Page 40 of Completely Captivated
“Jen, normally, I love your family.But the last thing I want is to be around a bunch of people.That’s why I haven’t been to the café—I can’t even think about pretending to like anyone right now.Especially happy people.”
“And maybe part of you wants to wait here to see if he comes back for you?”
Tears slid down her cheeks as Jen’s question hit its mark.“Maybe.But maybe I just want to lie here and die, alone and peacefully.”
“You know I can’t allow that.Don’t make me call in backup to get you out of the bed.Jared can be here in an instant if I need him.”
Christa groaned and threw her forearm over her eyes.“You know, I don’t even care if he sees me looking like an old hag.I’d tell him the same thing.I just want to be left alone.”
“I can understand that, but your solitude is reaching unhealthy levels.How long has it been since you showered?Because you stink.Bad.”
Despite her best efforts to refrain, Christa started to laugh along with Jen.“I hate you.”
“You love me, and you know it.Now get up, shower, and let’s go to my parents’ house for an evening of good, old-fashioned Miller torture tactics.”
“Fine.I’ll go with you for a little while.But I’m only agreeing because I know you’ll bring them all over here if I don’t.”
“That was going to be a surprise.”
“You’re the worst friend ever.”Christa tried to hide a small smile as she swung her legs over the side of the bed.
“And shave your legs.You just shredded your one-thousand-thread-count sheets with those barbs.”Jen heard Christa laugh out loud after she closed the bathroom door.
Christa smelled the aroma of the food cooking the moment she stepped inside Patti and Ethan’s house.She’d barely eaten in days and had passed the point of hunger pangs, and instead, fought the waves of nausea that made her stomach roil.
Ethan approached her first and hugged her, the same as always.“How’s my favorite daughter?”
“Thanks a lot, Dad,” Jen feigned offense.
“Uh-oh.I forgot you were here.”Ethan grabbed Jen and pulled her into his empty arm.“How’s my other favorite daughter?”
“Sure, now you remember me.Is dinner ready yet, Mom?”Jen smiled at her dad as she called out to Patti.
“Almost.You girls come set the table.The boys are on the deck making homemade ice cream.”
Jen and Christa joined Patti in the kitchen.“It takes all three of them to make ice cream?”
“We heard that.”Jared stood at the sliding glass door, the wicked smile across his handsome face silently threatening his little sister.Then his smile faded when Christa stepped out from behind her, moving around the table with the plates and forks.“You’re lucky you brought company, or you’d have to pay for that disparaging remark right now.”
“Hi, Jared.”Christa gave him a small smile.But it lacked the warmth he’d always seen in her.
Jen had already filled Jared in on what had happened, at least from how Allie explained the events unfolded.But he wanted to get Christa alone to get the full story firsthand, to help her through it, to comfort her as best he could.
“Hi, sweetheart.Don’t I get a hug?”
“Of course.”She stepped into his arms and nearly broke down sobbing in front of everyone from just the warmth of his embrace.
Conversation over dinner was purposely kept lighthearted and self-deprecating by Jared, Jessie, and Josh.When they’d finished eating, Ethan dipped the ice cream out for everyone and delivered it to them in the media room.When they’d settled in, Christa found she felt a little better from the comfort of company, until Aaron’s picture filled the screen from the local news station.
But he wasn’t alone.A beautiful model was draped around him in an intimate embrace.
“You may recognize Aaron Rivers of Rivers Forte, San Francisco’s leading talent agency.Aaron has just secured the largest account in California, for a fashion line that’s quickly becoming a household name.You are looking at the new face of Kylie Rae Ramano.Her name is Daria Volodina, and she has just become the most envied woman in the world.
“Not only has she just signed a seven-figure deal with Kylie Rae Ramano fashions, but it appears she’s snagged one of San Francisco’s most eligible bachelors…and its most notorious playboy.Neither has confirmed a relationship, but if Aaron’s past relationships are any indication, Daria will be on his arm for many red carpet events.”
“Excuse me.”Christa quickly stood and rushed out of the room.
When Jared heard the front door slam, he jumped up to run after her.
