Page 69 of That Fake Feeling

“AuntJen!”Ireally don’t need to know what she thinks about my sex life.

“Andif it is just a summer fling,” she continues, “then good for you.Youpicked a real hottie for it.Andone with the cash to show you a damn good time.”Sheholds up her mug as if she’s drinking a toast. “Andit’ll do you good to blow away the cobwebs as well.”

“AuntJen!”Jesus,Idefinitely don’t need her making references to my dusty vagina.

“Well, goodGod,Rose.”Sherolls her eyes. “Howlong has it been since…what’s-his-name?”

Iam definitely not going any further down this path.Timeto move on.

Iraise my eyes to the ceiling and shake my head. “Themain thing is,I’mglad you’re not too pissed off with me.”

“Aw,Rosie, don’t be silly.Iflosing your mom achieved anything, it taught us both how very short life is.Andhow we shouldn’t waste a single precious second of it.So, if you want to spend a couple of months rolling around with a smoking hot billionaire, yay for you.”Shepunches the air.

Maisiereappears, sits on the keyboard, and meows loudly.

“Someone’shungry,”AuntJensays, peering at me around her.

“Okay, well,Ineed to do a ton of research for my last essay of summer school too.”

Shegathers up the cat and kisses her on the head. “Maybenext time we talk, you could haveConnorwith you soIcan meet him.”

Hellfire, no.Myblood runs cold andIfumble for words. “I’lldo my best.Heworks a lot.ButI’lltry.”

“Tryhard,” she says, running her hand along the mewing cat’s back. “And, yes,Iwish you’d told me, but not to worry,Istill love you.”

I’mnot sureIdeserve her being so good to me.

“Thanks,AuntJen.Loveyou too.Talksoon.”

Iwave just as her internet gremlins intervene once again andI’mleft with a frozen image ofJenblowing me a kiss.

Iflop back onto the bed.AtleastIgot out of that without telling her anything that wasn’t true.Well, not much, anyway.

NowIneed to get on with the research for this essay.Ineed to get my priorities back on track.

Irun my hand over the finest beddingI’veever slept in.

Theonly reasonI’min this house and lying on it is to pay for school.

Theonlyreason.

18

ROSE

Thewarm water from the rainfall showerhead beats against my back asIclose my eyes and lather shampoo in my hair.

Todayis a new day.Mondaymorning, the start of a new week.AllIhave to do is smile, get the job done, and everything will be fine.

Ina few weeks,I’llbe back in school, unburdened by multiple jobs and worries about tuition fees.Andit will all have been worth it.

Andbesides, it’ll be great to see the gang atTheLearningVillagetoday.I’vemissed them these last few weeks.AtleastIwill have gotten something out of this for them, too, something that changes their futures as well as mine.

Thegushing of the water is suddenly accompanied by the rattle of my phone on the marble counter.

It’sprobablyConnorsaying what time he wants to leave.

Iturn off the water, lean around the door to grab a towel, and wrap it around me.