by Erica Penrod
The door swung open. “Good, you’re here.” Jovi’s head peeked around the door. “You’re going to die when you see my surprise.”
Hey, maybe she had gotten me a boyfriend in a box. I kept my fingers crossed just in case.
“Come in.” Her eyes were bright, and I hadn’t seen her smile that wide since Nile kissed her goodbye in the hallway earlier today. “Here he is.” She stepped out from behind the door and thrust out her arms, and in her hands was the most adorable puppy I’d ever seen. “Isn’t he scrumptious?”
I flung my purse on to the bed and reached out for the little ball of fur with bat ears. “He’s a French bulldog?” I asked, cradling the puppy against my chest. He smelled like baby powder, which I hadn’t expected. That was another thing about rich people I hadn’t known, that even their dogs smelled delightful. His little warm body felt like heaven against mine. “What’s his name?”
“Meat Loaf.” She closed the door and walked over to the bed.
I raised a brow and gave her a slanted look.
Jovi laughed. “Dad wanted to name him after the singer, and it’s one of Crue’s favorite meals, so I gave in.” She reached out and stroked the puppy’s head. “I wanted to name him Armani, but I was outvoted.”
The puppy squirmed, and I ran my fingers over his chubby tummy. “Meat Loaf probably fits him better.”
“I don’t care what his name is. I’ve wanted a dog forever, and my parents finally gave in.”
“He is the cutest.” Meat Loaf lifted his head and licked my chin.
“I know, right?” Jovi’s phone buzzed on the dresser. She picked up the device. “Oh, it’s the producer.” Jovi glanced at me. “Would you mind taking Meat Loaf out back to potty, and I’ll meet you out there in just a couple minutes?”
“Sure.” I gathered the pup closer to make sure he wasn’t going anywhere. “See you in a sec.”
Jovi grinned as she hit the button on the screen and said hello.
Carefully, with precious cargo in tow, I moved down the staircase and into the great room, where French doors led out into the backyard. The room was empty, and so was the adjacent kitchen. Smith must’ve been in his quarters, and I had no idea where the rest of the Zeplin clan was, which meant one more win for me.
I stepped out onto the terrace and walked down a waterfall of stairs to the first patch of lawn I came to. Meat Loaf squirmed as I gently let him down. A moment of panic hit me when I realized billionaires might not want their puppies to potty just anywhere, but Meat Loaf couldn’t wait. He did his business and then toddled around on his short, stumpy legs. I could’ve have watched him for hours. I bent down and scratched between his ears once more.
“Hey, Em.”
My heart shook in my chest, and warning sirens went off in my mind. I’d been distracted by delectable cuteness on four legs and let down my guard. I let my gaze slowly wander towards the figure towering over me. “Hi.” I stood up and smiled.
Without experience to tell me otherwise, I expected getting over him would be easier. If only I could hate him, but no. I was too busy drooling over him. Crue was in a cobalt-blue Henley and boot-cut jeans with boots. A ball cap covered most of his hair, but the longer pieces curled around his ears and played along his neckline. He held on to a rolled set of papers.
“I see you’ve met Meat Loaf.” Crue moved in closer, and I took a step back. His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say anything. “This little guy might actually be more spoiled than Jovi.” He laughed as he tucked the paper in his back pocket, reached down, and picked up the pup.
I chuckled. “I think you both have your fair share.” Okay, so here was the real test: the adorable guy I was trying to get over holding an adorable puppy. The universe must’ve been conspiring against me.
“I can’t argue.” Crue held the pup up and studied the little dog’s face. “I’ve just been looking over things for the new barn and arena going in on the south end of the property.”
That explained the papers. “That’s so cool.” I was genuinely happy for him. Crue often talked about joining the polo team.
“Once it’s done, I can keep my horse here and ride more often.” He rubbed behind Meat Loaf’s ears. Crue had bought a horse that he stalled somewhere else, and he had been practicing with Nile as much as possible. His dimples sank into his cheeks, trying to take my determination with them.
I dug in my heels. I wouldn’t forget that my end goal was to be Crue free, even as I stepped up and reached out to pet the pup. My hand brushed his, sending a wave of heat throughout my body, and I snatched it away.
