Daddy's Rich Enemy
But that doesn’t change the fact that James Carter is still Allie’s father.
I feel like I’m falling in love with her. Hell, I know that I’m falling in love with her.
So, what the fuck am I supposed to do now?
Chapter Eleven
Allie
“It’s been days since I’ve heard from him,” I complain morosely to Mara. “I think he was just using me for sex.”
Mara narrows her eyes and reaches deep into the popcorn bucket for the last handful of kernels.
“Al, you’re the one who left his place in the middle of the night,” she replies skeptically. “Don’t you think that may have sent the wrong message?”
I pout and dump the last of the Milk Duds into my mouth. Movie nights have been a ritual with Mara for years. We used to go to Blockbuster and spend hours picking out a DVD to watch, but things are a little different. Now, we load up on junk food from the grocery store and scroll through Netflix.
Oh, technology.
“I’m not trying to be mean,” Mara says gently. She chews thoughtfully on a strand of red licorice. “I’m just being honest. Most guys would take that as a sign that you’re not interested.”
My cheeks tingle with a pink blush and I bite my lip. I still haven’t told Mara all the dirty details about my newfound sexual awakening, but I know that she can tell something has changed.
“I’m very interested,” I say. “I just...”
“Allie, tell me,” Mara says. She narrows her eyes at me. “Best friends don’t keep secrets, right?”
“He doesn’t want a silly little girl like me,” I reply. “I’m fat. And stupid. And worthless. Why would he want me when he could have a supermodel?”
“Maybe he’s had a supermodel or two and found them lacking,” Mara says with a giggle.
I glare at her. “That’s not funny! If anything, that just makes me feel even worse! Knowing he’s probably slept with some of the most beautiful women in the world...and then me.”
“Allie, please,” Mara says. “If anything, that means he probably likes you a lot. He did chase you down on campus after all.”
Her words don’t reassure me much. I published the interview with Dane in our school paper, and my favorite profes
sor gave me extra credit for it. But since then, I haven’t heard from him.
“He obviously only did me a favor to get back in my panties,” I mutter.
Mara gives me an exasperated look. “Allie, you know I love you, but you can be so frustrating!”
I squint. “What?”
“I thought you wanted him to want you,” Mara replies.
“It’s complicated,” I say slowly, rolling the words in my mouth like rocks. “I do want him to want me. But, I think I want more.”
Mara raises an eyebrow. “More than a gorgeous rich guy chasing you around?”
I shake my head. “No. I don’t care about the rich part. I mean, money is nice. But look at my parents – they’re really well-off and they seem to hate each other.”
“So, what do you want?” Mara sounds perplexed.
“I want love,” I say softly. “I want the romance and happiness of falling in love with a man like Dane. An educated, charming, and sexy man.”
“You want the fairytale,” Mara replies.