Loving The Enemy

12

Emily

“What took you so long?” I met her at my bedroom door where I’d been standing on pins and needles for the last five minutes. She’d made me stay here while she answered the door so as not to look too desperate, like I was doing exactly what I have been; standing by the door like I was waiting for my prom date.

“I had to give him the test.” I drew in my breath at her words, not quite sure I liked them. I knew what she meant and hadn’t even given thought to putting him through it. I felt just a hint of jealousy as I awaited her assessment. “And?” My tummy cramped and I almost told her not to tell me. I don’t think I could bear to hear that he’d made a pass at her, or that he’d been receptive to her advances.

“He passed with flying colors; not even a sneak peek and trust me I showed my ass but good; figuratively of course, no need to give me the death glare. Girl he’s good as gone. That fool spent the whole time breaking his neck trying to see upstairs.” We were both hopping up and down by the time she was done.

I don’t know why I’m so happy that she wasn’t able to turn his head. This little game is something we’d done once or twice in the past, with mixed results. It’s juvenile I know, but hey whatever works. I find it weird that she didn’t tell me she was going to try it on him though. Then again she seems to be reading more into this whole situation than I am.

When Simone isn’t buzzing in my ear I see this as nothing more than a financial arrangement. Two minutes in her presence and I’m hearing wedding bells and thinking of happily ever after. “Go before he wears a whole in the marble floor down there. Look at me.” I stopped and faced her. She had her serious face on and I knew whatever she was about to say was coming from a place of friendship. “Relax, have a good time, and just go with your gut. Trust me, no one will think less of you if you take this opportunity and run with it. And if they do, fuck ‘em. They’ll most likely do the same thing if they were in your shoes.”

I closed my eyes on a breath and nodded, though I was still not sure. “I know you, better than those sycophants you surround yourself with. I know you have morals and ideals and shit though you play the bubble headed nitwit well. We have a lot in common, that’s why I’m here. If you have feelings for this guy, take that chance for yourself. Now gimme a hug and get outta here. I’ll stay with your mom until the Xanax kicks in.” She kissed my cheek and pushed me out the door.

I stopped at the top of the stairs to compose myself before making my way down. He must’ve heard me coming because as I reached halfway down he came out of the living room, his eyes trained on the staircase. I faltered on the next step when I got a good look at him. He looked freaking amazing. Coming from a town of major box office stars and moneyed businessmen, I’ve seen my fair share of tuxedo clad males. None had ever filled out one of those things as well as Jason Storm.

His hair had been freshly cut, which made his features seem more pronounced. His dimples flashed when he saw me and moved towards the bottom of the stairs to await my descent. Should I say something about his looks? Or would I come off sounding like a total flake? Though the words burned a hole in my tongue and I had to squelch a little ‘wee’ of pleasure, I kept my posture as I reached his side.

“You look amazing Emily.” He wasn’t just saying that either. Not the way he looked me up and down with obvious interested pleasure before giving me his arm. My knees shook for the first few seconds as he led me out to the waiting car.

Once he seated me without the driver’s assistance I might add, and walked around to the other side, I took the time to regulate my breathing and get myself under control. For the first time in my adult life I felt completely out of my depth with a member of the opposite sex. It was obvious that he wasn’t like the boys I was accustomed to. Those I could easily control. Most were intimidated by me, for one reason or another. Whether it was my looks, or my former wealth. As he took his place beside me in the Rolls Royce, I was very aware that he wasn’t going to fall into that category.