Crue’s eyes locked on mine. I was so scared I’d give in to my aching heart that I couldn’t swallow.
Thankfully, my phone vibrated in my pocket, breaking the spell I was under. Hurriedly, I pulled the phone out, if only for anything else to stare at. It took a moment for my mind to register a new Snapchat—from Max! My fingers shook as I drew in a breath. I was so grateful for the excuse to step away from Crue. Maybe the universe was trying to tell me something after all.
Chapter Eleven
Walking and texting was a bad combination for me. I usually avoided the dangerous activity, but Max and I had texted back and forth last night for a couple hours, and he’d texted me on my way to school Wednesday morning.
I bumped into someone. “Whoa, watch where you’re going.” Luckily, it was Jovi. “What’s going on?” She glanced down at my phone. “You’re distracted, and before you ran into me, I noticed there was a little extra spring in your step.”
“Why didn’t you get my attention before we collided?” My eyes darted from Jovi and back to the screen.
Her laugh brought my gaze back up to her. “Because I was enjoying the moment. Are you still talking to Max?”
“Yeah.” I nodded.
“Ask him to come sit with us at lunch.”
“No.” I furrowed my brow. “We just started talking.”
Jovi scowled. “You’ve already been on date with him.” She snatched my phone, and her fingers moved at lightning speed. “There, done.”
“You didn’t.” A ball of nerves rolled through my belly. “What if he thinks I’m being too forward?”
“Trust me.” Jovi handed me back the phone. “I’ve seen the way the guy looks at you, and he’ll be thrilled.”
The phone vibrated, and I read the reply. “He said yes.” Wings sprouted and the nerves took flight, leaving me with bubbles of excitement.
“Of course he did,” Jovi said matter-of-factly.
We wandered down the hall, but my mind was a couple hours ahead of me, wondering what would happen at lunch. “Thanks.” I clutched the phone in my hand and crossed my arms. “I don’t know if I would’ve dared ask him.”
“You’re welcome, and yes, you would have.” Jovi turned towards the hallway. “Lunch just might’ve been over by the time you did.” She grinned at me with her perfectly pink glossed lips. “And I never would’ve asked him if I didn’t know you wanted him to come.”
Jovi waved bye and disappeared into the crowd. I paused, trying to remember which class I had and which way I was going as gratitude tugged on my heart. A friend like Jovi was exactly what I needed. Too bad she came with a brother. Thankfully, he wouldn’t be sitting with us at lunch.
Conversation hummed in the air, and the screeching sounds of sliding chairs and shuffling trays weren’t unlike any other of the countless days I’d eaten lunch at the RLA cafeteria. But today was different because of the cute guy seated to my left and Jovi seated to the right, with Nile on the other side. We were laughing and talking to Tia Radcliffe and her friends, who sat across from us on the other half of the table.
I was very aware of Max, his arm inches away from mine, and the fact that I was surrounded by people I really liked. Happiness, marbled with a swirl of nerves, filled my body and didn’t leave me with much of an appetite. My chef salad was loaded with vegetables and thick ranch dressing, but I spent most of the lunch hour pushing lettuce around
with my fork. I’d been trying to work up the courage to ask Max if he wanted to hang out on Friday night.
“Do you have any plans for the weekend?” I glanced at Max, then quickly looked down at my plate and speared a cherry tomato with my fork.
“Um …” He cleared his throat. “Nothing other than a book report.”
Hmmm. Sounded a lot like my weekends until I’d met Jovi. “Jovi is having a few friends over to her house for a bonfire on Friday night.” I set my fork down, tucked a strand of hair back behind my ear, and looked over at him. “Would you want to come with me?”
Small specks of sunlight, breaking through the skylight in the ceiling, got caught in the island-blue reservoir of his eyes. A girl might find herself stranded if she stared too long. “Yes.” Max’s voice caught, and he cleared his throat as his face went red. “I mean, yeah, sure.”
“Cool.” A surge of something I couldn’t explain rippled through me. Max’s heated complexion and his unsteady tone were a boost to my confidence.
