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But karma is a bitch, especially karma caused by Gwen. "Well, well. Look at you two getting along. That's great because I have to go to the restroom." She stands from the table, her brother following, when she pushes him back down. "No. Not now, dear brother. Don't worry about your order. I got it. It's my treat, remember?"
I'm almost about to get up and go after her when she glares at me, making me sit still. Damn! I should have stopped when I had the chance. It's because Gwen is here that I can talk civilly to Ryan. When talking to a handsome guy like Ryan, I usually make a fool of myself, and that rascal Gwen knows it.
She leaves, smiling so much that her brother and I shiver. "She is going to spit in my Americano, right?"
Feeling bad for the guy, I quip, "Probably. But she is your sister, and you've got to love her no matter what, right?"
Mentally screeching at myself for reverting to my awkward nature when a hot guy is around and Gwen isn't, I silently return to my meal, ignoring Ryan's astonishment. He must be thinking, 'What just happened to her?'
Astonished at my joking tone, Ryan comments, reclining in his chair, "I think I know why my sister has you as her best friend now."
Not knowing if I should be offended or appeased, I ask, "What do you mean?"
Shrugging, Ryan looks at my sandwich and completely changes the subject. "So, you think sandwiches can perform better than men?"
Pausing in the middle of sipping my heavenly coffee, my head jerks upward to look at him, flabbergasted. Oh shit. Gosh, he heard. Damn it.
"You. You heard?" I almost choke on my coffee.
Ryan grins that dimple-causing, knee-weakening smile again. And my heart skips a beat. I decide I am not too fond of that smile. We go back and forth for the next few minutes, oblivious that Gwen has yet to join us at our table.
Finally done with him, done with waiting for Gwen, and done with my meal, I stand up, ready to pay and leave, when Ryan snatches the bill from my hands.
Startled, I reach for the bill again, but he pulls away. "What are you doing?"
Ryan smiles, trying to appease me. "Hey, calm down. I didn't mean to anger you. Let me pay for your meal."
I calm down at his words when he continues, "It's the least I can do for disturbing your make-out session with the turkey sandwich."
I almost grab his neck, but the lucky bastard escapes. I hate him and Gwen for leaving me alone with her brother. I'd still had fun no matter how much I hated the guy. After I spent some time with him going back and forth, my awkwardness disappeared. This duo of brother and sister is alike. Both know how to get me out of my shell.
He still irritates me, though. So, as they say – out of sight, out of mind. Who can remember a bastard they barely met? And thinking that is enough to push the attractive but irritating man out of my mind.
Walking to my office, I am shocked to find Gwen already there and acting smug. She is peeking at me as if she expects me to blow up at her. But I won't give her that pleasure.
Walking to my seat as if nothing had happened, I smiled extra sweetly at Gwen, making her shiver this time. "Gwen, you could have told me you had a tummy ache so bad that you had to stay an extra-long time during your lunch break in the restroom. You poor thing," I shout and hand her some pills. "Take these. They work great when you have constipation."
Beyond surprised, Gwen looks at me, speechless, as some juniors giggle at her while the manager recommends, "Gwen, if your stomach hurts, you can go home."
Focusing on my work, I ignore Gwen as she tries to deny the manager's offer.
Later, when I drive her home, Gwen finally asks, "So, Jen, what do you think about going on a date with my brother?"
I side-glance at Gwen. "No, thanks, Gwen."
Yet Gwen continues like she always does. "But you guys had a spark earlier at the café. Not to mention, you're single, and he's single. You look somewhat average, and he is an asshole. You guys match each other," Gwen concludes, smiling brightly.
I'm not amused. I must stop this before Gwen sets up more meetings between her brother and me. "Gwen, I've said this many times and I'll repeat it. My only priority is my son.
"Your only priority is your son," Gwen finishes the sentence at the same time as me, having memorized it from the countless times I'd said it.
Gwen looks out the window, her mood depressing.
Sighing, I feel guilty about turning down my friend, but it is what it is.
Chapter Three - Jenna
Sitting in my car, I pull open the sun visor and carefully touch my red lipstick. Today I've been asked to attend and write a story about the high-class charity event hosted by the Armani family. So, I put on my best skin-colored nine-inch-long Louis Vuitton and Chanel's golden-silver backless halter neck dress and let my long black hair hang loose down my back.
