“What are you thinking about, Mila?” Sally asked softly. “You look like you just found out someone died.”
“What if TJ falls in love with someone else? Marries her? What if TJ’s not the problem? What if it’s me? What if he just can’t fall in love with me because I’m not the one for him?
“Let’s see how tonight goes and then we should have a serious conversation. Neither of us can just stay in these positions. It’s not healthy for us.”
“I know.” I nodded. “I need to talk to TJ as well. Need to tell him some stuff. Need to just be free to accept whatever happens next. I don’t want to be living in this emotional turmoil anymore.”
“Yeah, it’s not healthy,” Sally agreed and we just stared at each other for a few moments, both of us wondering what it was going to take to get the other one to step off of the ledge.
***
“Well, don’t you two look pretty?” TJ walked over to me and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek as he got home. Then he walked over to Sally and gave her a hug. “Looks like I got home just in time.”
“Yeah, just in time to not cook anything.” I shook my head at him. “Lucky you.”
“Did you really want my help cooking?”
“No,” I laughed and he grinned down at me, his eyes glowing.
“I’m just going to go and change quickly,” he said with a laugh and walked towards the bedroom. “I’ll be back.”
“Okay,” I said and looked at Sally, who was smiling.
“Don’t miss me too much,” he said with another laugh and I shook my head at him.
“I’ll try not to.” I giggled and grabbed Sally’s hand. “Let’s go and get a drink. We deserve one.”
“I’m down for that,” she agreed and we headed towards the kitchen. “So, TJ seems like he is in a good mood.”
“Yeah, he does,” I agreed happily. “It’s been nice this last week.”
“That’s good.” She nodded. “How’s it been going with his business deal? Have you met many of the shareholders and partners? How’s his dad been?”
“To be honest, I haven’t really seen his dad or anyone else since that party.” I shrugged. “And every time I bring it up to TJ, he changes the subject.”
“That’s weird.”
“Yeah, it is.” I nodded and held up a bottle of wine in one hand and a bottle of vodka in the other. “What’s your poison?”
“I need liquid courage tonight.” Sally grinned. “I’ll have a vodka-Sprite.”
“I think I’ll have the same.” I laughed and put the bottle of wine down. “So yeah, I’m not really sure how it’s going.”
“Four weeks is going to be up soon, though.” Sally looked thoughtful. “I’m guessing that this arrangement is going to last longer, then?”
“We haven’t really discussed it.” I shrugged, but I knew that I was hopeful inside. I was hopeful that it would last forever. Well, not the engagement. I was hoping the engagement would last long enough to become real and then we’d get married.
“I guess nothing’s happening yet?” she said uncertainly. “What about work? Are your parents doing better?”
“I don’t think so.” I sighed. “And I know they don’t want to tell Nonno and worry him.”
“Are you going to tell him?”
“I don’t think so.” I shook my head. “That’s up to my parents.”
“Yeah, I guess so. But aren’t you majority owner?”
“I don’t really like bringing that up.” I bit down on my lower lip. “And it’s not like it means much until I’m thirty anyways. That’s when the shares vest.”
“That just means that’s when you can access the money. You still have all the rights as majority shareholder, Mila.” Sally pursed her lips. “Maybe you should ask TJ if he can give you some advice and help.”
“I don’t want to do that.” I shook my head. “It seems like it would be overstepping.”
“That’s not overstepping.” She sighed. “Maybe he can help.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“Any word on Barbie?” she asked casually and I shook my head.
“I have no care to ever hear her name again.” I made a face and handed Sally her drink before downing mine. “No care at all.”
“Yeah.” She laughed and downed her drink as well.
Ding dong.
“I guess Cody’s here,” I said as I put my drink down and walked towards the front door. “You going to be okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” Sally said as she took a deep breath. “God, I hope I don’t make a fool of myself.”
“You won’t.” I grinned at her. “I’ll make sure you don’t.” I winked at her and then continued on my way and opened the door. “Hey, bro,” I said and gave him a hug.
“Hey, you.” He kissed me on the cheek and surveyed my face. “You look happy.”
“I am happy.” I nodded and then noticed that there were two guys standing next to him. “Hi, I’m Mila,” I said as I stepped away from him.
“Oh, yeah, this is Brody and this is James,” Cody said as he nodded to his two handsome friends. “I hope you don’t mind that I invited them.”
“It’s no problem.” I smiled at him, but inside I was shouting. I hoped I had made enough food.
“Great,” he said and grinned at me. I saw his eyes searching inside the apartment and then he stopped when he saw Sally. “Hey, Sally, I was wondering if you were going to be here.”
“She’s my best friend, of course she was going to be here,” I said, answering for her. “Are there going to be any other surprise guests tonight?” I gave Cody a look and he looked confused.
“Like who?”
“Barbie?” I hissed.
“Oh, she’s got a boyfriend.” He shrugged. “I guess she’s dating some rich, older dude.”
“What?” I frowned. “Already?”
“I don’t know the story, but she had my watch and I wanted it back and, well, she said her ‘rich, older boyfriend’ wouldn’t appreciate me coming over to get it.”
“Okay.” I shook my head but didn’t continue the conversation. I didn’t want Sally to hear us talking about Barbie and be reminded of his dalliance.
“Hi, guys.” Sally did a sexy strut towards the four of us and I could see that all of the guys’ attention was on her and her long legs in the heels she was wearing.
“Hi, I’m Brody.” The tall, stocky blond guy stood forward and shook her hand.
“Hi, Brody.” Sally gave him a dazzling smile. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too, my dear, you too.” He was grinning at her and continued to stand close to her.
“And this is James.” Cody looked at Brody with an annoyed expression on his face.
“Nice to meet you, James.” Sally smiled at him as well and he gave her a soft smile before turning to me.
“Hi, I’m James,” he said, his big blue eyes sparkling as he gazed at me.
“Mila. Cody’s sister, if you didn’t figure that out yet.”
“You’re much prettier than him,” he said, and I laughed.
“That’s good to hear. Thank you.” I blushed as he continued to smile at me.
“You’re very welcome,” he said as he ran his hand through his short, wavy brown hair. “Thanks for having us.”
“You’re very welcome,” I said.
“He’s very welcome for what?” TJ’s voice came booming into the room.
“For Mila being so gracious as to have me over for dinner,” James spoke up, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Sorry, who are you?” TJ frowned as he gazed at James and then at Brody.
“TJ, this is Brody and this is James. They are in my baseball league. We were batting earlier and I figured they could come for dinner as well. The more the merrier, right?” Cody said nonchalantly and I could see TJ’s eyes narrowing at him. Hmm, I wonder what was going on there.
“Sure.” TJ shrugged and walked over to me and kissed me on the lips. “I hope you didn’t miss me too much.”
“I didn’t.” I smiled up at him and his eyes narrowed.
“That’s what you say now,” he said softly, then turned back around. “Okay, who wants a drink?”
“I thought you wouldn’t ask, bro.” Brody laughed and then looked at Sally. “What are you drinking tonight, beautiful?”
“I think I’m sticking with vodka-Sprites for now.” Sally beamed at him and I could see Cody frowning at their exchange.
“And what about you?” James looked at me. “Actually, let me guess.”
“Go on, then.” I smiled as we all walked farther into the apartment. TJ was standing to my left and James was standing to my right.
“I think you look like a white-wine girl. Am I right?” He stared into my eyes with a teasing expression and I laughed.
“Actually tonight I’m drinking vodka as well.” I smiled back at him and I felt TJ’s hand on my arm.