Going Deep (Imperfect Love 2)

“If you’re afraid of your mom being alone, we could bring her with us,” I offer.

“She hates to leave her house, and since I live with Olivia, that’s not an option. I’m not about to bring my shit to her doorstep. I’ll figure it out. I’m sorry you had to see that.” She smiles softly, but it’s a sad smile, and my heart hurts for her. But then her eyes meet mine, and it’s as if she’s just remembered she isn’t supposed to be nice to me.

“You can wait outside in the car. Once Donna gets here, we can go,” she says, clearly dismissing me, and I can already see her mask rising back over her face.

The ride home was once again silent. When we arrived at her place, she quickly thanked me and got out, and since then she’s never once mentioned her mom again. I have no idea what happened—if her dad returned, or even how her mom is doing. I haven’t asked, and she hasn’t spoken of it. I shouldn’t even care. It’s not my business. She’s not my business. So then why are you thinking about her?

Three

Giselle

I’m sitting at the table in my favorite Japanese restaurant with Celeste, Killian, Nick, and Olivia. Adrianna didn’t make it down because she had an important cram session she needed to attend for an upcoming test, and I insisted she stay there to prepare. Nick and Killian are discussing their win against Jacksonville and what they need to do to beat Pittsburgh. Olivia is showing Celeste pictures of Reed since she’s been out of the country the last few months. She launched her new clothing line worldwide last year, and she’s been traveling all over to promote it.

We’re all here to celebrate my twenty-sixth birthday, and the only thing I want to do is go home and get some sleep. I’m beyond exhausted from all the hours I’ve worked this week. But because I know tonight means a lot to Olivia, and I’ve been pushing her away recently, I keep a smile on my face as I listen to everyone around me converse.

“You ended up staying longer than planned. Did you meet anyone special while you were away?” Olivia asks Celeste, waggling her eyebrows playfully.

Celeste laughs. “Funny…actually, I am dating someone. His name is Chad Vacanti.”

“Good for you,” Olivia says. “Is it serious?”

“As serious as two people can be who have busy careers.” Celeste shrugs.

“So, in other words, he’s a workaholic like you,” Olivia volleys back playfully.

“No, he’s…dedicated to his job and works hard like me. He’s a VP for the investment banking firm he works at. He had to fly over to the UK for some business, so we met up while I was there. It was nice.”

Killian chuckles, and everyone looks his way.

“What?” Celeste glares.

“Nothing.” Killian smirks.

“Just say it,” Celeste insists.

“It’s nothing, really. I’m just glad you finally found your millionaire.” He pops a piece of sushi into his mouth and chews, then adds, “I take it you found him on Wall Street? Tell me, Celeste, does he know he’s dating a gold-digger?”

“Screw you!” Celeste hisses. “For your information, my company’s fourth quarter earnings grossed over six-point-five million dollars in profit, asshole.”

Everyone at the table stills in shock. Holy shit! Celeste really is doing well for yourself. Go her!

“Damn, Celeste!” Nick pats her on her shoulder. “That’s awesome.”

“Congratulations,” Olivia adds.

“Seriously!” I say, “That’s awesome!”

“Thank you.” She smiles proudly.

“Then why the hell are you still searching for your happily-ever-millionaire?” Killian questions.

“Killian,” Olivia chides.

“What? It’s just a question,” he says. God, he’s such a judgmental ass!

“I’m not looking for a millionaire.” Celeste takes a deep breath and her eyes dart all over the place, like she’s suddenly uncomfortable. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting a man who’s stable and has his life together…who can afford to pay his bills…” She huffs. “Never mind, you wouldn’t understand.” She lifts her glass of Sake to her mouth and downs it.

“So, what you’re saying is if you met a guy who, let’s say, works full-time, pays his bills on time, but only makes five figures a year, you would date him,” Killian challenges.

Celeste shoots daggers his way, and Killian laughs. Before she can answer, Nick jumps in. “Kill…stop, man.”

Killian shrugs and downs his beer. I don’t know what his deal is tonight, but I do not want to be on the receiving end of his inquisition. My goal is to lay low and pray he doesn’t call me out on seeing me last night. I’m already regretting the fact that I goaded him by telling him I was going to fuck Roman and that his car was stupid and ugly. It’s really not either one. On the contrary, it’s one of the most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen, and it has all the bells and whistles.