Page 57 of Jaked

He pushed away from the wall and closed the distance between us. Soon, he was towering over me, all coiled muscle and explosive energy. "Because I don't believe for one fucking minute that you picked that thing out."

I glared up at him. Bianca's warnings rang in my ear. "So what's the deal?" I said, my tone growing snotty. "It's not sexy enough for you?"

His gaze dipped to the dress. "You thinkthat'sthe problem?"

I made a scoffing sound. "Isn't it?"

"Just answer me something." His gaze bored into mine. "Do you really like it?"

"The dress?" Reluctantly, I looked down. "It's nottoobad."

"Uh-huh," he said. "And I'll ask you again, who picked it out? You? Or Bianca?"

I shrugged. "It was a joint effort."

He gave me a penetrating look. "So Bianca liked it?" His voice grew sarcastic. "She gave it her 'seal of approval'?"

"Well, she thought it would be appropriate for tonight, so…" I shrugged. "Yeah. I guess."

"Good to know." He glanced toward the door. "You ready to go?"

I drew back, surprised by the sudden change in his demeanor. I glanced down at the dress. "Are you're willing to be seen with this 'thing'?"

"We're meeting Bianca downstairs," he said. "So yeah. I'm sure."

I wanted to groan. "She's going with us?"

"Yeah," he said. "Didn't she tell you?"

"No," I said. "And why shouldshehave to tell me?Youcould've mentioned it, you know."

Childish or not, I wanted to run back into the guest bedroom, rip off that ugly dress, and dive under the covers. And then, I wanted to sleep for twelve hours straight and magically wake up in my old apartment – before Rango, before Bianca, and now, before Jake.

I looked down, blinking long and hard. When I looked up, something in Jake's expression had changed.

"You're right," he said. "I should've mentioned it. I'm sorry."

My jaw dropped. "You are?"

"Yeah," he said. "But you need remember something."

"What?"

"Tonight,you'remy guest. Not Bianca."

"Then why is she going?" I asked.

"Because I'm paying her to be there," he said.

Recalling Bianca's earlier words, I felt myself swallow. I still didn't believe what Bianca had implied. Or maybe I just didn't want to believe it.

I heard myself sigh. I'd had more than enough of Bianca for one day. And somehow, I knew in my heart thatshe'dlook like a million bucks. My stomach twisted. Maybe she was beingpaidto look like a million bucks.

Maybe later, she'd be paid to wear nothing at all.

Across from me, Jake reached for my hand. It felt big and strong as it closed around mine. It should've made things better. But somehow, it just made everything worse.

And then he spoke. "Luna?"