Chapter 193: Chapter Thirty-One

Priscilla

Was it wrong to think of Jaymeson and only Jaymeson while I watched Smith order the exact same beer and sit in the exact same spot we had just three days before?

Not one to mess with destiny, I ordered fish and chips. Again.

“So what are your plans tonight?” I casually took a sip of water as Smith cleared his throat and broke eye contact.

“Grandma.” He nodded. “Helping her walk the dog.”

I laughed. “That's sweet.”

“Well.” He shrugged in an aw-shucks way and reached for my hand. “She's adorable and we usually spend one night a week hanging out.”

Okay, so he took his grandma's dog on a walk for her? And voluntarily spent time with her? He earned extra points for that.

His face fell.

“What?” I squeezed his hand. “What is it?”

“Nothing.” He laced his fingers in mine. “I just wish I was hanging out with you, that's all.”

“Well, why don't we hang out afterwards?”

“There's an idea.” He smiled. “How about I text you when I'm done with her?”

I nodded and released his hand as the food was brought to our table. I was just about ready to grab a fry when Smith started choking.

“Are you okay?” I reached for him, but he jerked away and stood, still coughing.

“Asshole!” a feminine voice all but shouted, gaining attention from other patrons of the restaurant. “What do we have here?”

It was the girl from the first night we'd gone on a date. The famous one. Angelica, I think.

“Hi,” I said cheerfully.

“You poor thing. I almost feel sorry for you.” The way she said it wasn't mean. It was almost like she pitied me and wanted to rescue me at the same time.

“Make your choice.”

“But—”

Angelica released my hand and smacked him on the shoulder. “I won't ask again. Either we make this work or I walk.”

“Make this work?” I repeated, my mind unable to figure out what the heck was going on.

And then Jaymeson ran into the restaurant nearly colliding with a waitress as he made his way over to our table. “Bloody hell.”

“You did this!” Smith reached around Angelica trying to grab Jaymeson.

He took a step back and sneered. “You did this to yourself!”

“Let's go, Pris.” Smith reached for my hand but I jerked back. Horrified by what was taking place. Could I trust anyone?

“She doesn't want you!” Jaymeson shouted. “Just leave her alone. Haven't you done enough?”

“Me?” Smith's eyes widened.

“Stop.” Angelica held up her hands. “Damn, I've never been accused of being the voice of reason.” She turned to me.

“Look, local girl, I'm Smith's ex, and we've been dating on and off for eight months. We were going to meet tonight since I was back in town meeting my counselor for the weekend.

“This guy…” She pointed to Jaymeson. ”…panicked, and called me because the idiot I used to call my boyfriend let it slip about who I was. And… yeah, I think you're all caught up.”

I was so embarrassed I almost couldn't speak. Jaymeson had rejected me, Smith was basically occupying himself with me until Angelica was back, and that left me.

Alone.

And ashamed.

And feeling like a fool.

“Excuse me.” I stood, grabbed my purse, and walked to the bathroom, locking myself inside. Tears poured down my face as I tried to catch my breath, but it felt like my chest was going to explode.

“Pris!” Jaymeson knocked. “Pris, I know you're in there. Come out, love, we need to talk. We should talk.”

“Give me a minute.”

“Fine, but if you don't come out I'm just going to stalk you.”

“Jamie Hudson Jaymeson!” a voice shouted. “Get your ass over here and say thank you.”

I froze.

Jamie Hudson Jaymeson?

Jamie Hudson?

Oh no, no, no, no, no. With shaking hands I pulled out my phone and looked at my instant messages.

Jamie Hudson.

LA.

Movie Industry.

Feeling like I was going to be sick, I leaned over the sink and gripped it with my hands.

“I'm back,” Jaymeson said softly. “I'm not leaving until you come out.”

He wanted me to come out?

Fine.

Me

Rough day.

I wanted to swear. No wonder he always knew where I was, and what I was doing. It was almost like he could read my mind.

Jamie Hudson

Aw, babe what happened?

I pulled open the door and glared.

“Pris, I can explain—”

“Go to hell, Jaymeson.”

****

Her cowboy boots slammed against the wood floor as she walked out of the restaurant, away from me, away from the fake me.

Leaving me with nothing.

“Ouch.” Angelica whistled. “What did you do? Try to take her pants off?”

“No.” My voice broke. “I lied.”

“Was it a big lie?” Angelica asked curiously. I noticed that Smith was nowhere to be seen.

“Huge.”

“Want a beer?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I want a do-over.”

Angelica's face fell. “Jay, I'm not Dr. Phil, but maybe you should go after her, try to explain why you did what you did.”

“That's just it.” I sighed. “I did it out of purely selfish reasons — and I can't even feel sorry, because lying to her was the best time I've had with a girl.

Angelica's hand moved to my shoulder. “Not to be a smart ass, but looks to me like she treated you pretty normal when she stormed out of here.”

I gave her a small smile. “Thanks, Ang.”

“Yeah, well…” She rolled her eyes. “New leaf.”

“I like this leaf.”

Her smile was warm. “I do too.”

With a sigh I stared at the door. “What do I do now?”

“It's called apologizing. Men often engage in such activities after they've stuck their own foot in their mouths.”

“Great. And just how do I go about doing… that?”

“Truth.” Ang slapped my back. “Always the way to go.”

“And if she doesn't listen?”

She held up her hand. “That part I do know. You kiss her.”

“I kiss her even when she's mad?”

“You may get slapped.” She shrugged. “But it will be worth it.”

“Alright.” I stared at the door. “I'm going into the lion's den.”

“Go get ’em, England.”

I made it as far as the door before turning around. “Where did Smith go?”

“He made a grand exit.” Angelica's face lit up with humor. “And I flipped him off when his back was turned.”

“Dysfunctional.”

“Always.” She winked. “Now go get your woman.”

I saluted and ran to my car.