Holly had to get Jake out of there before her father slipped up again. “So Dad, we better get going. We are just starving.”
“It was great meeting you,” Jake said, and then Holly dragged him away.
***
After a quick late dinner, the evening finally came to a slow down. Holly had to admit that spending time with Jake was enjoyable and that he made for good company. If anything, he would become a great friend out of this whole charade. As they walked back to their cars in the parking lot of Pink’s Hot Dogs, a mischievous smile spread across Jake’s face, as if he was up to something.
“You’re acting weird. What’s up?” Holly asked.
“Just wondering when I can pick you up at your place.”
She sighed. “I already gave you the answer to that.”
“So when will she be moving out? I’m sure you won’t allow this to be a permanent thing.”
Holly couldn’t stall the inevitable if she was going to keep dating him. She’d have to find some way around it. “I’ll find out and let you know.”
“Deal,” he said with a smile like that of a child.
As Jake opened her car door, Holly said, “Okay well, good-night.”
Jake gently grabbed her hand and pulled her in close. “Darlene—” He leaned close to her face and said in a slight whisper, “I want to kiss you so bad right now.”
Before she could respond, his lips had pressed up against hers, teasing, tasting, and then teasing again. Her body went into immediate overdrive — heating, pulsing, and remembering what it felt like to be kissed like this again. Although the kiss was gentle, she could sense the passion and hunger that lay beneath it. Jake lingered over the feel of her lips, trying to memorize every sensation. This unadulterated lust left Holly mesmerized and wanting more. Unable to control her impulses, she pulled him in and kissed him back. God knew that this was not supposed to be happening.
“Good lord,” she said after finally pushing him away.
“My thoughts exactly,” Jake said, pulling her head back to his lips.
Seconds later, they were engaged in another heated lip-lock that couldn’t be broken up with a crow bar.
“Okay. I really have to go.” Holly managed to hold herself back. “I have an early day tomorrow.” She felt herself floating away, barely aware of her own consciousness. She’d never in her life had kissed someone and was left feeling this way, not even with Matthew. It was unique and had the power to make her tremble.
“Okay, but before you go—” Jake dipped his head and kissed the nape of her neck. “I’m throwing a Hawaiian Luau birthday party for my best friend, Grayson, in a couple weeks. Please come.”
The thought of going to a party and being surrounded by all his friends did sound a little daunting, but she had to do it for writing purposes.
“Okay, count me in.”
“Perfect. Good night then.” Jake backed away, looking as if he was drunk on love and didn’t want to sober up.
One thing was for sure—this game had just gotten a hell of a lot tougher.
***
Back at the office the next day, Holly tried to fight it, but she felt like she was floating away, as if she was riding on a helium balloon.
Chris came by and plopped a bunch of applications on her desk. “Holly—hello,” he said, trying to get her attention by waving his hand in front of her face.
Holly continued to gaze out the window. “Yeah?”
“Wow. Someone is distracted this morning,” Emma said from across the room.
“No. I’m perfectly fine,” Holly replied, shaking herself out of a daydream about Jake and their kiss.
Chris smiled cunningly. “You went out with him last night, didn’t you?”
“Yeah—so?”
Emma made her way over to Holly’s desk. “Did you make-out with him yet?”
Holly turned away, nearly blushing pink like the inside of a shell.
“She totally did,” Emma said in elation.
“No wonder you’re all loopy today.” Chris smirked. “It must have been good.”
Holly played it off as though it was no big deal. “It wasn’t anything special. Just a kiss.”
“Oh BS!” Chris exclaimed. “Maybe you can fool all those dudes out there, but you can’t fool us, Holly.”
“Oh my God.” Emma tried to read the dubious expression on Holly’s face. “You totally have the hots for this guy.”
“Look,” Holly slammed her hands down on the desk, “I’m just playing the part here.”
Emma and Chris broke into laughter as if she had just told them some hilarious joke.
