"I have plans with Trey."
"I could have plans with Trey." She winked at me. "Believe me, by the end of the night that boy will forget you even exist."
"Oh my goodness." I covered my ears. "I don't want to hear it."
She laughed for a moment before all traces of humor were gone from her face. "I'm serious Liv, you need to let Trey know you have feelings for someone else. Someone he can't compete with."
"I thought I had." I frowned. "I even left with Jace yesterday."
"Look, I still don't like Jace, but it's obvious you do." She sighed. "I have no idea what you see in him, but I know you, well enough, to know you are not irrational in regard to the men you choose to allow into your life. If you feel something for Jace, there is a reason. I think you should follow your gut...or, your heart." She scrunched her nose. "Whatever that saying is."
I laughed. Trisha was the worst person in the world to hand out advice. She did what she wanted regardless of the consequences. The fact that she was offering me her advice, and it was to take a chance with Jace, should have me doing the exact opposite. But, it didn't. It had me itching to dial the number I programed into my phone after Jace called me today. I wanted to, so badly...and I knew if he had asked me to dinner like a normal person, I would have gone. But, he hadn't. He demanded I be ready, and at his disposal, and I couldn't allow him to believe he had control over me. I couldn't.
"Look, I will let you flirt with Trey and, all that, tonight...but, I really can't call Jace." I spoke softly, hoping she didn't demand an explanation, because I simply, couldn't give her one.
Trisha stared at me for a long moment before finally nodding. "Fine. But, you need to figure out what you are going to do with Jace. You have a choice to make. And, if you want him in your life, you better make it quick. Men like Jace Rush don't wait around for long."
My stomach flipped at the thought of Jace simply losing interest in me, but then maybe that would be for the best. "I'll think about it tonight."
The door buzzer rang and Trisha flashed a wide smile. "Come on, Liv. The night is young and the possibilities are endless."
I weaved my arm thought Trisha's as we made our way to the ground floor where Trey was undoubtedly waiting. I tried to ignore the hopeful butterflies that swarmed my stomach at the possibility that maybe it was not Trey...but Jace. If it was, I knew I would be all kinds of helpless against his charms. I would, undoubtedly, allow him to fly me away, with no questions asked.
Trey grinned at us as we walked toward him. I thought there would be confusion in his eyes when he realized Trisha was joining us, but there was not. Instead, he looked almost relieved.
"Hey," he breathed. His eyes moved over Trisha, and then, over me. "The taxi is waiting."
I nodded and smiled as Trisha slid her arm into Treys, leading him to the door. "Let's be on our way, then."
I followed close behind them and slid into the taxi next to Trisha who was cuddled, as close as she could get to Trey in the backseat. He didn't seem bothered by her sudden affections in the least and I couldn't help but wonder, if maybe, Jace or Gabe had sunken their fangs into Trey.
"So, are we still going to the same place?" I asked, leaning over Trisha to see Trey.
"Uh, yeah." He nodded.
I couldn't help but frown. Trey was acting weird and I didn't like it, but I was not about to badger him for an explanation. I focused out the window, trying to forget about Trisha's incessant flirting.
The taxi pulled up outside a little Italian restaurant that had a patio stretched out on the sidewalk. It was a quaint restaurant I couldn't picture Jace ever dining at. He was too extreme...in everything he did. A place like this, surely, wouldn't appeal to him, but even though my logic was nearly perfect, I still felt as though I was about to turn around and look into his captivating, cobalt eyes. The thought made me shiver.
"Are you cold?" A deep voice asked against my ear. Holy shit! He's here! I couldn't force myself to turn around and face him. My stomach was flipping like a fish out of water. My fingers trembled as I toyed nervously with the hem of my dress. Why was he here? "After extensive hounding on my part, Trey told me where you were going to be tonight."
That rat! "He did?"
"Yes." Jace hadn't moved from his position behind me and I hadn't moved to face him. My eyes were focused on the retreating backs of my dates.
"What are you doing here?" I breathed.
"I came to take you to dinner." Jace said roughly. "It would have been so much easier if you would have just allowed me to pick you up at home, but I don't mind the chase." He purred in my ear. "Actually, I like the chase."