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“It’s part of your gift, but you don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to. I can return it.” I pretend to unclasp it.
“No!” Her hand jumps to the necklace. “I mean, I love it. It’s just too much. I can give it back to you after the party.”
“Well, if that’s what you want. I’m sure it’d look better on me anyway,” I wink, “but I’d like it way better if you kept it. Friends can buy each other gifts, right?” I have no intention of ever taking it back.
“Yes, but this seems a bit of an expensive gift for just a friend.”
“Well, this friend is worth it.” I smile and her cheeks turn pink.
“Lucky friend.”
“Nah.” I kiss her neck before looking back at her. “The luck isallmine.”
* * *
LEXI
My heart beats heavily in my chest as we drive down an affluent Long Island town, where apparently his parents live. Every mansion we pass in this gated community is bigger than the one before it, each sitting on acres of pristine grass.
So they’re all rich. No wonder he wanted to buy me a new dress and this gorgeous diamond necklace that I’ll never give back. What was I thinking telling him I would? Please bury me with it. I bet I’d be clutching it in my grave. It’s such a perfect blend of not overly flashy but not too plain, kind of like me, I guess. From cars to women’s jewelry, this man has good taste in everything.
I’m seriously dreading meeting his family. They probably like women from their circle, and here I am, Ms. Living Paycheck to Paycheck. Well one good thing is, I’m not really his girlfriend so maybe it’s better that they don’t like me. It’ll make Jax telling them we’re over that much smoother. He promised me this sham would only last a few weeks and after that he’d tell them we broke up.
“You seem quiet,” Jax says.
“Just a little nervous I guess.”
“Don’t be. My family will love you. I’ll even bet they’ll love you more than they love me, so you have nada to worry about, beautiful.” Knees crossed, I anxiously bounce my foot. His words don’t help to calm me much.
We near the end of the block and my jaw goes slack as a towering beige bricked mansion comes into view with more windows than I could count. He parks in the three-car driveway, next to two black vehicles that look more expensive than the home I grew up in. Actually, all the cars parked around their property smell like money.
“So, I guess you like the house?” He chuckles, turning off the engine.
“I can’t believe you grew up here.” I look out the window, completely mesmerized by the grandeur. “I didn’t realize how rich you were.”
“Not me, babe, my parents.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?” I glance over at him as he shakes his head.
“Nah, not really. I mean, their money sure as shit helped me as a kid, but I’ve done my best to stand on my own as an adult. When they offered to donate some money to help with opening up the security business, I refused. I wanted to do things my way.”
“That’s impressive. And look at you now, driving your—what’s it called again?”
“Maybach.” He grins. “Yeah, the guys and I’ve done pretty well for ourselves. It wasn’t always that way though. We started out really small, but within a year our business took off.”
“I’m sure your parents are proud.”
“I hope so.” He opens the door, looking at me over his shoulder. “Come on, baby, let’s go meet my family.”
I exit the car as he comes around, giving me his hand. I grab hold of him and we make our way to the large, brown double doors. Feeling all jittery, I cling to him tighter.Why did I agree to this?
He takes out his keys and unlocks the door. “After you,” he gestures with his arm. I let out a small gasp as I enter.
“Wow!” My eyes wander from the shiny white and gray marbled floor to the massive glistening chandelier hanging above what I’d guess is a thirty-foot ceiling. The black spiral staircase on both sides leads up to the second floor, making me want to run up and check out the rest of this stunning home. I can’t even imagine living here.
Jax circles his arms around my belly. “Damn, baby, you never look at me that way.” I may have forgotten he was even here. Yeah, this house is just that nice.
“You think your parents would take me in? I can be areallygood maid when inspired and I’m most definitely inspired.” In all seriousness, this beats living in my shoebox-sized apartment. You don’t get much space in NYC, unless you’re a billionaire in a penthouse, and news flash, I’m definitely not one of those.
