Page 50 of Book Boyfriend
He sighs and pulls my arm until I’m against him.
“You do not have storage. You’re perfect.”
“Not as perfect as Chloe.”
He takes a step back to see my face. “Is that what this is about? She told me to go after you to reassure you.”
“Aww, isn’t she sweet.” My sticky sarcasm makes him smirk.
“She’s a good person. I’d really like for her to get to know you better.”
“Why? She seems to know everything about me, yet you never once mentioned her to me. You tell her everything?”
“Noteverything. Chloe and I have a weird relationship. She can be really needy. She’s not proud of it, but it stems from years of bullying. Her self-esteem is almost non-existent.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“Are you jealous?”
“No.”
“Seriously, are you worried about her?”
“No. Why would I be? After all, you introduced me as your girlfriend to everyoneexcepther. Speaking of that, don’t you think we should have discussed what was going on with us before you announced it to everyone else?”
His eyebrows lift in amazement and he raises his hands in the air as if to shield himself from my sudden anger. “Whoa . . . let me get this straight. You’re mad because I didn’t call you my girlfriend to Chloeandyou’re mad because I called you my girlfriend to everyone else?”
I toy with my keys once more as I realize how ridiculous it sounds. “Yes?” I gaze up at him through my lashes and wince. “I’m sorry, okay? I just started feeling like a third wheel.”
“Babe, you are the main wheel. The only wheel, if you ask me. I didn’t realize I didn’t call you my girlfriend when I introduced you. I was shocked to see her. It was inconsiderate of me.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m just . . . I don’t know . . . feeling insecure, I guess.”
He grabs a hold of me and pulls me against his chest. “There’s not a thing for you to worry about. I promise.”
“Okay.” I try to sound confident as I grip his shoulders and inhale his scent like it’s the last time.
He pushes me back to study me. “Please come back and eat with us. It would mean a lot to me.”
I don’t know what to do. I want to stay, but I also want to go.
He stares at me while I try to decide. “Chloe told me that when I ran after you, I should tell you more about her.”
“Like what?” I ask.
“It’s a long story.”
“Okay . . .” I say, watching him glance back to the tent. He rubs his hand along the back of his neck.
“What? Just say it.” I mentally prepare myself to hear they dated.
“Oh . . . let’s start off with the fact that when I first met her, her name was Joey. And . . . she was a guy.”
“What did you say?”
The waitress brings us our drinks and we toast to Fisher and his amazing acting talent.
After Fisher’s little revelation in the parking lot, I decided to return to dinner with him. He told me it was Chloe’s story to tell, but that she gave him permission to reveal that little tidbit so I’d feel less concerned about her. She made a joke about not being able to help the fact she was more woman than half of the women in the tent. It made me laugh and I felt awful for jumping to conclusions.
