With his feet apart, elbows on his thighs, he looked at me tenderly. “Babe, Crystal didn’t take the money. She is going ahead with the lawsuit. Matthew told me he handed her the check with both of our lawyers present, but she never cashed it. My lawyer called several days ago and I didn’t want to ruin our New Year’s Eve party. You have to believe me. I was going to tell you when the time was right.”

Max took another sip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to be in the middle of this; and I’m so sorry about what happened with the paparazzi. Crystal must have leaked the news. It’s the only explanation. My parents are not even aware of it. I was going to tell them after I told you.”

I knew Max was telling the truth; I could see it in his eyes. I knew how to read his eyes so well. Pushing away my pride, I decided to sit next to him and comfort him. “I’m sorry too, but you have to see it from my side as well.”

Nodding, Max took my hand and gingerly stroked it while he spoke. “Who told you? How did you find out?”

“I ran into Crystal at the restroom.”

Max arched his brows, looking stunned. “She was there? I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s stalking us. Don’t believe anything she says. She manipulates and lies to get her way.”

“I know,” I agreed.

“I’m going to hire a couple of security guards. I want them to watch your apartment, but not right in front; and two will be hired for our place. Don’t worry. Crystal is not the violent type. I’m doing this just in case the paparazzi decide to follow you home.” Max’s hands slipped through my hair, pulling me in for a kiss. I let him kiss me, but I couldn’t kiss back. I wasn’t mad at him, but it was just because of the situation. Before I could show affection in return, I needed to calm down.

“Let’s go to bed. It’s late,” Max said, holding my hand, and I obliged. New Year’s Eve didn’t turn out as I’d planned, but we were safe, healthy, and together, and that was all that mattered.

AS TIRED AS I was, I couldn’t sleep. Closing my eyes and trying to take deep breaths didn’t help, so I turned toward Jenna. She was sound asleep, looking like an angel. As I lay and watched her, I thought about how hot she looked in that black dress.

She didn’t flaunt herself the way most girls would have done. In fact, if Becky hadn’t pulled the shawl off her, I would’ve eventually. When we finally had alone time, I couldn’t help myself. I kissed her like there was no tomorrow, especially when I saw what the dress really looked like on her. I wouldn’t have been all over her the way I had been if there were people watching, but having the secluded area to ourselves made it that much easier.

Matt and I were offered two tickets each to go to a party where many celebrities attended every year. It would have been the perfect opportunity to introduce Jenna to some of my good friends, but I didn’t tell her about it, knowing she wanted to be with her friends. I had my reasons, but I had no idea why Matt decided to come along.

Becky and Matt looked pretty cozy during dinner. Knowing my brother and his record with women lately, I didn’t know if it was a good idea that he hung out with Becky, unless they were really just friends. Nevertheless, the way he’d been acting around her, my gut feeling told me he wanted more. I’d only hoped neither of them would get hurt in the end. If something bad were to happen between them, it would become extremely awkward for all of us. Perhaps I need to have a talk with him.

This whole incident made me wonder if I should have taken Jenna elsewhere, but I was relieved to get the topic of Crystal and the lawsuit out of the way. I didn’t know how she would react. I also didn’t want to ruin New Year’s Eve for either of us by causing a fight, though I didn’t know if there would be one.

If we ended up going to court, Crystal was sure to try to embarrass me by bringing up the games we had played. I was afraid Jenna would look at me differently. As much as I’d like to think Jenna loved me as much as I loved her, she had never said it to me. I know the word “love” is a huge thing to say to someone you’re dating, but I knew I meant it. It’s the reason why I could say it so easily. I’d never felt like this before, nor had I ever said it to anyone else I dated before; not even to Crystal, who happened to be my longest relationship. Why the f**k had I gone out with her?

Being successful, lonely, and especially young, I had all the time to play. That’s when Crystal entered my life. She was beautiful, available, and knew how to please a man in more ways than one. I blame it on stupidity and my wanting to experiment. After all, I was single and finding the perfect woman to have a future with was pretty much nonexistent…until Jenna came along. I knew when I laid eyes on her, she was my one in a million and I would do anything for her.

I continued to watch the beauty beside me, and she consumed me with her presence. As I watched her chest rise and fall with the rhythm of my own, I lightly brushed her arm to feel her warmth; to know she was really here, and I uttered the words I wanted her to hear and feel. “I love you, Jenna.”

I don’t know how long I’d watched her, but the peace I felt from doing so made my eyelids heavy, making me sleepy. “See you in my dreams, babe,” I mumbled as I fell into darkness.

23

MATTHEW PRACTICALLY DRAGGED ME to his car as I tried to escape his hold. He kept insisting he wasn’t going to let me go home with someone who was drunk or someone he didn’t know. He said he would never forgive himself if anything ever happened to me. Naturally, I thought of my former roommate and his dead fiancée.