by Jay McLean
He handed me a glass and softly kissed the top of my head. “I’m going to get some sleep. I’m sure we’ll find Mocha tomorrow.”
I froze. My lips parted to speak, but the words wouldn’t come again. I just nodded and watched him turn, and walk away. I was sort of stunned. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t that. Was he playing with me? It’s not like he tried to kiss me again, but I didn’t have loads of guy friends kissing the top of my head either. Should I be pissed? Was he just weirdly touchy? Was it weird to stay in this house with him? I needed someone to talk to.
I sat down at the counter and stared at my water. I desperately wanted to talk to Avery, but I knew she wouldn’t listen quietly. She was the most high-strung, free spirit I’ve ever met. I didn’t know if I was up for it. Plus I’d have to look at my phone which meant I might see some sort of message from Rob. Or not. Either way it wasn’t going to be good. I took a deep breath and pulled my phone out of my pocket. I am a grown woman who isn’t afraid of my iPhone.
I clicked the button and the screen lit up. Step one and I’m still ok. I punched in my code and surveyed my apps. Fourteen texts. Ouch. Three phone messages. Ok. I wasn’t even going to think about Facebook or Instagram yet. Texts first. Less scary than voice. I think. I clicked open my Messages. Thirteen from Avery. One from Rob. Go figure.
Avery’s messages progressed from the “WTF!?” sent last night, to “Are you alive?” to “If you don’t call me I’m calling the police. Or your boss.” The last message was received five minutes ago. Thank god. It would probably take her more than five minutes to find Will’s number so I was probably safe on that front. “Alive,” I texted back. “Call U in a bit”. I needed to face Rob’s message first.
“Hey Babe! When are you getting in?” I stared at the message. Did this mean he was excited to see me? Or was he so busy he had to schedule around my arrival? Or was that girl in the bikini sitting on his lap right now and he didn’t want me to walk in on them? My emotions flashed between guilt and anger as I considered the possibilities. I read it again. Anger. Definitely Anger. Shouldn’t he ask me how I am? Say he misses me? Something? Was I completely over reacting? There was one more place I could look.
I was itching to check Facebook, but I just had a feeling it wasn’t going to be good. I wanted to know, but I really didn’t want to know. What the hell was it about technology that could make you feel so insecure? Wasn’t all this crap supposed to make life better? I seriously question the whole premise. Ugh. Time to face the music. I’m going directly to Rob’s page. No scrolling through my friends random updates to find his. Not today.
There it was. Right up top. He’d changed his profile pic to a photo of him and Paul, arm in arm, with margaritas. So that’s how it is. A whole new album had been posted, Hawaii 2014. The first photo was the same I’d seen on Instagram. The bikini girls were just as hot as I remembered. The photos progressed through about four rounds of drinks until I got to the good stuff. What the hell? There was Paul down on the ground, grabbing his ankle. A shot of them with some nurses at an emergency room. Full circle, back on the beach, Paul with crutches this time—and a margarita—and the bikini girls. All smiles. I bit down hard on my lip to stop tears from welling. I was done with Rob Winters. DONE.
Thank god the phone started ringing or I might have thrown it out the window. Avery’s picture flashed before me. I guess I did tell her I’d call. I took a deep breath and answered, “Hello?”
“Where the hell have you been?” Avery’s voice was sharp. I had to hold the phone away from my ear she was so loud.
“Uh, dog sitting,” I replied lamely. Was it even fair to say you are dog sitting when you’ve lost the dog you’re supposed to be watching?
“I’ve been trying to get a hold of you, you know,” she said, her voice a little calmer. I could tell she was hurt.
“Sorry I didn’t call earlier Av,” I paused for a moment unsure of where to start. “It’s just really been a disaster here. Mocha has disappeared, I made out with Will’s brother and I’m pretty sure I’m going to get fired tomorrow—and Rob’s hanging out with some bikini girls on our would-be vacation—which I can’t even really be mad about given my own behavior. I’ve really fucked things up.” I was almost out of breath when I finished.
