Haze, Andrea Wolfe [english novels for beginners txt] 📗

onto her fork, the movie cliché brought to life. I had always been jealous of people who could do that. Thankfully, Jesse was less adroit with pasta, so I didn't feel so out of place.

"You guys are gonna be rich," I said proudly. "Banker and a brain surgeon."

"Yeah, after we get all the student loan debt paid off." Jesse shrugged and grabbed another piece of garlic bread. He'd already eaten most of it himself. "How's your job been, Effie?"

"I like it, I guess," I said sheepishly. Part of me wanted to admit everything that had happened today, but I didn't want to be a downer. They both looked up from their plates—I guess I hadn't been subtle enough. Apparently, I was wearing a billboard on my back that said Hey, I'm having a bad day so please ask me about it.

"Did something happen today?" Jesse asked.

I groaned. "I don't want to bore you guys. We're having such a nice dinner."

"Tell us!" Laura seemed genuinely interested in my troubles, something I hadn't expected in the least.

"It's Sam again," I said. "He's mad at me about the Jack Teller thing, even though he doesn't know anything about what's going on. He just suspects something is up." I took a bite of pasta, hoping that it would give them a chance to talk, but they didn't. They were both waiting for me. "He got really mean with me today, and it made me feel like shit."

"Wait, what's this about Jack Teller?" Laura was literally on the edge of her seat after scooting toward me.

"We're kind of dating, I guess."

"Jesse, why didn't you tell me? Jack Teller is awesome—and super hot."

I blushed as I awkwardly waited for Jesse to say something and fill the void of silence. "I thought I told you before!"

"No way." Laura sipped her wine, taking a break from eating. "I would have definitely remembered that." I wasn't entirely sure what I was witnessing.

"I can't believe you're still seeing him," Jesse said. "I didn't think it would last."

I was somewhat shocked that he was saying that—well, until I remembered that I hadn't even told him about the gifts thing. I guess I hadn't been around much, and he had warned me to be careful initially. "Why is that?" I asked defensively.

"You know why. He's a rich bachelor."

"Wait, wait. If this is true, it's crazy!" Laura seemed awestruck by everything. "I loved his songs. They helped me get through undergrad. A friend found one ages ago on Napster, and we were hooked after that."

"Dammit," I said. "I need to fill you in on this." I also kind of wished that I knew about Jack's songs. There was so much time available for that in the future, however...

I told them both about the first night—omitting certain salacious details of course—and then how Jack had pursued me with an endless stream of gifts until I gave him another chance. Laura seemed to really enjoy that part, staring at Jesse like she hoped he’d get the hint. And then I got to the Broadway show and the Timothy incident, which I downplayed as much as possible.

They both seemed blown away by the absurd week that I'd just put behind me. Hell, it wasn't even a full week, and still, it was awesome.

"You think he's going to be loyal to you? I told you that I've seen what those guys are capable of." Jesse's words stung a little, but I maintained my composure.

"You know, we've talked about it. And I'm not worried," I said bravely. "I don't want to focus on that part since I'm calling it a non-issue right now." Laura smiled as I said it.

Jesse nodded and then continued to the next line of business. "So Sam thinks you're fucking up his chances at a deal?" Jesse was now donning his business hat, the hat that seemed more appropriate for signing contracts than giving advice.

"I guess," I said weakly.

"Do you want your job or do you want Jack?" Jesse's tone led me to believe that I was legitimately being interrogated. If I had smelled cigarette smoke and coffee, it wouldn't have felt out of place at all.

"Why can't I have both? I want both." I felt super exposed, but it was of my own doing entirely. There was a tiny bit of red wine left, so I poured it in my glass and eagerly took a sip.

"A job's a job," Laura said. "If you like Jack, then you should stay with him. Sam sounds like a creep."

"But you moved here to make it on your own. That means something." Jesse seemed to be unhappy with Laura's encouragement. Based on the hours he put in every damn week, I knew he valued hard work presumably more than anything else. At least he was being consistent.

Honestly, I felt like I had one of those cartoon devils on one shoulder and an angel on the other. I was still just as confused as I had been when I began, maybe even more so now. The thought of a career based on my own hard work felt good, but then again, so did a relationship with Jack.

They were drastically different scenarios. Just because something felt good didn't mean you could compare it to other things that felt good. I couldn't help vacillating.

"But these two things aren't mutually exclusive," I pleaded. "Jack doesn't have to sign with MCI. It's his choice. We don't even talk about it." It seemed like perfectly sound logic to me, like it was the loophole that would save me in the end.

"He's in a bad position," Jesse said firmly.

"Who? And why?"

"Sam. Well, you kind of are, too."

"Why do you have to be so dramatic, Jesse? She's having a hard time with a hard decision." Laura stood up and walked to the bathroom, leaving the two of us there.

Jesse paused, seeming to catch himself. "Do you want me to continue, Effie? I'm sorry. I forget where I am and get carried away sometimes."

More than anything,