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Chapter 25
It was early afternoon when I finally managed to drag myself out of Jett s steamy bed to text
Sylvie I d be back home in an hour, in case she had forgotten. Because my car was still parked at the
airport, costing me a fortune, Jett offered to drive me. Since I wasn t keen on Jett s speeding through
New York s streets, I declined in favor of the subway, which didn t bode well with him. In the end
we decided to call a company car that would drive me home. I left my car keys with him because he
insisted on getting someone to pick it up for me, and I even let him carry my luggage downstairs from
his apartment while his driver was waiting.
 You ll text? Shivering in the damp chill of a rainy afternoon, I bit my lip nervously. Playing
the clingy girlfriend wasn t like me, and yet I couldn t help it. This was different. We were different.
Jett touched my nose with the tip of his finger, his eyes shining with wry amusement.  Will it
freak you out if I do so while you re still in the car?
A warm, fuzzy explosion settled deep in my chest.  I d love that. He placed a gentle yet
lingering kiss on my lips, and then held the door open for me.
After spending two weeks together, it felt surreal to drive away from him. Jett was where I
belonged. To my surprise, the sudden realization didn t weigh me down; it made my heart beat faster,
and soft flutters like those of hundreds of butterfly wings gathered somewhere in the pit of my
stomach.
It was the first time I d ever ridden in a limo, and Jett s driver made the journey even more
memorable by pointing to a tiny refrigerator with snacks and champagne, which I politely declined. I
wasn t there to eat; I wanted to enjoy the view. And there was plenty to see.
Sitting in the back seat of the plush limousine, I stared out the tinted windows at buzzing New
York. The city was coming to life, and in some way I felt I was too. We had defined the relationship,
and today was our first day as a couple. I was dating a hot, successful guy who was very much into
me. For the first time in my life, I felt I wasn t as plain as I always thought. We had decided to keep
our relationship a secret for a few more days, until I settled into my job. We didn t want people
thinking I got the job because I was sleeping with the boss. Theoretically I was, but it hadn t been my
intention to sleep my way up the career ladder. I had sex with Jett because I was attracted to him. Jett
hired me because he wanted me. It was lust at first sight.
We had cancelled our contract after our midday romp, and I was finally free to reveal our
status to Sylvie. In fact, Jett insisted on it, not telling me why. In my logic, it was a sign he wanted to
enter my circle of friends and be introduced as my boyfriend. And I couldn t wait for the whole world
to know we were together.
I arrived at our apartment shortly after three p.m. and opened the door with apprehension,
unsure what to expect. My best friend could be one of two things: so elated to see me that she d forget
I sort of hid the truth from her, or pissed because I kept a secret for two weeks. As I opened the door,
I certainly didn t expect to see the whole neighborhood gathered in our living room, shouting
 Surprise at the top of their lungs. How the hell did Sylvie manage to gather the whole clique,
including people I didn t even know, in such a short time? She must have planned it for days. And
that s when it dawned on me that Sylvie could be a third thing: in party mode.
 Thanks, guys. I put my suitcase down near the door and let a few of my friends envelop me
in tight hugs, welcoming their congratulations on the new job. My gaze wandered across the room,
sweeping over smiling, already intoxicated faces, and red drinking cups that littered our small living
room. My attention fell on Sylvie who was squeezing her way toward me, her emotions clearly
visible in her pouting lips and narrowed eyes.
She was mad but also curious. Our phone conversation hadn t been forgotten. Knowing her
focus on being liked by everybody, I knew she wouldn t go for drama with so many people around.
But there d be plenty of hissed reproaches and venomous looks.
Taking a deep breath, I smiled.
I could deal with that. A crouching tigress was better than a pouncing one.
 Hey, you, I said, grabbing her in a tight hug.  I missed you like crazy.
 Stewart, you re so screwed. Her blue eyes twinkled, but her pout remained in place.
I made a point of unbuttoning my jacket in slow motion as I regarded her from under my
lashes, teasing her with a wicked smile.  From that I gather you don t want to hear the dirty?
 You re killing me.
Laughing at her exaggerated eye roll, I grabbed a cup and took a sip of what tasted like Sylvie
decided to empty an entire mini bar in there, and pulled her into a relatively quiet corner.
 Your plane landed yesterday. Where the heck have you been? Her eyes spat fire.  Do you
realize I had to keep this party up all night and day? You owe me a fortune for the booze.
 I slept with him and now we re together, I blurted out, unable to contain the excitement in
my voice.
For some reason I expected her to ask who I was talking about, but Sylvie just inclined her
head and kept silent for a few moments, the glint in her eyes not quite mirroring the excitement I felt.
 At least he called, was all she said.
 What? I said slowly, shaking my head in confusion.  At least who called? What was she
talking about?
Waving her hand, she exhaled a long breath.  I told him I d come after him with a pitchfork if
he didn t.
 Who? I crossed my arms over my chest, my gaze scanning her cryptic expression. I really
had no idea what she was talking about.
 Who do you I think? She rolled her eyes.  Jett, of course.
 You know his name? Why did she know his name?
 Of course I do.
 How? It was a stupid question. Her raised eyebrow said it all. They had exchanged [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]