If I’d ever made a guy choke on his words or turned his cheeks the color of a clown’s nose, I couldn’t recall. There’d been a few times I’d wondered about the effect I had on Crue, but the point was that I was always wondering. I never could be sure his reaction was because of me and not because of a change in the weather or a virus nabbing him in the night, leaving him with a sore throat. Max’s illuminated eyes didn’t leave me doubting a thing; he was thrilled I’d asked him. Chalk up another bonus point for Jovi. What could I say? Nothing other than that when the girl was right, she was right.
“Hey.” A voice like a dart pierced my little bubble of happiness.
I blinked and swallowed as I gripped the fork in my hands.
“What’s up?” Jovi turned her head and looked back over her shoulder.
Tia smiled at me as I met her gaze. I had to look anywhere other than back at the guy who kept interfering with my breathing and such. I wasn’t about to turn around and let Crue ruin my moment with Max. His voice was enough to fray the edge of my resolve, which I could survive, but if I caught a glimpse of Crue and his dimples right then, I was afraid I might come undone and be sucked back into the “what if” world one more time.
“Heard you were having some friends over this weekend.” Crue’s voice hovered over me. I stole a glance at Max, who regarded Crue with a reserved stare.
“Yeah.” Jovi leaned back in her chair. The situation probably seemed peculiar to an onlooker, since I was the only one at the table not gawking up at Crue. Even Tia had her gaze set on him. He was like the North Star in a sky of twinkling lights.
“I invited a few friends too.” Crue had to be standing directly behind me, because his scent mingled in the air around me.
“I’ll need to approve your guest list.” Jovi sounded serious, but she smiled, and everyone laughed. Joking aside, I appreciated Jovi’s subtle hint, although I was sure Chloe would be hanging on Crue’s arm all night.
“My assistant will have it to you by five.” Crue dished the humor right back. “Talk to you later.” I didn’t need to see the moment he left, because his distance loosened the bands around my lungs, and I exhaled.
“You okay?” Max tilted his head and inspected my face. “You seemed a little tense.”
“Oh.” Heat filled my face as my brain frantically searched for an excuse. “I’m fine. I was just thinking about a test I’ve got coming up.” Talk about lame excuses, but it was the best I could come up with.
Max nodded. “Anything I can help with?” His tender voice and warm eyes soothed my uneasiness at my awkward answer.
I shook my head. “Nope, I’m good.” A smile dashed across my lips. “I’ll just look over my notes before then, but thanks.”
Max really was a good guy, and I hoped by Friday night I’d feel more than the heat of the fire’s flames when I hung out with him. If not, I’d have to figure out how to spark some of my own, because I wasn’t going to keep smoldering over Crue. It was time to clear the smoke from my eyes.
Chapter Twelve
Billionaires did everything bigger and better than us normal folks—and by normal, I mean people like me who never made an impulse purchase online because I’d rather eat than wear a new sweater. You’d think I’d be used to the extravagant lifestyle after hanging out with the Zeplins and Nile Silcox. Nile’s uncle owned a private island about forty minutes from Seattle by helicopter, and we’d taken a day trip to it about a month ago, but I was still impressed by the catered buffet table. The gorgeous spread lined the back deck, and when you loaded your plate, you had a splendid view overlooking the lake. The supremely comfortable extra outdoor seating purchased just for the occasion waited for your arrival. Edison lights were strung around the deck, and flames crackled in the black iron fire pit. A DJ bobbed his head as he spun the records from his setup on the smaller adjacent deck. Music wafted in the air from the speakers mounted on tall stands, and most people swayed to the beat. Kids clustered in various groups, some lounging on the L-shaped sofa and others headed out towards the lakefront. Judging by the crowd, I didn’t think Jovi had to worry about fitting in at RLA anymore.
“Want a drink?” I asked Max, who stood beside me with his hands stuffed into his front pockets.
“Yeah, let’s grab one.” He sounded relieved to have something to do.
I smiled, because I hadn’t asked Max which tax bracket his family belonged to, but the way he gaped around at the Zeplin house and grounds, I figured he was a little overwhelmed. He might’ve been a scholarship kid like I was, which I should’ve known since I went to a school dance with him, but since I’d been preoccupied by my feelings for Crue, I hadn’t asked. I must’ve been a lousy date. “It’s over there.” I gestured towards the table jutting off from the bounteous spread of food.
