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?”