Chapter 8

Jenna

Two Days Later

I'd emptied my closet out by the time Grace showed up at my doorstep. The small apartment I lived in down in the center of the city was one of the many buildings owned by my family. Where they didn't pay for my rent, I wasn't charged a penny for taking up a tiny space on the third floor either. It was a good way to let them feel like they were doing something and yet I didn't have to feel like I was getting a handout.

The knock at my front door had to be Grace. Soft rapping that didn't stop until I jerked the door open.

"You know I hate it when you do that." I gave her a warning look.

"Yep, but you knew it was me, didn't you. That's all that matters. New York is dangerous, especially the city." She walked in and pulled off her thin navy cardigan. The thick wool sweater she had on underneath left her looking bulky, swollen and as unattractive as I'd ever seen her. She was the only person I knew who wore multiple layers, and none of them matched.

"What the fuck is that?" I pressed my fingers to my lips as I used my free hand to close and lock the door.

"What? This?" She twirled around in circles, her dark hair flying behind her.

"The only thing you're allowed to wear from that outfit is the tights you have on, and even those might have to go." I squinted and moved in for a closer inspection. "Grace Adams. Dear baby Jesus, please tell me that those aren't cats on your tights."

"Yeah. They're cute, right?"

"You're twenty-one. Cute is not the look you're going for." I stopped in front of her and put my hands on my hips. "Take it off. All of it."

"What? No. It's good. I saw someone on a London catwalk wearing this last week." Her shoulders rolled in as she let out a sad sounding sigh.

"Off. Now."

"Can I at least keep the shoes? I love flats."

"No. You can wear those dark brown boots of mine that you love. You're not wearing those flats. They have little bows on them. What are you, twelve again?"

"You're such a hater." She pulled her sweater over her head and tossed it on my couch before kicking her shoes at me.

I glanced over toward the couch and laughed. "Someone is going to think we skinned a cat. God that thing is so ugly. How much did you pay for it?"

"Don't ask." She pulled her tights off and walked toward my room, her little black g-string tucked into the perfect curve of her ass.

"Tell me and make me feel better." I walked behind her as I reached up to pull my long hair into a high ponytail. I needed to go for playful more than sexy for the night. With both Thomas being there for sure, and Nate possibly showing up, I didn't need to look anything near sexy, even though it was a hard look for me to pull off in the first place.

"Why would me telling you that I got it at Ross for ten dollars make you feel better?" She turned to face me, her expression still tight with angst. Her breasts rose high above the black lace bra she wore, and her tanned skin stretched across her perfect curves, leaving me to feel frumpy, fat, ugly.

"Because. I have to stand next to you all night." I walked past her and bumped her shoulder softly. "You're lucky I didn't just leave you in your mauled kitten costume. It would have made me look better."

"You're stupid." She moved into the closet beside me. "You're the hottest girl in the whole damn city and the richest."

"No telling anyone that." I pulled down a tight black dress. "Here. Wear this."

"You sure? This is one of your favorites." She leaned over to work it over her hips and I walked back to the bathroom.

"Yeah, you'll look great in it." I leaned over my bathroom counter and grabbed a tube of dark pink lipstick. "So I think Nate is going to be there tonight."

"The hot guy from the coffee shop?"

"Yep." I pursed my lips and moved back. "And if he is... I'm going home with him. We should take separate cars."

"And what if I plan on going home with Erik? Isn't that his name? The bad boy from the library the other day?"

"Erik Bertinelli isn't going to be at Kadia." I snorted and gave her an approving look. "Hot. Two thumbs up."

"Thanks." She grabbed my lipstick and scowled at it before finding something darker, smokier. "And why wouldn't he be at Kadia?"

"Because it's filled with college kids and hookers, Grace. He's a hitman. Why would he be interested in any of those people?"

"Here's for hoping." She bumped her hip against mine and we shared a laugh. If nothing else, it would feel good to hang out with her for the night. It had been a long time since we got to let our hair down and have fun.

"Thomas has us covered if we get a little toasted?"

"Yep. Just stick close to me."

"Why is that?" I glanced her way.

"Because you get horny when you get drunk. The last thing we need is for you to fuck my brother again."

I shrugged. "It was three years ago, Grace, and it was an accident. Big deal."

"Agreed, but he's been in love with you since. You're going to have to show me some of your moves."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear any of that." I turned and walked out of the bathroom as a smile spread across my face. I'd been with a few men in my time, but none of them were what I would consider a good lay. Hell, I wasn't even sure what that would look like.

If I had to guess... it would look a lot like Nate.