Chapter 176: Chapter Fourteen

Priscilla

Jaymeson refused to let me pay even when I offered. Then he said something about how the least he could do is pay for my lunch… as a friend.

I swear he said the word like an expletive.

As if it was poison he needed to eradicate from his body.

I only hoped it was the word, not the meaning behind it. A guy like him would never be interested in a relationship. It seemed the only smart thing to do was to let him know where I stood.

I could be a friend. Friend meant safe. Friend meant I could date and not think about him anymore.

Besides, he apologized.

Which meant, he was successfully off my radar as a romantic interest. It was only the hurt feelings that kept my brain mulling over our kiss on the beach and his rejection of me.

That was it.

“Pris…” Jaymeson stood. “I'm going to use the restroom then I guess we should go back to the boxes?”

“Sure.” I offered a smile and shoved another fry into my mouth.

He knocked on the table and walked off toward the restrooms. I had to keep myself from laughing. It sounded stupid, but I mean, celebrities? They were just like everyone else.

Sure they were mega-talented and good-looking. But they still had to use the bathroom, they still got food stuck in their teeth, which Jaymeson would totally discover once he went to the bathroom.

That had been my payback.

I laughed again as my cell went off.

My dad had sent a text.

Dad

How you holdi”nup?

Me

Great.

I was totally lying but I didn't want him to know — not yet. He'd been under so much stress lately, and I wanted to see if I could take care of things first.

Jamie Hudson

What'cha doi”n

Me

Finishing lunch.

Jamie Hudson

Ooh, what did you have? I'm a huge foodie. Tell me. Every. Detail.

Me

Fish and Chips, but I TRIED BEER!

Jamie Hudson

Naughty girl. I should call your parents.

Me

You don't know them. Not a solid threat.

Jamie Hudson

The police?

Me

The chief goes to our church.

Jamie Hudson

I'm fresh out of ideas.

Me

It tasted good.

Jamie Hudson

Of course it did. It's alcohol.

Me

Very funny.

Jamie Hudson

☺ I thought so.

Me

What are you doing?

Jamie Hudson

I just got done eating and now I'm getting ready for work.

Me

Oh yeah? What do you do? I mean, other than surf.

Jamie Hudson

You mean what do I do other than talk to a beautiful girl I've never met?

I felt my cheeks heat.

Me

Yeah.

Jamie Hudson

I work in the film industry.

Me

Doing what?

He didn't respond right away. I waited for his message for a few seconds before almost clicking out of Messenger.

Jamie Hudson

Sorry, dog was barking, things like that distract me. Um, I've done some directing and screen writing.

Me

Like writing scripts?

Jamie Hudson

It's fun.

Me

Have you written anything I've ever seen?

Jamie Hudson

I sure hope so! Sorry, gotta run, work calls! See you later, sweetheart.

“Ready?” Jaymeson said, snapping me out of my smiley gaze. I dropped the phone onto the table.

“Yeah.”

“Who was that?” he asked curiously, dipping his hands into his pockets.

“No one.” I licked my lips.

Jaymeson rolled his eyes. “Right, and I'm not famous.”

“Ha ha.”

“No, seriously.” He scooted our chairs in and placed his hand on the small of my back as he led me out of the restaurant. “We're friends now, friends share with friends.

“I mean, I don't want you to paint my fingernails or put makeup on me or anything, but you can discuss guys with me. I do happen to be one.”

“No way!” I snapped my fingers. “I had no idea.”

“Don't make me take my pants off.”

“Feeling threatened?” My eyebrows arched as I crossed my arms and waited for his answer.

He took a step toward me, towering over my body. “Never.”

“Oh yeah? Why's that?”

“Easy.” He stepped away and winked. “I've seen myself naked. Oh, and I'm awesome.”

“Cocky.”

“Only when I need to be.” He grinned.

“I feel like there's a hidden perverted meaning there and I'm going to choose to ignore it so your face doesn't end up on the opposite end of my palm.”

“Wow.” He looked both ways then raced with me across the street. “I didn't get slapped, but I could have sworn I just felt it.”

“I'm magic.”

Jaymeson stopped. His hair fell over his eye, making me itch to push it back, you know, to help him, um… see better.

“That, I believe.” He opened the door to the church and let me go in first. For being such a whore, he really did have amazing manners.

“So, boxes.” We both faced the tower of boxes we had left to do. “Tell you what…” He turned to me. “Every box I finish, you have to tell me details about lover boy.”

“Lover boy? Are you ten?”

“Deal or no deal?”

“Deal.” I rolled my eyes. “At least it will keep things interesting, and since you are a guy, you can give me really good advice on how to not be boring.”

Jaymeson froze then dropped the box onto the floor and turned around to face me. “Don't ever call yourself that. Rule number one, if a guy says you're boring he's a jackass.

“If every fiber of his being isn't focused on you — especially when you first start dating — you run. You don't make excuses for his inability to pay attention. You don't put yourself down.

“You run, and you don't look back. Okay?”

“Whoa, that it, Dad?”

Jaymeson scowled. “And say no to drugs.”

“Wow. You're the definition of wisdom.”

“I try.” He turned back around. “Now I'm going to work my ass off so I get more details. I want to know what type of guy just turned that pretty little head of yours.”

I didn't respond.

But he'd called me pretty.

The funny thing? I actually sort of believed him.