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

as a dismissal, but because I didn't know where to go with the information.

"He was probably just trying to get you to feel sympathetic for him. To make you feel bad or something. To take it out on someone else so he doesn't have to face the facts. His deal sucked. Period."

"Is MCI doing badly as a company?" It seemed like a good question.

"Not too bad. Not great either. Most labels aren't. That's why they want someone like Lexy on their rosters. I say fuck 'em all. Independent is the only way to do it right now with something this hot."

Well, that made sense. "So what do I do?"

"With what? This isn't your problem. Relax. Chill out." He tapped his fingers together as he talked.

"What about that Dan guy? The jerk at the party?"

"He probably doesn't even work for MCI. I wouldn't worry about him. He acted like an asshole. Deserved everything he got."

Jack was right about that. But I didn't have to see Dan every day, or ever. "Sam's always on my ass about stuff. And he's stressed out all the time, ever since I first met you."

"If Sam's being ridiculous, tell him to go to hell."

I was starting to feel flustered. "I can't do that every day, Jack. He's my boss!"

Jack slowed down after my heated retort. "Okay, I'm sorry," he said, "I know this means a lot to you, so I shouldn't be so dismissive of it. The more important thing is that it's out of your control, always has been. You can't do anything to improve it."

"Yeah," I mumbled, adding nothing to the discussion.

He wrapped his arm around me and kissed the top of my head. "Effie, you'll be fine. You have to trust me."

His words felt good, but hollow, only hollow because that's the way they felt to me at face value. He was a man of his word for sure, someone who followed through and did the right thing. But it wasn't enough for me at that moment, not yet.

"What does that mean, Jack? That I have to trust you?"

"Everything will work out. This is worrying you far too much for your own good. I'm happier than ever right now with you. I couldn't think of a better place to be. I've got nothing to complain about."

My eyes welled up with tears, his words like a full body caress. Who was I kidding? I felt incredible whenever I was with Jack. Even the worst situation could be something beautiful when he was around. I took a deep breath, and with my lowered defenses came calm. Things were moving so fast, but I couldn't think of any better speed than that. I think I wanted to say I love you, but my lips wouldn't move.

Or maybe I was afraid of the possibility.

"Me too," I said. I meant it.

I fell asleep with his arms around me, dozing off in that comfortable place in the sky.

***

The rest of the plane ride was uneventful since I slept through almost all of it. My body, coping with a combination of jet lag, a hangover, and stress from my situation, just aborted consciousness. I couldn't resist.

After landing, Jack took me home and told me to take some time to relax and think about things on my own. "You need some time to let everything sink in. Don't sweat it. Try to accept the worst possible scenario. It's usually not as bad as you think it is."

It sounded like he had been reading self-help books. The advice was solid, nevertheless.

"Easy for you to say, Mr. Millionaire. Dividends probably pay your rent."

Jack laughed, giving me that engaging grin. "I know a lot of formerly rich people who have nothing now. Spending can be like a disease, even with dividends."

"I'll watch out," I said.

He pulled me toward him, possessing my mouth with his tongue. It was both tender and passionate, and I mirrored the intensity. When the kiss broke, I hugged him, our bodies staying like that for a few minutes. Percy didn't care since Jack was obviously covering the bill.

"So I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked.

"Of course. You need to rest and let the dust settle in your mind."

I grabbed my bag and hobbled toward the open door, immediately wondering what I should say now. "Thanks, Jack. For a great time." I kept it simple.

"You're the one that made it fun. It would have been boring otherwise. Thank you for coming."

He cradled my hand with his own and then I climbed out to the sidewalk. When I got to the stoop, I heard him yell my name. Was he about to say it?

I left my bag there and walked back to the limo. "Yeah?"

"You forgot your phone. It fell out of your purse when you stood up."

I let out a cackle, but he probably didn't know why. "Thanks, Jack. You're the best."

He grinned and then lightly closed the door.

The limo drove away as I stood immobile, silently pondering my unique situation and the upcoming future.

Jesse was inside waiting for me, immediately curious after noticing the limo in the street. "Another fun weekend, huh?" He was sitting at the kitchen table with papers strewn about. I grabbed a chair after setting down my bags in the hallway.

"I guess you could say that," I remarked quietly. "We went to—" I paused, feeling bad after realizing I hadn't even had the courtesy to tell him where we had ended up after running into him right before I left. "L.A.," I said, my voice almost a whisper.

"You were in California all weekend? Why didn't you bring me along?" It was obvious he was kidding, but I was somewhere else entirely and not about to return to normality anytime soon.

"I'm so sorry," I said, ignoring his joke and instead pursuing my apology. "Jack just asked me to go on a weekend trip and I said yes and then we were on his private jet and—"

Jesse put his hand on my shoulder and interrupted me. "Effie, I