Three
867 Words
Catalina
A night with Jace.
My first night with Jace since moving in.
With my mom being blissfully busy with work, it’ll give us a chance actually to get to know each other a little better.
The thought alone makes my face break out into a wicked grin, and I reach into my lingerie drawer with eager fingers, carefully picking out the little red, silky number that got me out of that traffic ticket last year. I pair it with an oversized white, knitted cardigan that hangs off my shoulder. It strategically shows off the scalloped cups of my bralette.
I take my time brushing out my long hair before I braid it down one side of my neck and douse myself in lavender body spray before I tug on my little yoga shorts. Emphasis on the little.
I know Jace likes a girl-next-door. And I’m gonna give him just what he wants. Even if he doesn’t know it yet.
And that thing he wants? That's me.
Wishful thinking.
Once I get downstairs there's no sign of Jace, so I install myself on the couch and put on the TV.
The sliding doors in the kitchen are still open, bringing in the nice evening breeze, the faint smell of cut grass, and chlorine wafting through the air as I stretch my legs.
“God, I f*****g told you that we could not take on another project until next month,” Jace barks into the phone by his ear. My eyes widen as I take in his aggressive tone, the veins in his arms almost popping.
“No, dude, no…it’s f*****g impossible,” he goes on. “I’m up to my neck in the Franson’s project and I have my hands pretty full with paperwork as well.”
He tugs his hair, the dirty blond highlighted from spending hours in the sun, before he walks over to the kitchen, his face reflected in the bay window over the sink. If looks could kill, the person on the other end of the line might just have evaporated.
“Of course, Sean, let me just conjure up a secretary right the f**k now!” he’s full-on yelling now. “If it was that easy to hire someone, we would already have a f*****g top-notch office administrator so that we could focus on the practical side of things.”
Jace sighs at something Sean, his best friend and business partner says, shoulders slumping, and he rubs his face.
“f*****g hell, Sean…way to go. You really shouldn’t have told her that. What were you thinking?”
“Sure. Whatever you say, man.” Jace turns, blue eyes intense and blazing with the heat of Greek fire. “Now leave me the f**k alone, I’ve got other things to do on a Sunday night then talk to you.”
He chuckles before hanging up, leaving his phone on the kitchen counter.
“f*****g hell,” Jace mutters, walking my way.
“That bad?” I wonder, sitting up straight, biting my lip. I guess whatever silly plan I had in my head earlier just got canceled. I don’t even know what I was thinking.
My phone beeps with a notification, and I frown as I spot the email.
Payment due.
I almost groan audibly and shut off my phone at lightning speed, throwing it in between the throw cushions on the couch.
“Bad text?” Jace asks, one brow arched at my actions.
“I—,” I start, but change my mind. “Bad email,” I say. “I need a job, pronto.”
“That bad?”
I nod.
“I have a lot of credit card debt since I couldn’t afford my groceries anymore. Plus, my car broke down, and there were some unforeseen pains up my ass because of that.”
“Why didn’t you call sooner?” There’s a look of concern on Jace’s face.
I shrug.
“Mom isn’t really known for her ability to understand and be a warm, loving parent.” I roll my eyes.
“But you knew she would let you crash here until you got back on your feet.”
“She’s charging me rent for the room, and she won’t even hire me for the position she has open at the planning agency.”
If Jace knew about any of this he hides it well.
“She, what?” He shakes his head, leaning his forearms on his thighs.
“Yeah, my f*****g Mom—your wifey, charges her broke as f**k daughter rent for the bedroom she grew up in and denies me a f*****g job.”
“Wow,” he breathes. “f****d up…”
“I know.” I cross my arms in front of my chest, the cardigan dropping further, flashing my lace bralette.
Blue eyes flicker to my chest and up, where they search for something I don’t know on my face. My heartbeat skyrockets, my cheeks flaming red.
“Baby doll,” Jace sighs, suddenly dead-serious. “I think I have something you want.” His voice is so low, it’s almost a purr. It sets my soul aflame.
- Writer
