Page 55 of His Obsession
I rolled my eyes. “Not helpful. Explain.”
“I’m living in luxury, I don’t want to pay to extend my luxury on a ship surrounded by a bunch of drunk, boisterous people that should fall off the boat. I’d rather be camping where I can be alone with nature and not put up with people like I do every day.” Did that mean he didn’t like being around me or didn’t like the monotonous day-to-day interactions with everyday people? The way he was acting here, it appeared he didn’t want to be around me. He glanced at his watch and then at the door.
“She’s always late, sorry.” I knew Alek liked punctuality—it was vital.
“I know.” He popped a crispy ring in his mouth and chewed.
"Is there anything that you don't know?" I asked, cocking my head. There wasn't much I could tell him that he didn't already know. Unless "I know" is his go-to answer. My foster parents used to get upset when I would say it; they would yell, ‘just say yes.’
"Not really," he said, then sipped his scotch.
Lucy walked through the door in a sleeveless claret-red dress that went to her knees, and as I sat rigid in my chair, I felt under-dressed.
Alek and I were going to the club after this, so I dressed casually. I had on a blue strapless shirt that collared around the neck, with jeggings and flats.
Walking behind Lucy was her mystery man. I couldn’t catch sight of his face, just that he was tall, well built, and… he turned his head and looked at me. My jaw went slack, and I tried to pick it up from the table. I swung my gaze to Alek as he tried to hide the grin behind his hand.
“You knew?” I accused. I couldn’t be more disgusted than I was at this moment.
“I told you there isn’t much I don’t know,” he bragged.
I was not okay with this. I didn’t want my friend involved in this world, this life, this chaos. I left my home to protect her, andhebrought her into it. I sucked in a deep breath and blew it out, trying to calm my anger and sadness.
I leaned over the table, whispering to Alek. “I’m not okay with this.”
He leaned in to meet me. “I don’t care.”
“Hey, fucker,” Lucy said, too loud for the restaurant, her arms outstretched for a hug. I jumped from my seat and wrapped my arms around her waist, fake enthusiasm coursing through my skin. Even though I was excited to see her, I wasn’t excited about the man she was with.
“Hi Lucy, I see you know Jake?”
Her eyes widened, surprised I knew him. “You know Jake?” she squealed.
She took her seat while I glared daggers at Jake—what an asshole.
“Yep, he’s my instructor,” I told her a half-truth. The less she knew, the better for her. I was such a hypocrite,God, strike me down now!
“Instructor for what?” Lucy’s brows furrowed; she evidently knew nothing about Jake.
Jake spoke up. “I am teaching her some computer things.” He glared, and I watched his fingerstap, tap, tap,on the table. Was he nervous? I didn’t think I’d ever seen him nervous. He must not have been honest with Lucy about his intentions or how he knew me. I didn’t want him to look like the good guy because he wasn’t the good guy.
“Yeah, I guess I should have said teacher. I needed to brush up on my computer skills for work. One of my coworkers recommended him,” I rambled. Someone, please stop me from talking, I was going to make a fool of myself.
Dinner was excruciating. I had to keep catching myself before I would say something I know I shouldn’t. I came so close to mentioning Jake’s ridiculous IT shirts, him being at my office, and his erratic psycho driving. I had to keep bringing my wine to my lips to shut them up, refilling the glass multiple times. The buzz hit my brain at full-tilt, and I was uncomfortably giddy. Senseless laughter would break from my lips, louder than it should have been. Alek refused to look at me, and I forced myself not to glare at Jake.
I shoveled in my last fork-full of lobster pasta when a man spoke, a voice I hadn’t heard in over a year, one I detested.
“Liz, I haven’t seen you in forever. How are you?”
Standing before me in the most hideous green shirt and jeans was Toby, my previous boss. On his arm was a woman in white pants, a size too small, and a gray shirt. Her pudgy belly was hanging over her waistband… Dorothy.
Who the fuck wore white pants?
“Hi, Toby. I’m just fine.” Not asking how he was. I didn’t care. I didn’t want to know. It repulsed me that he thought he could speak to me as if nothing had occurred.
“Oh shit, you are the girl that put out to get promoted! Tell me,” Lucy started in, “Did you change positions for how many titles he gave you, or did he just keep you on your back?” Lucy had a smug smile on her face—she was mightily proud of her exchange, and so was I.
I couldn’t help but slap my hand over my mouth to contain the sudden burst of laughter. Toby’s eyes darted back and forth as if he expected someone to stick up for him. Perspiration broke out on his brow, and he wiped it with the back of his hand. Dorothy’s mouth gaped like a slimy fish out of the water, gasping for air. This was just another reason to the list of many reasons why I loved Lucy, and why she was my friend.