Page 129 of Light My Fire Three Times
Roman grins, his eyes glinting with a touch of mischief.
“You’re confident. I like that.” He nods toward the machine. “Flat white it is.”
“Are youher?” Both Roman and I stare at the sharp-eyed woman with her hands on her hips, glaring at us. I didn’t even hear her walking up! “Are you the woman Jesse left me for?”
Uh oh.
I’ve heard about Jesse’s ex, Vanessa, but I didn’t know I’d be confronted about her.
Gossip about her is right. Sheisintimidating.
Roman mumbles something under his breath as he grabs his coffee and backs off. Good for him, he can escape.
I’m stuck here, staring at her.
“I…” I swallow hard. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She gives me a look that could freeze fire. “Jesse wasmyguy first. And now, here you are, just waltzing in, trying to play house. How cute. You really think you’re going to get something different from what I did?”
“Erm…”
I feel the blood rush to my face. I’m not sure if it’s anger or just pure disbelief. I wish I had a snappy comeback for her, but I’m at a loss.
She scoffs, stepping closer. “I saw you two at the Lantern Walk. Don’t think I didn’t notice. All cozy and cute, like some perfect little couple.”
I shake my head as my eyes dart above her head. Yep, people are staring. Of course they are. If I were in their position, I’m sure I would be looking too.
“You think you’re special, don’t you?” she continues, dripping with disdain. “You think Jesse cares about you? Please. He doesn’t care about anything. He’s the same with you as he was with me. A moment of distraction, and then he moves on to the next. And trust me, I’ve seen it all before.”
I try to keep my cool, but the way she’s speaking about him… it makes me sick.
It’s like she doesn’t know him at all. Or worse, she thinks she knows him. But he isn’t like that with me. I’ve seen no sign of him being an ass.
“You’re just a rebound, honey,” Vanessa continues, lowering to a venomous whisper. “He’ll get bored. He always does. And when he does, you’ll be the one left picking up the pieces, just like me.” She crosses her arms, her eyes narrowing as she watches me. “I can see it already. He’s probably already thinking about his next distraction. Because that’s what Jesse does best: ruin women and leave them in pieces.”
I try to keep my composure, but I can feel my jaw tightening, my grip on the counter white knuckled.
Her words sting. Hell, they tear at something inside me that I don’t like to think about.
It’s hard to keep my mouth shut, but I’m sure Bill Granger is loitering, listening in, and I think Dottie might be behind him.
If this gets out, nothing will be sacred anymore.
“Please… go…” I just about manage to pant out.
“You think I don’t know what I’m talking about? Jesse’s not a good guy, Olivia.”
Please stop it.
I slide my eyes closed, but she isn’t going anywhere.
“He’s just like every other man who’s ever used me. You think it’s different? You think he’s going to change for you? Please. You’re just another one of his projects."
I try to silently glare at her, to communicate with my eyes that she needs to go.
“You’ll see. You’ll feel it when he starts to gaslight you. Starts to make you feel like you’re in a real relationship with him when you aren’t.”
“Enough,” I declare, but clearly not loud enough.