“Oh Kier, it can’t be that bad. You’ve only been watching the dog for a day right? She can’t be that lost?” Avery’s tone said she forgave me. I started to feel a little better. “And bravo for making out with someone. Your boss’s brother is an interesting choice, but Rob’s a tool and you know it.” Avery didn’t mince words. She loved it when I gave her an opportunity to bash Rob.
“Anyway you won’t get fired. You could probably sue him for making you dog sit in the first place. Staying at his house? It’s shady Kier, and you know it. You work at a big modern company where female employees don’t do household errands for the boss.”
“I volunteered remember,” I cut in before Avery could go any further down that particular rant. She was probably right, but I felt awful about losing Mocha. If she didn’t turn up tomorrow I’d deserve to get fired.
“Ok, Ok, you volunteered,” she repeated back to me in an insincere tone. “So who the hell is this brother and is he hot?”
I felt my face getting warm. “He’s not bad to look at, but Av, he’s not into me,” I replied flatly. Why did it bother me so much that he had called our kiss a mistake? It’s not like I was available. It was a mistake—and yet I couldn’t help but wonder what he was going to say when I cut him off. What had he wanted to tell me?
“Maybe he feels weird because his brother is your boss. Maybe he’s shy. You never know.” Avery could always read my mind.
I sighed. “It doesn’t matter. It’s not going to happen.”
She dropped her voice. “So, is he like, in the next room?”
“Yeah. And he can’t hear you so you don’t have to whisper.” I knew I wasn’t going to get away without a full interrogation on this one.
“So how did you leave it?”
“He just said goodnight and walked downstairs, I assume to crash on the couch. I didn’t ask where he was going. It’s certainly more his house than my house.” I left out the whole kiss on the head thing. I probably would have told her if she was here in person. I had a terrible poker face. “So, Rob. Look on Instagram and tell me what you think.”
“Why do you waste your time with that asshole?” I could hear the all too familiar disapproving tone in her voice.
“He’s not that bad. I mean, nobody’s perfect. I know he loves me.” I didn’t know why I always came to his defense, when in truth, I agreed with my best friend. Why did I waste my time with him? Did I know if he loved me? Would he ever change?
“And I love my hairdresser, but I am not in a relationship with him. There’s more to relationships than love.”
I was never going to win this argument. “You are so cynical.”
“I am a realist. Anyway, if you’re determined to learn the hard way who am I to stop you? Oooh, do you think you’re new friend will come to my class?”
“Jeremy? I somehow doubt he’s into Barre—and I’m not inviting him to anything. If you want to see him you’ll have to stalk him yourself.” I couldn’t picture it.
“Fine.” Her voice was sharp.
Avery had attention deficit. “The photos?”
“Rob? Fine, I’ll look.” There was a few minutes of silence. “Okay, Okay, yes, there he is. Surrounded by women who hardly qualify as women. Are they in high school?”
I ignored her question. “He asked me when I was coming.”
“Charming,” she replied, not hiding the sarcasm in her voice.
“It’s harmless.” There I go defending him again.
She wasn’t having it. “He’s smart. It might be uncomfortable for him to have you show up as he’s chatting up the prom queen. You aren’t the best wing man.”
I needed more wine. “Be nice.”
�
�I am nice Kiera. He is not nice and your self-esteem evaporates in his presence. Why don’t you come to that meditation retreat with me? Its next month and I know there are openings.”
“And not speak for three days? Forgot it.”
“Fine. Look, these photos could be totally harmless or not. You know my opinion so there was no need to ask me. You’re better off without him, but I’ll still smile and tolerate him if you want to keep him around."
Why did I bother asking? I knew her opinion. “Thanks a lot.”
“So, how is Will’s house? Have you done any snooping? Is he dating anyone these days?”
I was relieved for the subject change, but glad to have someone to talk to. It was way better than thinking about the mess I was in. It was going to be a long night.
