Page 30

Rad

“For my father,” Marlow says, like everyone should know what the hell she’s talking about.

Fucking hell.

I knew this arrangement would come back to bite me in the ass.

I just thought it would be professionally.

Meanwhile, Tealey appears rather calm after this bombshell was just dropped on her.

Still, not moving a muscle, except her eyes, she shoots me a hard glare, and then she says, “Explain. In detail.”

The woman’s got the patience of an angel.

Marlow stands and starts pacing, making this worse by dragging this out. Fucking tell her, Marlow! She finally speaks. “I asked Rad to come with me to dinner with my dad.”

Tealey’s silence on the matter worries me.

What is she thinking? Are we done before we’ve begun?

Talk about having the worst timing. I want to be kissing her again, but instead, I’m tucked between a towel warmer and the shower, spying on her through a one-inch crack of the door with panic rising like bile as Marlow feeds her bits and pieces of the story.

Tell her it’s a favor.

Tell her it’s pretend.

Tell her we aren’t really dating.

Tell her the truth, dammit!

If I had my way, I’d clear this up in two point four seconds. Not drag it out for dramatic effect like Marlow loves to do.

Tealey says, “You hate dinners with your dad, so I’m trying to understand how this is different? You had a date with Rad, or he was there for moral support?” Thank God. This will finally be cleared up.

“What’s wrong with your chin, Teals? You’re all red.” I lean forward to see Marlow leaning close to Tealey.

“It’s nothing.” Tealey touches her chin, but then says, “I must be breaking out. Tell me about Rad.” Come on, Tealey. Don’t doubt me. Please don’t doubt us.

“He was there for moral support.” Phew! I sink back and take a deep breath. “My dad has always loved him, so I felt he could temper the fires between us.”

“I’m missing something. Is there more to the story or was all that just for dramatic effect?”

Marlow sits back down on the bed next to her. “My dad adores him. Thinks of him like the son he wished he had instead of me.”

“I’m sure that’s not true. Your father dotes on you.”

“Maybe.” Sadness drips from her sigh. Go on . . . “He’s really come around, but it’s sort of, kind of come at a cost.”

“Which is?”

“He told me he’s getting his divorce but was thrilled to hear Rad and I were together.”

“Why would he think you and Rad are dating?”

Thank you, Tealey.

“I don’t know.” Marlow shrugs. “He just did, and neither of us rushed to correct him.”

“Rad didn’t?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because Rad gets something from it. Why else? Guys never do anything unless there’s something to gain.”

No. No. No. I growl. Don’t do this, Marlow. Don’t plant those doubts about me.

Marlow laughs, but there’s no humor in the sound. “If we play along, like the happy couple, we both gain something for it. Why else would he agree?”

“He agreed?” Tealey walks to the dresser. With her head dipped down, she rubs her brow. “Agreed to what?” She spins back and snaps, “Give me the short version, Marlow.”

“Geez, you’re so moody, Teals.”

“It’s late, and I’m tired, and a big part of this story is still missing. Are you dating, or was he there as moral support?”

“Moral support but for the sake of my dad, we’re dating.” Thank. Fuck. I didn’t think she’d ever get to the truth. “For some reason, the man who can’t seem to settle down wants me to. I don’t know. It’s probably to get me off his payroll.”

“You work for your dad?”

“No, I just get an allowance. I was speaking metaphorically.”

When Tealey starts pacing toward me, she squints to spot me in the dark. Not sure if she does, but I mouth, “I’m sorry.” Just in case.

When Tealey whips back around, she says, “So this scheme you’ve thought up is about money?”

“It’s about an apartment in Tribeca, actually, and I didn’t make this up. As I said, my dad assumed we were together and offered to buy my apartment as a gift, a nest egg, for us.”

Rubbing her temple, Tealey stares at Marlow like she’s grown a third eye. “This makes no sense.” She releases a hard breath. “I think we should continue this discussion in the morning.”

“Okay.” Marlow stands and then throws her arms around Tealey. Tealey doesn’t make a move. Shit. I have a feeling the option to kiss her all night might have just flown out the window.

Marlow takes a step back, and this time, she’s the one staring at her friend. “Are we okay?”

Tealey gives her a nod. “Fine. I’m just tired.”

“Okay.” Marlow walks to the door and turns back. “You seem tired.”

Another nod but no words are spoken, so Marlow keeps talking. “I thought you’d get a kick out of me and Rad dating. As if . . .”

“Yeah, completely unimaginable.”

Marlow’s head jerks back. “I wouldn’t go that far. We have a lot in common.”

Tealey crosses her arms over her chest, and I’m praying she doesn’t take the bait. This will only end badly for all of us. She asks, “Like what?”

Marlow needs to read the room and her best friend’s temperament. Nothing good, Marlow. Walk out now , I will with my mind.

Never willing to take anyone’s advice, she replies, “We both come from money and well-known families. There are differences that only we understand.”

“As opposed to the average suburban family, like mine?”

