Page 70 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

Marlow’s head jerks back. “I wouldn’t go that far. We have a lot in common.”

Tealey crosses her arms over her chest, and I’m praying she doesn’t take the bait. This will only end badly for all of us. She asks, “Like what?”

Marlow needs to read the room and her best friend’s temperament.Nothing good, Marlow. Walk out now, I will with my mind.

Never willing to take anyone’s advice, she replies, “We both come from money and well-known families. There are differences that only we understand.”

“As opposed to the average suburban family, like mine?”

Oh, fuck. Do I let this go on?

“Well, yeah. Like?—”

“I don’t want to hear anymore tonight.” Tealey holds her hands up in front of her, putting an end to this torture . . .for both of us. “I was tired before, but now I have a headache.”

Is that for Marlow or me?

“Okay, well, good night, Teals.”

“Night.” The door is shut, but I don’t see or hear any movement. When the lock catches, Tealey says, “You can come out now.”

I’m careful, each step tentative as I walk into the bedroom. I’m not greeted with a smile, and there’s no relief found in her expression. Her arms are crossed, and she asks, “You’re dating Marlow?”

That I’m having to address this at all as if I’ve done something wrong, I reply, “I’m not dating Marlow. Not officially.” I reach for her, but she takes a step back. “Not like how I want to date you.”

Her eyes go wide, her head thrown back from a scoff. “Me? We’re not even dating, and now you’re telling me you’re with her, but you want to be with me?”

Tangled webs are really not my thing. Ever.

Most of all, I don’t want to lose Tealey because of this absurd charade.

“Will you listen to me with an open mind?”

“It will be a struggle, but I’ll try.”

She moves to sit at the head of the bed and crosses her legs. She appears calm, willing to hear me out. Calm is good. Listening is great.

Keeping my voice down, I say, “I went along with his assumption to ease tension between her and her dad. I guess he assumed we were together because none of you were there, like usual.” I shrug. “It’s weird that he’d think that because nothing was going on and still isn’t.” Distracted by those sexy lips of hers, my thoughts muddle.

“Rad?”Two snaps.

“Huh?”

“You were saying that nothing is going on and . . .?”

I rack my brain as to what we were talking about, and the words miraculously reappear. “I’m dating Marlow so she gets the apartment and I make partner at the firm.”

“So youaredat?—”

I hold my hand up this time. “I’m not really dating her. He thinks we’re dating. Actually, he thinks we’re getting married.”

“What? You’re engaged now?” She huffs and gets out of bed while shaking her head. “This is too much, Rad. I don’t know what’s going on here, but I think it’s best if you leave. We can discuss this tomorrow.”

I stay right where I am. “No, I want to talk about it now because you’re making assumptions?—”

“Me?” She points at herself in disbelief. “I’m only going off what the two of you have told me. Apparently, you’re tangled up in some weird love affair in a scheme to make money and get property. Is that the gist of it?”

Stepping forward, I take hold of her hands. She reluctantly lets me. “Not at all. We agreed to pretend only in front of him through his divorce and him giving her the property deed.” Holding her hands to my chest as if she’ll slip away if I don’t, I say, “You can think I’m a terrible person for making the best out of a bad situation, or trust that the thing with Marlow is nothing more than what we’ve said. I’m not interested in being with her. She’s not interested in me.”

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