Chapter SEVEN
I cracked open the door and peeked out into the living room. I mean, it’s not like I wasn’t supposed to be here, but I sort of felt like an intruder. Didn’t I read some story about a couple on the Eastside who moved into a house that was vacant, and tried claim it as their own? Squatters. I felt like a squatter. A squatter who not only moved into a house that was not my own, but also lost the owner’s beloved pet. Shit. What was I going to do? I didn’t know if I could face Jeremy, let alone Will. I am definitely going to get fired today, and deservedly so.
Unless—could there be some miracle and Mocha turns up? Please, please God, please let her turn up. I didn’t consider myself especially religious, but I still believed in the big guy—or girl—upstairs. Please, please, please. It couldn’t hurt to ask for a little help.
Jeremy’s back was to me, but I could see him sitting on the couch in a rumpled T-shirt, watching TV. ESPN. It surprised me a little. I am not sure what I expected him to be watching. Some gardening show? It was a nice picture him on the couch drinking coffee, his hair disheveled from sleep. I felt an urge to go sit next to him and rest my head on his shoulder. What would it be like if we weren’t in this fucked up situation? What if he was my boyfriend?
The phone in the kitchen rang, interrupting my flood of thoughts. He whipped around and my face felt instantly hot as his eyes landed on me. He smiled briefly, but turned to walk over to get the phone.
He picked up the receiver. “Yes,” he paused, “Yes Mocha.”
Thank god, the vet. I slipped through the door and walked over to the kitchen. I hated listening to one half of a conversation. My body was shaking with stress. Would they be able to locate her? I studied him for some sign of what the person on the other end of the line was saying.
His brow crinkled. “What?” He paused again and started pacing. “Are you sure?”
Oh god, what if it wasn’t good news? What if someone had found her hurt—or worse? My hands were sweating.
He nodded slowly. “I see. I see. Ok, thanks.” He set down the phone and looked at me, his expression doubtful. “Mocha is here.”
“What do you mean Mocha is here?” I looked at him waiting for an explanation. “It’s impossible.”
“A tech from the vet just called. They checked the system and according to the tracking tool, she’s at this address or within short distance of here.”
“Maybe she’s outside.” God, please let her be okay. “I’m getting my shoes.” I started back into the little guest bedroom to grab my Uggs, but the sound of a key rattling in the front door stopped me in my tracks. Shit. Shit. Could Will be home early?
Jeremy turned, startled. He was clearly not expecting anyone. I held my breath.
“Jeremy,” Harmony’s sing song voice rang out as she glided through the door on five inch Tory Burch platform booties, her silky hair freshly blown out. “You’re looking well. If Will and I hadn’t had that thing I might let you take me to breakfast,” She threw a glance my way, “but, I can see that you’re—um—busy. At least someone is getting some action in this place, although it didn’t seem like anyone was getting any action yesterday.” She motioned drinking with a perfectly manicured hand. “What happened to Callie?”
My mouth was literally hanging open. In her other perfectly manicured hand was a crystal studded pink leash. And at the end of the leash was Mocha. Looking perfectly perfect. Fuck. I was so relieved to see her I almost didn’t hear anything that Harmony had said. Almost.
“Harmony,” Jeremy replied flatly. “What a pleasure it is to see you. This is Kiera and before you make any more assumptions, she’s just a friend. You’ve had Mocha?”
“Of course I’ve had Mocha. Will left me a rambling message about some boring business trip and I’d just gotten back from Mexico so I dropped by to pick her up, when I stumbled across your little party.” She waived her hand dismissively. “When is Will coming back?”
“Didn’t you think to tell someone you were taking her?” He folded his arms across his chest. “I didn’t know you still had a key.”
“Why would I tell anyone? Will asked me to take her. Will and I are best friends. You know that. And it is only practical I have a key so I can pick up my little Mocha-kins.” She crouched down and petted Mocha’s head dramatically.
“He’s coming back tonight.” Jeremy didn’t look impressed with her show. I, however, was impressed. How could anyone be so perfectly coiffed—or dressed? From her Gucci tote to her tight ivory cashmere sweater to her meticulously distressed designer jeans. She didn’t shop at Forever 21 or H&M.