“Yeah right,” Chris said. “Like I said, you can’t fool us. We’ve known you way too long.”
“Why can’t you just admit that you like him?” Emma asked. “It wouldn’t be the end of the world, Holly.”
Holly looked down and shook her head in dismay. “Because this was never supposed to happen. Don’t you get it?”
“I don’t understand what your problem is. You’re getting paid a million dollars to date this guy,” Emma said.
“I wasn’t supposed to develop these—these feelings.”
“Well, shit happens,” Chris said.
With her head in her hands, Holly replied, “This is going to get so out-of-control.”
“If you feel that way, go back to dating multiple guys,” Emma suggested.
“Oh, hell no,” Holly said. “That would be like winning the lottery, spending it all, and then going back to being penniless.”
Chris threw his hands in the air. “Well, then stop complaining.”
Emma glanced at Chris contemplatively. “By the way, Chris and I wanted to share some news with you.”
“Honey, maybe now is not the right time,” Chris said to Emma.
“Better now than never.”
Holly looked up to meet two hesitant expressions. “What?”
“Well—” Chris gritted his teeth as though he was being forced to listen to fingernails dragging across a blackboard. “Emma is pregnant.”
“What? Are you kidding?” Holly said, thrown.
“Nope. We found out yesterday,” Emma replied, still unable to believe the news herself. “I’m almost three-months along.”
“Congratulations, you two. This is so unexpected.” Holly shot up from her seat and embraced Emma as though she was as delicate as the moment. “Wow, a baby.” Holly looked at Chris. “So when’s the wedding?”
Chris rolled his eyes and waved her off. “Holly, let’s not get on that subject again. Come on.”
“Yeah. Just be happy for us,” Emma said, placing her hands over her belly.
“Seriously? Even with a baby on the way, Chris, you still won’t man up and do the right thing?”
“As I’ve told you a million times before, it’s just a piece of paper,” Chris declared. “A piece of paper doesn’t define your life or your love for someone.”
“No, it doesn’t, but it does say something about commitment,” Holly retorted. “Listen, I’m ecstatic that you two have a bun in the oven, don’t get me wrong. But there needs to be some kind of normalcy in your relationship now that you’re bringing somebody else into this world.”
“Thank you Dr. Phil,” Emma said, put off by Holly’s attitude.
“Whatever. I’m tired of wasting my breath. You two are going to do what you want anyway.”
“We were looking for your support—not a lecture,” Chris mentioned as he walked back to his desk.
“You know how I feel, especially when it comes to setting examples for my millionairesses.”
“This isn’t about your clients. Jesus, Holly. It’s about me and Chris.”
“I am happy for you two.” Holly sat back down in her seat. “End of subject. Now if you would excuse me, I have a lot of work to do.”
“Yeah, whatever. I need to get some fresh air.” Emma marched to the front door. “You coming, Chris?”
Holly watched Chris and Emma wa
lk out of the office, believing that this situation had just opened up a completely new set of problems for her.
Lesson 11
After a long day of dealing with difficult clients, Holly met up with Todd for an early dinner. During a brief phone conversation, Todd mentioned he had some exciting news that he was waiting to tell her.
That evening turned out to be rather perfect. Not a breath of air was stirring. The atmosphere was soft and redolent of perfume, and the sun had begun to sink behind the horizon. Holly and Todd strolled down Melrose Avenue as they headed to a Mexican restaurant.
“So what’s this totally exciting news you wanted to tell me about?” Holly asked.
Todd sighed like a man about to make a life-altering confession. “I think I’m in love.”
“What?” Holly was more than shocked to hear these words come out of his mouth. “With whom?”
“I—uh…met someone when I delivered a package from my eBay store,” Todd explained. “But never mind that. His name is Blake and he is absolutely, freaking amazing.”
“Todd… come on. How long have you even known him?”
