesitation whatsoever. Maybe I should go hungry too, just so I can accompany her in her despair.
Are you fucking serious? my conscience asks. You haven’t missed a meal since you were eight.
Forlorn, I sit at the counter with my steaming pasta, plump sausage, and tossed salad. Fuck fuck fuck. I hate myself for what I did, and as I take a bite of sausage, hot juice spurts out, practically burning my tongue. But you know what? I deserve it because I was a total asshole today to an innocent girl who deserves better. Grimly, I promise myself to find Jessie and to make it up to her, no matter what it takes.
5
Jessie
“You know, you can’t ignore him forever. Bringing you that food was a nice gesture, wouldn’t you agree?” Tanya asks in a reasonable voice. “I mean, that three bean salad was really good and it was from that fancy Italian deli, right? The one that’s really expensive.”
I sigh. Tanya has been on me for the last few days to thank Jethro for “contributing” food to our communal fridge, but I’ve been avoiding him like it’s my job. After all, I don’t want to see that asshole again. I’m simultaneously embarrassed and humiliated by my poverty, and even worse, he knows about it now. My cheeks flame red, and I look away with a curt nod.
“He’s only bringing us food because I yelled at him. He doesn’t actually really care.”
Tanya looks thoughtful.
“I don’t know. He seemed sincere when he came to ask where you were, and to be honest, I think he was going to apologize. Maybe even take you out to dinner.”
My heart leaps but I force myself to stay strong.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m done with him.”
But Tanya looks skeptical.
“Yeah, but at some point, you’ll have to be in the same room with him again. I mean, we wardrobe assistants go everywhere and we have to work with all the dancers.”
I fix my pretty friend with a look.
“Eventually, but not today. Absolutely not today.”
Tanya looks about to protest again, but then her mouth falls open and she goes slack-jawed.
“Oh hey,” she stammers, looking at someone over my shoulder. “Nice to see you again.”
I whip around and sure enough, it’s Prince Asshole himself. Even worse, he looks absolutely gorgeous in a tiny, stretchy Speedo. The minuscule patch of fabric barely covers his bulge, and of course, we can see those flat pecs, the bulging washboard abs, and those thick thighs that look like tree trunks. I literally feel dizzy in Jethro’s presence, but force myself to stay strong.
“What are you doing here?” I ask flatly. “Are you going to steal our sandwiches again?”
Jethro looks repentant.
“Hey sorry, I didn’t mean to get in your way,” he intones in a deep voice. “But can we talk for moment? Just out in the hallway,” he says. “I want to reiterate how awful I feel about what happened.”
I stare at him.
“Apology accepted. Now go away,” I bite out.
“Jess!” Tanya whispers, looking horrified. “How can you be so rude?”
“No, I get it,” Jethro says calmly. “You’re angry, but please, just let me make it up to you. I have a proposition, and I think you’ll like it. At least hear me out.”
I want to argue, but Tanya throws me an urgent look and jerks her chin, clearly indicating that I should go. Besides, I don’t want this drama to drag on, so with one last surly glance at the man, I strut out the door before spinning around once more.
“Coming?”
He tilts his head and follows before taking my elbow and gently steering me to a deserted hallway nearby. It’s dimly lit, but I can still see Jethro’s sculpted physique, and something flutters in my stomach. Goodness, why isn’t he wearing a robe? I get that the dancers are comfortable with their nudity but please! I need my sanity intact. I glance up from his hung package and then swallow when I look into his blue gaze. Clearly, Jethro just caught me checking out his goods, and his mouth quirks up in a small smile at the corner.