Trey smirked. "Adam told me you only had eyes for Ari last weekend when you guys had lunch with Jasmine's friends. He thinks there's something between the two of you."
"There isn't. Apart from some lust," he insisted.
"So what's the problem with testing her then?"
"I told you already. There's no need. I'm not interested in Ari besides the sex," he said heatedly.
"Okay. The problem is I don't believe that," Trey stated.
He rolled his eyes in frustration. How the hell would he get Trey off Ari's back?
CHAPTER EIGHT
Ari groaned as her too-bright bathroom caused her head to pound harder. She mentally added 'buy dark curtains for bathroom window' in her to-do list. She grabbed the sink for support as she trundled to the toilet.
What a time to have a migraine. Today was her last day at Eros and she wouldn't be there for the design team's big farewell lunch. Fortunately, her manager had been sympathetic when she called in sick.
She was going to miss her workmates, and what was more, she was going to miss having a job to go to. By the end of the day, she would officially join the ranks of the unemployed.
After two weeks of desperate searching even for lower paid positions, she hadn't had any luck. She hadn't even been offered a single interview. Her impeccable reputation in the industry was now her biggest drawback. She was overqualified for the vacant positions that were available.
She finished peeing and tried to fight off her nausea as she washed her hands.
As she crawled back to her bed, she forced herself to relax. She only had occasional migraines, but when she got them, it was almost debilitating. They were usually from extreme stress, and lately she was having a hell of a time of it—what with worrying about Kenny and how she would afford her bills and...not hearing from Dylan.
She left a message in his voicemail three days ago to see if he wanted to get together at her place. Heck, asking guys out wasn't something that came naturally to her, but she reasoned Dylan could be waiting for her to make the next move. He hadn't contacted her since they'd had lunch at Eiko's with Trey.
Well, obviously, he just didn't want to have anything to do with her anymore. He hadn't called back.
She didn't know what had gone wrong. Wasn't he the one who'd suggested the "friends with benefits" arrangement? Had he met a new "friend" who gave better benefits?
She let out a small whine and pressed her hand against her temple as the throbbing in her head increased. She only had herself to blame. She should have known she was someone who could only sleep with a guy if she really liked him—yet she went and had casual sex with Dylan not just on one night, but two. Now she hurt at the thought that he was done with her.
No job. No Dylan. Little wonder her once-in-a-blue-moon migraine had flared up.
She moaned in agony as her phone rang. Keeping her eyes shut, she groped for it on her bedside table. She opened an eye to peep at the screen. It was Jasmine.
"Hey, Jaz," she answered miserably.
"Gosh, Ari, are you okay?"
"Migraine."
"Oh, I'm sorry. You're at home, I take it?"
"Uh-huh."
"You sound terrible," Jasmine said sympathetically. "Why don't I go over there and give you a hand with whatever you need?"
"No, I'll be fine, thanks. I just need to stay in bed until it passes. What's up?"
"I was calling to see if you're available for dinner tomorrow night? But if you're not feeling well, we could do it some other time."
"Oh, I'll be fine by tomorrow night. This darn migraine should be gone by this afternoon."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, positive," she assured Jasmine.
"Well, Kane's mum invited us over to her place because she wants to talk to you about making her an outfit for both Faye's and my weddings. Apparently she's had a look around, but hasn't found anything special enough for her liking."
Ari felt the zing of excitement in spite of her pounding head. "Wow. She hasn't even met me yet."
Jasmine chuckled. "She's seen me in a couple of your designs. Plus of course, I've talked you up."
"Thanks, Jaz. If I didn't have this blasted migraine, I'd sound more enthusiastic."
"Oh, Ari. Do you want me to come over? I have some time."
"No, thank you. I'll get better quicker if I lock myself in my room in peace and darkness."
"In that case, I'll let you go. I'll text you Kane's parents' address. Can you get there by six-thirty?"
"Yes. I'll be there, bright and chirpy."
As she ended the call with Jasmine, Ari remembered an important fact. Kane's mother was also Dylan's mother. Ah, damn.
*******
"Hello, Mrs. Summers, it's lovely to meet you," Ari said to the smiling woman who greeted her at the door. She could see why Dylan and all his siblings had turned out so good-looking. Their mother was beautiful.