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)
Alistair nodded and flashed me another big smile. “Well, maybe we could just hang out sometime?”
I hesitated. “Sure. That would be nice.”
“Great. Um, let me get your number. I’ll put it in my phone.”
As I watched him enter the information, I suddenly felt uneasy and deep down, I knew it had something to do with my growing attraction to Jake. I was pretty sure I wasn’t even Jake’s type but still couldn’t help the crush I had on him. I guess in a strange way, in agreeing to a date with Alistair, I felt disloyal to my own feelings. I was never the type that could focus on more than one guy at a time, even if the guy in focus had no clue how I felt. But I needed to move past that. I was pretty sure that it was unhealthy to think something would happen with Jake, especially after the little sexcapade I had overheard when I first moved in. Clearly, my roomie has his own “stuff” going on. That, coupled with the fact that he disappears to Boston every weekend…well, even if I was his type, which I’m not, it just wouldn’t—
Alistair interrupted my thoughts. “Hey…are you still with me?”
I didn’t realize I had zoned out. “Sorry, I was thinking about the exam.” I lied.
He handed me back my phone as we walked toward the exit. “So, what was the deal with the Full House song?”
“Ugh. My friend changed my ringtone without my knowing. It’s a running joke that I resemble the Olsen twins.”
Was Jake my friend? I guess he was.
Stop. Thinking. About. Jake.
Alistair grinned. “Really? I wouldn’t have picked up on that. I mean, they’re cute and all, but you’re much cuter.”
“Why, thank you. You would be the first person to hold that sentiment.”
“Well, it’s true,” he said. There was that thousand-watt smile of his again.
“Thanks.”
“So…I better run. I have a Psych class that starts in a few minutes next door,” he said.
“Okay. Enjoy that.”
“Bye, Nina. I’ll call you soon.”
***
That afternoon, on the walk home, I came up with a plan to butter Jake up so that he would go easy on me with the whole fear-facing punishment. Maybe I could make a deal with him where I could at least have some say in what he chooses to have me do. For example, even though riding the subway was something I avoided, it gave me nowhere near the terror that elevators did. I was sure he didn’t realize just how incapacitated I had become over the years and how hard it was going to be for me to face my fears.
Even though I hadn’t gotten my grade yet, I was certain it wasn’t an A, so I needed to put my plan into action. They say the way to get to a man is through his stomach. I knew just what I was going to make for him.
Tarah and Ryan arrived home together just as I was starting the fire on the stove.
“What are you doing, missy?” Tarah asked.
“Trying to save my ass.”
She laughed. “What are you making?”
“Did Jake say anything about our bet?”
Tarah shook her head. “No. Jake doesn’t really say anything to me about anything. Is this about the tutoring?”
“Yes. Basically, each time I don’t get an A on one of my exams, he is going to make me face one of my phobias. It’s a sick sort of punishment, really.”
Ryan laughed. “No shit? I think that’s brilliant!”
“I knew you would feel that way, Ryan.”
Tarah rubbed my back. “I am sorry, sweetie. I agree with Ryan. You can’t live like this, especially since you live in the city now. Imagine how much easier life would be if you could get past all of that shit.”
“I just don’t like to be forced into it.”
Ryan raised his voice. “No one is forcing you to do anything, and you know it, Nina. You agreed to Jake’s little bet because you know that you need to be pushed, or you’ll never change. These things only get worse the longer you let them fester.”
I knew he was right.
Ryan and Tarah left to have an early dinner downstairs at Eleni’s. About twenty minutes later, I was just about finished with my masterpiece when I heard the door open.
Jake slammed the door shut and started sniffing. “What do I smell?”
His immediate reaction to the aroma made me chuckle. “What do you think you smell?
His stride toward the kitchen area became faster with each step. “I smell heaven. What did you do? That’s not—”
I bit my bottom lip and nodded with a smile. “It is.”
“Bananas Foster? Bananas fucking Foster?”
“Yup. I made it for you, as a thank you for helping me last night.” I burst into laughter at his reaction as his eyes bugged out of his head.
Jake said nothing, just sat down, took a huge bite, dipping his head back in ecstasy and moaned.