“Sorry I’m late.”
Jasmine smiles. “Don’t be. We were just talking about how great last night was.”
I’m reaching for my water and nearly knock it over.How great last night was?Is she kidding?
She goes on, “Everyone was so pleased with the funds I raised. Oh, and theDaily Newscalled it the perfect pre-event to the gala.”
Dru says, “I never had a doubt. You’re so talented, Jasmine.”
I feel like I’m trapped in a twilight zone. I was raped last night, and she’s acting like nothing happened!
Jasmine beams at Dru. “Thank you.” She turns to me. “What about you? Did you get some rest after Jafar and I left?”
My cheeks flame. I don’t want to talk about this, especially right now.
“A little.”
“Good. Once you calm down, you’ll have to let Jafar know this was just a misunderstanding. Why, I’m certain he would have killed Al last night if he found him.”
My stomach roils. “A misunderstanding?”
“He thinks Al tried to rape you, but that’s not what happened at all, is it?”
Tried to rape me? Is that what she thinks? There was notryingabout it. He raped me. He raped me!
Dru snorts. “Why would someone like Al have to resort to raping someone like Ellie?”
Jasmine nods her agreement. “That’s what I said, too.”
“You two were all over each other last night,” Dru adds. “The way you were acting, we all knew you were going to end up in bed. Don’t be one of those women who has sex and then regrets it and tries to claim rape.”
My head spins, and I stand. “I’m not feeling well.”
I shouldn’t have come. I should have packed my things and left, just as Al suggested. He was right. No one believes me. Not even my best friend.
I’m outside when I run into someone. A scream works its way up my throat.
“Ellie, it’s just me. What’s wrong?”
Jafar looks around as if he’s going to murder whatever threat has made me run. A sob breaks free from my lips.
“I have to get out of here. Please.”
Grabbing my hand, he leads me to his car. It’s the same car he had last night, I realize as I slip into the passenger’s seat. As we leave, I think I see Dru watching from the window, but maybe it’s just my imagination.
“What in the hell happened back there?”
My eyes water. “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to be alone.”
His gaze sears my skin. “When’s the last time you had something to eat?”
Yesterday. “I’m not sure.”
He doesn’t answer, but I notice he also doesn’t drive toward the hotel. Instead, we go toward midtown. I’m surprised when we enter a parking garage.
“Where are we?”
“My house.”