Stanton Box Set

“Listen Jesten, I was hoping we could be friends but I am marrying Joshua because I love him and it has nothing to do with money and you and he are never going to get along so let’s just leave it at that. Ok?”

“When’s the wedding?” he asks.

“Ten weeks,” I reply.

“We’ll see,” he murmurs almost to himself.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I snap.

“You won’t fucking marry him!” he screams.

“Yes Jesten, I will,” I reply coldly.

“Are you in LA?” he asks.

“Yes, where do you think I am?” I scoff. What’s with the twenty questions?

He stays silent on the phone as he thinks.

“I have to go. I’m out to dinner with a friend,” I reply.

“What friend?” he asks.

“Adrian, you know my friend Adrian,” I reply.

“No,” he snaps. “Who is he?”

I roll my eyes. Now he’s getting jealous of Adrian.

“Goodbye Jesten.”

“Tash, don’t go,” he whispers in a panicked voice. “I think I love you. I can’t stop thinking about you… and about what we could be together. Come back to me.”

My heart drops. Jesten and I did have a connection and the truth is I am sad that we can’t even be friends. “Jes,” I whisper. “Don’t.”

“Please,” he begs.

“Jes, I’m not the girl for you. I’m in love with another man. You and I were just friends. I would like it if we could stay friends.”

He stays silent and I know I have to get off the phone.

“Bye Jes, take care.”

I wait on the phone for a reply but again silence and I slowly hang up.

I put my head in my hands. God, I hate hurting people’s feelings.

“Tough huh?” Adrian asks.

I pick up my drink and drain the glass.

“Who was he again?” Adrian asks.

“You know that prison warden guy who cage-fights with Joshua, the one who told me to think of him while I had sex with Joshua.”

Adrian bubbles up a chuckle. “Oh yeah, the dude with the big balls.”

I smile. “That is pretty tough, hey.”