Page 46 of Jacob

“Hey. Sorry I didn’t see you today. I got back late last night,” I say, reaching up to unravel my tight space buns.

“Did I disturb you?” The amusement in her voice is evident as she points to the pink vibrator on the bed I had plans to use later while thinking about Jacob.

“Shit.” I push it off the bed and it lands with a thump on the floor.

“You get it, girlfriend, don’t be ashamed.” She plonks herself down on the edge of the mattress, making it bounce. Leaning back, she crosses her enviable legs. Kimmy wears the shortest of skirts to show them off. She is worse than me.

“Did you have a nice time in London with Mr. Grumpy Pants?” Kimmy pulls a loose thread from the hem of her skirt.

“He’s not that bad,” I snort. If truth be told, he is with everyone else, just not me.

“You said it yourself the other week.”

That was before he told me he was in love with me.

It’s no wonder he’s so ill-tempered with everyone. He’s been harboring all these frustrated emotions he has for me. For years.

She leans her other hand back against the bed, pushing her chest out. The buttons on her pale lemon shirt strain under the pressure of her large boobs. Kimmy sure does like tight-fitted clothing. Every cell of her oozes sexy confidence.

“It was fun. He took me to the theater to seeHamilton.” I feel giddy at the memory.

“Oh, really?” Her eyes narrow as if she’s thinking.

“And he booked a private tour for us at the Tate Modern. It was awesome.”

“Uh-huh.” She keeps staring at me.

I thread my hands into my now loosened hair to massage my sore scalp. My buns have been tied too tightly again today.When will I ever learn?

“What?” I stare back at her.

“Nothing. Nothing at all.” She shakes her head back and forth with her mouth downturned. She looks like she knows something.

“It was fun. London was a success. We won a number of new contracts. All in all, it was awesome. Oh, and we stayed in the penthouse. There was some sort of mix-up with the rooms.”

“I’m sure there was,” Kimmy states dryly.

“We had a hot tub.”

She goes silent. “Did something happen when you were away?”

“No,” I respond all too quickly.

“Sure?” A hawk-like expression in her eyes, she pushes me again. “Because that man has always looked at you as if he’s fucking starving and wants to devour you.”

“He does not.” My mouth goes dryer than the Sahara.

“You’re in denial.”

“And you’re deluded.” I bat away her suspicions.

She flops back on the bed and looks around my immaculate space. “Whatever,” she mumbles. “Your room is super tidy.”

“Yeah, well, you left it in a mess so I went to town cleaning my room when I got back from mom and dad’s. What the hell were you doing in here this weekend? It was like a hurricanehad been through it.” Getting ready for bed, I grab my makeup remover and begin cleaning my face.

“I haven’t been here since Thursday; I’ve been staying at Luca’s place.”

“What? When I came back last night, every one of my drawers was open and rummaged through and my photo of me, Mom and Dad was missing.” I point to the empty space on my nightstand where my picture frame used to sit then wipe the cotton wool across my skin to remove my skin cleanser.

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