Page 80 of Unofficial

"Worse than what he did to you?"

Letting out a deep breath, she nods her head to no one. "Yes."

"Wow."

"There's also stuff with his parents I can't get into, but knowing what made him act the way he did and how he thought, I can forgive him. And it makes me kind of sad because he had to be so lonely. Even with all the women in his bed, he may not have been alone, but he was lonely."

"Jess, I don't want to sound cynical, but do you think he said that to the other women he's been seeing, too?"

"There was only you and me. And before you say anything, I talked to Tim at the bar. He confirmed this."

Lena laughs. "You trust a bartender?"

"Yeah, I do. He helped me avoid Kade for as long as possible when I was there for a work function I couldn't get out of. And Kade told me how Tim told him he was an idiot for what he did. Kind of felt slighted the bartender liked me more than him," Jess says with a laugh.

"Wow."

"He also said Kade never took a woman home after he and I met up to talk the night after... you know. I can't say he didn't in general aside from him telling me he hasn't, but Kade's never lied to me before. He's skirted around the truth or omitted information, but he's never flat out lied."

Another pause, and Jess worries Lena thinks she's an idiot. Will she be angry? Tell her she's an idiot and never wants to speak to her again? It's strange how Jess never really wanted this friendship, but now that she has it, she doesn't want to lose Lena.

"You've slept with him, haven't you?"

"Not since the night before he slept with you," Jess says. "I wanted to. God, I threw myself at him, but he refused. He stopped it from going further, even though it was obvious he didn't want to stop it."

"I'll give you that one. It seems impossible for a man to turn down a woman throwing herself at him."

Jess stares at the TV's black screen. "He also gave me his location and doorbell camera login information to check up on him whenever I feel the need."

"He did what?" Lena gasps. "Did you ask him?"

"No, he offered. I really do think he's changed."

"What are you calling me for, Jess? Are you asking for my blessing?"

Is she? "I guess, kind of. I value our friendship, and I don't want you to ever think I'm doing anything to spite you or to hurt you."

"If you're looking for my blessing, you won't get it. Not after what he did to you. I don't really care what he did to me because he didn’t owe me shit. Although, I'm still pissed about the cousin thing."

This is it. Their friendship is over. "I understand."

"You also don't need my blessing, Jess. If it wasn't for him being an asshat, I wouldn't have you as a friend. But as your friend, I reserve the right to give you a big, fat 'I told you so' if he breaks your heart again. And don't think for a second that I won't."

"I'd have earned that," Jess says and smiles, relief washing over her. "Thank you, Lena."

"I hope things go well for you, though. And I hope he can give you what you want. All I want is for you to be happy, and that makes me happy. Besides, if what happened with Kade hadn't gone the way it did, I wouldn't have my Joey right now."

"Brunch on Sunday? The usual spot?"

Lena must have jumped on her end because Jess can hear the jingle of her earrings hitting the phone. "Yes, please!"

"See you Sunday."

Hanging up, Jess stares at her phone. This made her decision even that much more definitive. She wants to let Kade back in. All the way, and give herself the chance at the happy ending she wanted from the beginning with him. The risk is worth it, and she wants to forget the past. Well, most of the past. She still can't step foot in his condo.

Kade shared his location with her, but she's never checked it. Same with the doorbell camera. While she can't go back because of the memories in his kitchen, she has no desire to check up on him. If she's going to do this, she needs to be all in. She's taking a leap of faith, and she decides she needs to trust him.

Hurrying upstairs, she feels her stomach jump as she pulls out the sexy lingerie she knows drives him wild. The same ones she wears under the sexy black dress he said he can't have her wear until after his probationary period because he can't stop himself. Even though she'd think he'd have an aversion to anything black and lacy, it's his absolute favorite. It also helps there's little to the imagination, and with the upgraded panties she ordered two weeks ago, it doesn't even have to come off.

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