Page 105 of Home Game

“Yep.”

She rolled her eyes. “Figures.”

“Ryan loves IKEA.”

She snorted delicately. “I hardly think so. Ryan is far too sophisticated to love something that college students and poor people like.”

I froze. Did Ryan not like how I decorated?

“That’s not true. He specifically asked me to shop at IKEA.”

“Did he really? Or does he merely indulge you?”

Bianca was asking questions that made me feel uncomfortable. I didn’t understand either why Ryan was being so kind to me. Didn’the like IKEA? The first time we went shopping, he had asked me where I would shop. Would he really let me decorate the place if he didn’t like IKEA furniture? Hadn’t he asked me to do the bathrooms and the living room after I showed him what I could do in the guest room?

I had no answers. Ryan was someone I didn’t understand. Not his kindness nor his generosity.

I felt subdued as the team left and I finished decorating the living room. I had bought a coffee table, a matching bookshelf, and a sitting chair. I accessorized with lamps, pillows, a few wall hangings, and some potted plants. In the dining room, we had bought a farm-style table, six matching chairs, a matching hutch, and another painting.

I stood back admiring my work. Combined they made up the most beautiful great room I had ever seen.

“Where did you get those earrings?” Bianca stood beside me. She was staring at my ears. Self-consciously, I touched one starfish earring.

“Nowhere.”

She stepped closer. “Are those from Tiffany?”

I moved away from her to plump the pillows. “None of your business.”

“You really have him wrapped around your finger, don’t you?”

I ignored her.

“You live here, you don’t have a job. You mooch off Ryan, spend his money, and now you have him buying you expensive gifts?”

“I don’t ask him to buy me anything.”

“No, you play the whole poor-me card and the guy folds because he feels so much pity for you. I think it’s time you take your little scam somewhere else.”

Is that what was going on? Did Ryan pity me? Is that why he helped me?

“It’s not like that.”

“I know you’re sleeping with him,” she placed one hand on a slim hip. “You were in his bedroom the other morning.”

I blinked at her, wishing she’d just leave me alone.

“You think Ryan will get serious about someone like you?”

“I don’t have to explain my friendship to you,” I tried to sound tough but my voice wavered dangerously at the end.

“He will tire of you,” she taunted, as I moved towards my bedroom. “Ryan won’t ever end up with someone like you.”

I knew that. I didn’t even let myself daydream about someone like Ryan. Perhaps it was best I left before he got sick of me.

I was gettingready for the game when I heard Bianca call my name.

“Zoey, there’s someone at the door for you.”

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