Page 23 of Just A Kiss
“What was that about?” Hadley asks.
“I really have no clue,” I answer, taking another sip of my drink.
“She is so strange,” Hadley observes as we both watch her walk across the gallery and straight into Asher’s arms. He doesn’t look excited to see her. He doesn’t even lean down to kiss her. He looks content. So unlike he did when he barged into Hadley and Aiden’s bedroom earlier when he needed to see me. And suddenly, I know what I have to do. There’s no question about it.
“She’s a prostitute, you know?” Had whispers.
“What?” I pretend to be surprised.
She nods quickly as I take a drink of my champagne. “Aiden told me that Asher is paying her three thousand a night.”
I spit the champagne out at that statement and try to pick my jaw up off the floor.
* * *
The limo pulls upto Hadley and Aiden’s house. After they go inside, I stand awkwardly by the back of the car in the cold while Nate starts his to give it some time to warm. He comes over to me, placing his hands in the pocket of his dress slacks.
“We need to talk,” I tell him.
He sighs. “I figured this was coming.”
“I’m sorry I—”
“No need to apologize.” He interrupts me.
“But I do. I should have never dragged you into this.”
“You didn’t. It was Hadley’s idea.” He gives me a shy smile. “And I enjoyed it while it lasted.”
I laugh softly, and my body shakes due to the cold seeping into my bones. “Well, any time you need a fake fiancée, just give me a call, and I’ll be there to help you out.”
He blushes and looks down at his shoes. “I’ll remember that.”
I step into him, and he looks down at me surprised. I grab his jacket and gently pull him to me, then press my lips to his. He stiffens. His lips don’t move. He’s either shocked or terrified. I kiss him gently and then pull away, smoothing down his jacket. “Thank you again, Nate. You’re a good friend.”
He turns around and walks off without saying another word. I stand there until he gets in his car and drives off. When I walk into the house, Hadley is waiting for me in the living room. She sits on the couch with a glass of wine in her hand. I know it’s not for her, so I take it and plop down beside her.
“How did he take it?”
I laugh softly. “Pretty well. He knew it had an expiration date.”
She leans back into the couch. “I had a really pretty matron of honor dress picked out too.” I laugh. “And the wedding colors … it was going to be fabulous.”
“But fake.”
Her laughter just grows. “So now what are you going to do?”
Taking a drink of the wine, I shrug ’cause I have no freaking clue. That was the only plan I had, to quit the fake life I was building myself.
* * *
I walk outof my bathroom to find Candy lying on my bed. Naked. She has her back propped up with pillows and her arms spread out wide. “Come here.” She pats the white fitted sheet.
I stay where I’m at. Her green eyes run over my white button-up and black slacks. I’m still wearing my black tie and shoes because I’m in no rush to get undressed. Not with her anyway.
“You’ve paid to have me two nights in a row now, and you have yet to take advantage of me.” She arches a brow. “I have no problem working for my money.”
“I’m not paying you for sex.”