Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 110624 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110624 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 553(@200wpm)___ 442(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“I know.”
“I never realized how protective of you Ryan was until last night. He was tossing and turning and kept saying that Jake better not hurt you or he would fuck him up. And you know, he doesn’t normally talk like that.”
“Shit. No he certainly doesn’t. Well, he is the closest thing I have to a brother, but he really shouldn’t be worried. Jake has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me. He’s helped me through so much. I’ve never felt safer with anyone in my entire life.”
“I am glad that you two finally figured it all out last night. I knew it would happen eventually.” She paused and looked down. “Nina, I have to tell you something. I…knew about Jake and Desiree.”
Silence.
“I am sorry I never said anything. It was before you, so I didn’t think it really mattered. I didn’t quite know how to bring it up. She spent the night one time, like a week before you moved here. The bitch had always thrown herself at him. I knew it was just a cheap fling, and I didn’t want you to think badly of him because I could always tell he really liked you. Plus, I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable downstairs at the restaurant since we’re always there. I was trying to protect you, but I still should have told you.”
I let out a deep breath. “It’s okay. I understand why you didn’t. I mean, how can I fault him for something that happened before he even met me?”
“I’m glad you’re not upset with me,” she said.
I was…a little.
I quickly changed the subject to rid my mind of Desiree. “Did you know Jake’s birthday was yesterday too?”
“What? You’re kidding!”
“Dead serious. And look what he got me for mine.” I stuck out my arm to show off the bracelet.
Tarah held my wrist, and her jaw dropped. “A charm bracelet. Sweet.”
“Yes, with all the things that remind him of me.”
“I knew he had it bad, but damn, girl.” She shook her head at me. “Look at you…you’re beaming.”
“I can’t help it. I’ve never felt this way. I’m in love with him, Tarah.”
She hugged me tightly then pulled back. “Make that two people who’ll fuck him up if he ever hurts you, then.”
***
Jake called me from work at 2:45 that afternoon, and I answered the phone in my best throaty voice. “Hi, handsome.”
“Nina?”
“Yes, of course it’s me, silly. I’ve been thinking abou—”
“Listen to me, okay? I have some bad news. Everything is okay, but I have to go to Boston tonight.”
“What?”
“There’s been an emergency, so I am actually flying instead of taking the train. I’m on my way to LaGuardia now.”
My heart fell to my stomach. “You’re scaring me. What kind of emergency?”
“It’s nothing to be scared about. There’s a situation that’s related to what I needed to discuss with you. We can’t have this conversation over the phone. We were supposed to talk tonight, but it’s going to have to be as soon as I get back. Please trust me. Everything is okay with us. Everything is going to be fine, and I promise to explain it to you in a couple of days. Nina…are you there?”
I was silent for a few seconds then said, “Yes.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I can later tonight.” He repeated, “I need you trust in me.”
“I do trust you…but you can’t blame me for wondering and worrying.”
“I know, baby. I know. It’s easier said than done, but please don’t worry, okay?”
“As soon as you get back, we need to have that talk. The not knowing is starting to kill me.”
“I promise,” he said amidst car horns and people shouting. “I just pulled up to the airport. I’ll call you later. I love you, Nina.”
“I love you, too.”
***
I spent the rest of the day Monday on pins and needles unable to eat or concentrate.
Ryan had asked me where Jake was that night, and I explained that there was an emergency in Boston. He spent most of the evening interrogating me about what I really knew about Jake, trying to convince me that something didn’t seem right and warning me to be careful. I tried not to let him see that he was scaring me.
Jake ended up calling me about midnight.
He sounded extremely tired. “Did I wake you?”
“No. I haven’t been able to sleep. I have been so worried.”
“I am so sorry that I couldn’t call you until now. Everything is okay. There is nothing for you to worry about. Believe me. My being here does not change anything between us. Do you hear me? Just give me a chance to explain this to you in person. It’s not something I can do over the phone. I’ll be here one more day then flying home late tomorrow night and coming straight to you.”