“One month, but who’s counting. He’s perfect,” Todd said. “He’s a chef who just moved here from New York, but he’s originally from London. He’s got this sexy British accent that drives me craaazzy, and Oh my God—” Todd laid his hand on Holly’s shoulder as though he was going to faint. “He cooks for me nearly every night.”
“Wow. Well, I’m glad you’re so enthused by this guy. I just think it’s a little early for it to be love.”
“Girl, seriously, what Blake and I have going on right now is real.”
“I don’t want you to end up getting hurt again, Todd.”
“That’s why I want you to meet him,” he explained. “Then you will know exactly why I’m head-over-heels.”
“Don’t you think it’s a little soon for you to be introducing him to your friends?” Holly asked. “You don’t want to scare him away.”
“No—he’s totally cool with it. And besides, I need my best girl’s opinion before I get too serious.”
“I think you’ve surpassed that stage by professing your love for him.”
“Whatever,” Todd said, waving her off. “By the way, how’s your hot little romance going?”
Annoyed by the question, she replied, “Why even bother asking me when you know it’s all a game? There is nothing to tell.”
“From what I’ve been reading it seems pretty real to me. Man, that kiss you described was something else.”
“Okay, I’ll admit that part was nice, but I’m not taking it any further than that.” From across the way, in front of a small bookstore, Holly caught sight of someone familiar hovering over a giggling female.
“Oh no,” Todd groaned. “Here comes trouble.” He shifted Holly in the opposite direction. “Honey, just look the other way.”
“It’s okay. We are on good terms now.” She paused. “Well, sort of. I’m just going to say, hi.” Of course, the only reason why she wanted to talk to him was for the sole purpose of finding out who he was canoodling with.
“Uh, sweetie. He looks sort of pre-occupied at the moment.”
“Really, it’s okay. He won’t mind.”
Holly walked up to Matthew and lightly touched his shoulder. “Hey, Matthew. I was just passing by—” When he turned around and revealed the woman who he was fraternizing with, Holly felt as though the breath had been knocked out of her.
“Holly—hi,” Matthew said, more than surprised to bump into her.
“Madelyn?” Holly replied in horror.
“Surprise,” Madelyn said with a devious smile.
“Now you’re playing kissey face with my ex-roommate, Matthew?”
Matthew tried to ignore it, but he couldn’t help but sense some hostility between the two women. “It was the strangest thing. I bumped into Madelyn at a banking conference about a week ago.”
“Banking?” Holly guffawed. “Madelyn can’t even count to ten without someone helping her.”
“You know what?” Madelyn stepped up in front of Holly. Her smile was fake and she spoke with a pretend friendliness. “You have such a pretty nose. I’d hate to break it.”
“Okay—time to go, Holly.” Todd pulled Holly away by her arm, but she refused to budge. Todd knew that the scene before him was a train wreck waiting to happen.
“Look, this may be hard for you to accept, but Madelyn and I clicked. We have a lot in common.”
“What? I don’t get it. Somehow you go from high-quality to low-class over night?” Holly asked.
“Uh-oh—is someone jealous?” Madelyn made a frown face. “Poor baby.”
“She has time for me, Holly,” Matthew explained. “And look at her—she’s gorgeous. Maybe the closest thing to Kim Kardashian that I’ll ever get. How could I resist?”
“Oh—” Holly chuckled as though this whole situation was some inadvertent joke. “I hope you enjoy your new instant family because you’re in for one hell of a ride, buddy.”
“Holly, just go on your fake dates and leave us alone,” Madelyn spat. She then entwined her fingers with Matthew’s hand and said, “Let’s go, baby.”
Holly watched the two of them walk down the sidewalk hand in hand, like the perfect couple out on an evening stroll. So this was the revenge Madelyn had in mind. Holly couldn’t let it get to her. Matthew wasn’t her property anymore and she had no say in whom he dated.
“Hey, Madelyn,” Holly called out.
At the sound of her voice, Madelyn and Matthew both turned around.
“Enjoy your sloppy seconds,” Holly said with a wink.
