Page 111 of Derailed
I climb into the bench seat, resting back against the wall, and stretch out my legs. “Yeah. Tell me how your daywas?”
“It was really fun,actually.”
“Tell me aboutit.”
“This morning I had class, then work afterward. Paula gave me free rein in the window display. Like, do you know how amazing that was? I’ve only been there a week and she’s all, here, have these gorgeous clothes and shoes and accessories I designed and put them in the window however you want. Sean, I can’t believe she pays me forthis!”
“I’m sure you’re worth every penny. Did you take a picture? I wannasee.”
“I did. I’ll text it to you. How was yourshow?”
It was a good night. It’s always a good night doing what you love for thousands of screaming fans. “We played our hearts out. Philly brings one of the bestcrowds.”
“I want to come to your show in LA. If that’sokay?”
“Um, let me think about it.” I only pause a second. “Yeah, no, that would be about thegreatest.”
She laughs, throaty and deep. “What? I had toask.”
“For the record you never have to ask. I’ll get you backstage passes. I know aguy.”
“Yeah? He soundsokay.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “So, what did you dotonight?”
“Cora called right before the shop closed and invited me out to dinner. We went to this cute Mediterranean place on Sunset. It was sogood.”
“That’s awesome. I’m glad you two get along so well.” She’s hung out with Cora several times since they met. I’m happy she’s gaining friends and setting down roots in the same place I callhome.
“Yeah, she’s really sweet. We have a lot of the same interests. I like her.” Jess clears her throat. “Except for how often she mentionsyou.”
“What? Really?” It takes me by surprise, not only that Cora talks about me, but that it bothers Jess enough to saysomething.
“Yeah.” The silence stretches across the line. “Did you and she ever . . . ?” There’s a prickliness to her words that goes beyond curiosity. She’s not just asking. She’sjealous.
“You want to know if we slept together?” It’s difficult to hide the grin from my tone. When I left LA I was willing to wait years, if that’s how long it took for Jess to want a “more” with me. I’m elated at the thought she might be ready for that commitmentsooner.
“I’m sorry. That’s rude. You don’t have to tell me.” The words tumble out in arush.
“Jess.”
“I was only curious. I don’t expect that you never hooked up with anyone. Or that you aren’tnow.”
“Jess.”
She laughs but it’s the one she uses when she’s nervous. “What I mean is, we’re friends, but you don’t owe me any explanations for youractions.”
“Jess. Stop. First of all, I’m an open book when it comes to you. You can ask me anything and I’ll always tell you the truth, even if it might hurt. No, I never slept with Cora Bentley.” I had the opportunity but it never felt right, and for that I’m thankful. “And second, I hope you understand that when I said I would wait until you were ready for more, I made a commitment not to sleep around. I only want you. I haven’t slept with anyone else since wemet.”
“Since we met?” She doesn’t hold back her shock. “Really?”
“Why is that so surprising?” I chuckle and shake my head. How does she think I could share that with anyone else with her in mylife?
“It just is. I mean, I’m sure you had theopportunity—”
“I’ve had meaningless sex before. I’m no saint. But that stopped being fun after the first year on tour. If I’m going to be intimate with someone, I want it to be more than fucking.” It was more withher.
“Oh.”