Max took my hand and led me towards the red cups. I considered our clasped hands, and although there wasn’t a zing, the feeling was comfortable and reassuring. A little smile tugged on the corners of my mouth as we weaved our way towards the drinks. I could’ve gotten things all mixed up when it came to guys, because the hot, toe-tingling, heart-racing, can’t-see-which-way-is-up feelings Crue gave me only left me hurting in the end. Max made me feel wanted and safe, which I could get used to. Maybe there wasn’t the high, but maybe that meant there wasn’t the spiraling hit-the-ground-headfirst low.
We stopped in front of the table. “What would you like?” Max looked left to right and back again at every flavor of soda you could imagine, plus hot chocolate and apple cider. The nip in the air got snippier as the night sky darkened. Something warm to drink would come in handy.
“Hot chocolate.” I smiled as Max let go of my hand and reached for two cups of the steaming liquid. I was glad I’d opted to wear my contacts tonight and didn’t have to worry about whether my glasses would fog up as I sipped on my drink in the cool autumn air.
“I said I wanted diet.” Chloe’s voice raked over my skin, leaving me on edge. I turned to see Crue apologize as he took one cup and exchanged it for another. “Why is that so hard?” Chloe glared at him over the rim.
Crue glanced away, and our eyes met. I quickly averted my gaze to the cup in my own hand, but not before I noticed the sadness shadowing his features. I could not understand what the guy was doing. Jovi was right: my feelings for Crue had nothing to do with the reason he shouldn’t be with a girl like that. He was visibly miserable, and I didn’t wish that on anyone. Okay, possibly Chloe, because I wasn’t perfect, but not Crue, even if he’d broken my heart repeatedly by omission or otherwise.
Max reached out and took my hand again, pulling me from the haze. I immediately looked up to see Crue watching me. His gaze dropped down to my hand entwined with Max’s. The muscle tensed in his jaw as his mouth set in a hard line.
Frustration, which I grabbed hold of before it morphed into anger, filled my bloodstream. Crue couldn’t get upset about me and Max, not when he’d clearly chosen Chloe. I wasn’t going to waste my time wonderin
g about why Crue cared who I was with. There was a guy, holding my hand, who wanted to hang out with me, and he deserved my undivided attention.
“Hey.” Max greeted Crue as we walked by.
I gave Crue a slight smile and didn’t even give Chloe a passing glance.
Max led me down the stairs and out onto the sand. We found a couple chairs on the outskirts of the crowd and took a seat. “Thanks for inviting me.” Max smiled before he blew into his cup of hot cocoa.
“I’m glad you came,” I said, which was the truth, even if part of the reason was because of Crue. Max gave me something to think about. “I know I should’ve asked you before, but tell me about your family.” I took a sip of cocoa and wished I hadn’t seen Crue and Chloe from the corner of my eye. She was barking at him, probably over some other trivial thing like the fact that her drink didn’t have the right number of ice cubes.
“Emery?” Max leaned over towards me.
“Oh yeah.” I slid back in the chair and turned to Max. “Sorry.” I smiled at him. “Now what were you saying?”
He gave me a soft smile, and a knowing look came in his eyes. “You asked about my family.”
“Oh yeah.” I shoved the thoughts of Crue and Chloe aside with all my might. “You’re from Oregon?”
Max nodded. “Yeah. I’m the oldest of three. I’ve got two younger sisters.”
“Cool.” I adjusted myself and turned to him. “I always wished I had siblings.”
“And I always wished for a brother, but my sisters are alright, I guess.”
“So how did you end up at RLA?” I couldn’t believe I hadn’t asked him any of this on our first date.
“I came on scholarship.” He grinned. “Just like you.”
“Us scholarship kids have to stick together,” I laughed.
“No kidding.” Max chuckled. “I had no idea people really lived like this.”
“I know.” I leaned back in the chair and felt the tension of witnessing Chloe’s tyrannical hold over Crue fall away. “But I think down deep, most of them are just like us.”