“Brilliant. Do you mind keeping an eye on Mocha for a few hours? I was afraid I’d have to put her in that pet hotel and came by to get her paperwork. Ed’s taking me to Sydney for the weekend.”
“You’re going to Australia for the weekend?” A legitimate question for a normal person. Harmony was not normal. She couldn’t be more than a year or two older than me, but I would guess that we had zero in common.
“Ed’s fueling up the jet as we speak. I hate to be cooped up for all that time, but he’s promised me something that sparkles, and you know diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”
She leaned down to pet Mocha again and Jeremy rolled his eyes. “Lucky for you, dog is man’s best friend. I’ll watch her.”
“You’re a lifesaver Jeremy!” She dropped the leash and walked over, throwing her arms around his neck. She was so petite her head barely reached his chin, even in those huge heels. She pressed herself against him and lingered in a way that was definitely not in the friend zone. I was annoyed. She finally released him and stepped back. “I hate to run since we’ve hardly had a chance to catch up, but Ed hates to be late and I have to finish packing. Please let’s do lunch soon, darling?”
“Sure Harmony,” he replied as he walked toward the door ushering her out, “Enjoy your trip.”
“Ciao Darling!” She leaned in to air kiss his cheeks again before slipping out the door, which Jeremy shut behind her with a thud.
He turned to me a smile finally breaking across his face. “Mystery solved.”
“Thank God. I knew I didn’t let her out. I was freaking out.” I sat down on the couch and sank back into the cushions. My body had become so tense I had a hard time trying to relax it. After all the horrible scenarios playing through my head, this was too good to be true. Mocha was here and perfectly fine. “I almost can’t believe it.”
“So I guess, you won’t get fired after all,” his voice was teasing. “Seriously though, I can watch her from here if you want to go. Will’s going to be back in a few hours.”
“Yeah.” I hesitated, trying to find some enthusiasm, “Paradise awaits me.” Why did I suddenly wish Jeremy was awaiting me in Hawaii not Rob? My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it.
Jeremy walked over and sat down next to me. “You don’t have to go you know. It’s not like it’s going to work out with that guy.”
The same thought was going through my head, but I didn’t like hearing it from him. “You don’t even know him. You’ve never even seen us together.”
“I’d say I know you better than he does and I’ve only known you for twenty four hours. Guys like
him are all the same. If he knew you like I know you he wouldn’t be there without you.”
My face started feeling hot. “You’re wrong about him.”
“Maybe—I don’t think so,” he replied simply, shrugging his shoulders.
I hated the nonchalant tone of his voice, the arrogance of his assessment. Was he some kind of relationship expert? Then it hit me. Something Harmony had said that stuck in my head. “Who is Callie?”
He was silent for a moment, but held my gaze. “My girlfriend.”
My blood was boiling. I jumped up from the couch. “Right. Of course. So you can spend the weekend with me, making me dinner, kissing me, and you’re a saint, but my boyfriend is a jerk?”
“It’s not like that, sit down,” he patted the couch, “and I never said I was a saint—and macaroni and cheese is hardly dinner.”
This guy was infuriating. I hated that he was telling me what to do. I hated that he was so calm. I hated that he might be right. “Don’t joke with me. You’re a hypocrite and an asshole.”
Jeremy sighed. “Why don’t you slow down a second and let me explain. You are really high strung you know.”
I’d had enough. Tears welled in my eyes. “Explain what? I’m going. Give Will my regards.”
The phone in my pocket buzzed again. Shit. I flipped it open. Another fucking Instagram update from Rob Winters. Are you kidding me? I couldn’t stop myself from looking. My breath caught in my throat. It was Rob and Paul sitting at a table, with the ocean in the background—and four untouched cocktails on the table. We were so over.
“A love note?” Jeremy taunted. His timing was impeccable.
I wanted to be honest, but my pride wouldn’t let me. “You’re just jealous. What’s Callie doing this weekend anyway?”
“Okay, okay,” he held up his hands. “Forget everything I said. Run off to your true love.”