“Wow,” Todd said, blown away by what had just gone down. “You’re so bad.”
“I’m bad? Can you believe the shit she just pulled?”
“I don’t know why you keep letting that douche bag get to you. It’s over.”
“Don’t tell me that seeing your psycho ex-roommate all over your ex-boyfriend wouldn’t make your blood boil.”
Todd gently put his hand on her shoulder and turned her so that he could see her face. “Sweetie, just let it go, okay? You have more important things to focus on—like that million dollars.
***
July 10, 2013
The night of the birthday party, Holly pulled up to Jake’s house expecting him to live in some run of the mill, middle-class dwelling with the way he spoke of his financial situation. It was hard to believe that she arrived at a beach house, which had the ocean as its own backyard. This place was magnificent, like a castle by the sea, and everything about it was unmistakably masculine. He even made the evening authentic with burning tiki lamps that bordered the pathway to the front door.
Holly had come dressed in Hawaiian attire as was requested: A tropical print dress and with a flower pinned in her hair. In lieu of a gift, she had made her mother’s famous upside down pineapple cake.
Holly stepped out of her car and took a deep breath. She needed to ready herself and forget about their last kiss. The purpose of this evening was to take mental notes, so that she could report it on her blog the next day.
A drunken female greeted Holly at the front door. The house was packed with scores of men and women around her age who were standing around chatting and laughing. Many guests sipped on tropical drinks adorned with hunks of fresh fruit or little paper umbrellas. The party had spilled onto the patio where more tiki lamps were burning.
With abated breath, Holly stepped inside and took notice of the interior. The entire house was tastefully decked out in tropical décor. The menu that night consisted of fresh fruit, mahi-mahi, Korean marinated beef, and other island appetizer delicacies. Holly couldn’t help but wonder why Jake had made himself out to be poor. By the look of things, he was far from it.
Holly cut through the crowd and spotted Jake by the patio doors with a swarm of people surrounding him. He had one hand thrust in his jean pocket while the other tightly clenched onto a beer bottle. Jake appeare
d somewhat cute in his Hawaiian shirt with the collar intentionally flipped up around his neck. She liked this look much better than his typical country boy attire.
“Jake—” Holly said, making her way over to him.
“Hey, Darlene.” Jake’s heart leapt at the sight of her. He greeted her with a soft kiss on the cheek, a total 180 from the last time they had been together. “You made it.”
“Parking was a nightmare, but yeah, I’m here.” Holly became strangely nervous when she became aware of his friends staring at her as if she had to pass some test—a test that she wasn’t sure she would be able to pass. “Nice place you’ve got here.”
“Thank you. Oh, let me get that.” He took the cake from her hands and handed it to a female with bright orange hair.
Someone got Holly a cup with something that smelled fruity and fermented. She accepted it and took a sip. Sex on the Beach. Jake then escorted Holly around the house and introduced her to nearly every person at the party. Holly conducted herself demurely, murmuring, hello and nice to meet you as she held onto Jake’s hand and let him exhibit her proudly. Usually a new and lovely face was always a matter of speculation in Jake McClusky’s social circle.
“Darlene, I’d like you to meet my best friend, Grayson, also known as the birthday boy.”
Grayson was undeniably gorgeous. He was over six-foot, had wavy dark-brown hair, a goatee, and a muscular body blessed by the Gods. He oozed testosterone, as though the smell of him could get a woman pregnant. Grayson was dressed conventionally in khakis, and a button-down Hawaiian shirt. A multicolored plastic lei hung around his neck like a noose. Everything about him screamed, player. Never mind the three women who clung to him like wisps of perfume.
Grayson stuck out his hand and with a suspicious look said, “Nice to meet you.” His pale blue eyes stared right through her.
“You as well.” Something about the way he looked at her didn't seem quite right. Holly couldn’t help but feel that maybe he recognized her from somewhere. One way to turn this evening into a total disaster would be for him to mention the blog.
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