Oh, fuck. Do I let this go on?

“Well, yeah. Like?—”

“I don’t want to hear anymore tonight.” Tealey holds her hands up in front of her, putting an end to this torture . . . for both of us . “I was tired before, but now I have a headache.”

Is that for Marlow or me?

“Okay, well, good night, Teals.”

“Night.” The door is shut, but I don’t see or hear any movement. When the lock catches, Tealey says, “You can come out now.”

I’m careful, each step tentative as I walk into the bedroom. I’m not greeted with a smile, and there’s no relief found in her expression. Her arms are crossed, and she asks, “You’re dating Marlow?”

That I’m having to address this at all as if I’ve done something wrong, I reply, “I’m not dating Marlow. Not officially.” I reach for her, but she takes a step back. “Not like how I want to date you.”

Her eyes go wide, her head thrown back from a scoff. “Me? We’re not even dating, and now you’re telling me you’re with her, but you want to be with me?”

Tangled webs are really not my thing. Ever.

Most of all, I don’t want to lose Tealey because of this absurd charade.

“Will you listen to me with an open mind?”

“It will be a struggle, but I’ll try.”

She moves to sit at the head of the bed and crosses her legs. She appears calm, willing to hear me out. Calm is good. Listening is great.

Keeping my voice down, I say, “I went along with his assumption to ease tension between her and her dad. I guess he assumed we were together because none of you were there, like usual.” I shrug.

“It’s weird that he’d think that because nothing was going on and still isn’t.

” Distracted by those sexy lips of hers, my thoughts muddle.

“Rad?” Two snaps.

“Huh?”

“You were saying that nothing is going on and . . .?”

I rack my brain as to what we were talking about, and the words miraculously reappear. “I’m dating Marlow so she gets the apartment and I make partner at the firm.”

“So you are dat?—”

I hold my hand up this time. “I’m not really dating her. He thinks we’re dating. Actually, he thinks we’re getting married.”

“What? You’re engaged now?” She huffs and gets out of bed while shaking her head. “This is too much, Rad. I don’t know what’s going on here, but I think it’s best if you leave. We can discuss this tomorrow.”

I stay right where I am. “No, I want to talk about it now because you’re making assumptions?—”

“Me?” She points at herself in disbelief. “I’m only going off what the two of you have told me. Apparently, you’re tangled up in some weird love affair in a scheme to make money and get property. Is that the gist of it?”

Stepping forward, I take hold of her hands.

She reluctantly lets me. “Not at all. We agreed to pretend only in front of him through his divorce and him giving her the property deed.” Holding her hands to my chest as if she’ll slip away if I don’t, I say, “You can think I’m a terrible person for making the best out of a bad situation, or trust that the thing with Marlow is nothing more than what we’ve said.

I’m not interested in being with her. She’s not interested in me. ”

“Rad . . .” Her eyes turn down, and her head follows.

“I’m right here, Tealey. Right here with you. You’re all I want.” She looks up, so I beg, “Please believe me.” When I have her full attention, I kiss her cheek and whisper, “I’ve waited a lifetime to be with you.”

Any anger that she was harboring in her eyes disappears.

I don’t get one of her beautiful smiles, but her fingers fold around my hand.

“I really don’t know what kind of deal you two have made, but the truth always comes out, so I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt.

Tomorrow, I want the full story with both of you sitting there. But tonight . . .”

“Anything, Tealey.” I brush her hair behind her ear, still holding her hand to me.

“I just want it to go back to how it was before Marlow said anything.” Taking her hand from mine, she then stretches her arms around me. “I can’t say when I started having feelings for you, but I can’t stop them either. All I can ask is that you please don’t hurt me.”

Engulfing her in my arms, I kiss the top of her head. “I won’t.”

She looks up, her chin on my chest. “I don’t need a rushed response. I want you to think about it.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I pull her closer until she’s standing between my legs. “I don’t need time to figure it out. I already know the answer. You’re giving me a chance, and I won’t blow it. I promise not to hurt you, Tealey.”

A gentle smile finally slips into place, and she says, “After what just happened, is it wrong to want you to stay?”

“What does your heart tell you?”

Her smile blooms brighter. “To kiss you again. What do you think I should do?”

“I think you should listen to your heart.” She leans in, and I cup her face. We come closer with only an inch or two between us, and I say, “I need you to make me a promise.”

“Okay.” Her breath is heavy, but her expression is light and playful, intrigued by the suggestion.

“If I stay, you’re going to have to promise you won’t ravage me.”

Already laughing, she rolls her eyes as she pushes away. I catch her hand and pull her to my lap, wrapping my arms around her. She tilts her head as giggles escape her. “You’re ridiculous, Welly. You know that?”

“I do know, but women find me irresistible. What about you?”

Rubbing the back of her hand along my cheek, she says, “Utterly irresistible.” This time, she cups my face and kisses me. When we roll back on the bed with her on top of me, I know. I just know . . . Tealey Bell is going to be the death of me.