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Paul laughed and Melissa smirked.
“Oh, yes you are. I tried to speak with you before, after your betrayal with Ian, but you refused to listen. Instead, you went about trying to manipulate him by getting sick to keep him.”
I tilted my head down in an attempt to avoid showing her how much her words affected me. I knew what she said wasn’t true, but the way she said it had me questioning myself.
“That was low. Shut up, Melissa,” Paul hissed at her.
“You don’t tell me what to do,” Melissa snapped back to him.
“Where the hell is Dad?”
Paul reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, walking a few paces away from the couch.
Melissa turned her anger back on me. “Jonas has a tender heart, despite all he experienced with an absent mother and an unavailable father. He needed to explore his limits and gain some control over his life after his divorce. He sought a companion, someone willing to meet him where he was ready, but instead he found you. I told you as much before, but you didn’t listen. I mean, why are you even here?”
“He insisted I stay with him while he’s in New York, as his friend,” I cleared my throat. “I was planning on going back to my place today. In Jersey City.”
She rolled her eyes. “For his stay in New York, not beyond that. Right?”
I gave her a blank look and she stared at me as if I was daft. It then clearly occurred to her that perhaps I didn’t know what she was eluding to, so she decided to enlighten me.
“Jonas doesn’t just intend to visit for a week. He intends to relocate back to New York.”
My jaw unhinged. I looked over at Paul, who didn’t confirm or deny what she’d told me.
Instead, he said, “Dad’s on his way, but he’s missing the good stuff.”
“I thought he discussed this with you. But then, you never really tell the truth and I don’t know you well enough to know when you are lying,” Melissa said with a wave of her hand.
I blinked and didn’t answer.
“I heard about your little trouble, and, well, I have a friend in real estate here in New York. I can help you find a new place. I even have a friend that could let you rent her place today,” she said.
I hunched my shoulders. “Did you hear me?” My voice raised. “I have my own place in Jersey City.”
“Leave her alone, Melissa,” Paul said, also raising his voice.
“Quiet, Paul,” she snapped back, and curled her lips. “We can present the idea together to Jonas when he gets here.”
I stood. Why Jonas hadn’t shared his long-term plans was beyond me, but I wasn’t going to spend another moment in her presence, let alone take her backhanded offer.
“No. I’m leaving.”
Melissa cackled. “Running away again? I guess that’s your pattern. I’ll be sure to tell Jonas as much when he gets here.”
Paul shook his head. “You can’t leave. Dad will lose it, and you don’t want to be responsible for that, hmmm?” he asked with a grin.
I glared at him, and he chuckled.
Where had running away ever gotten me? No. I wasn’t going to run this time. I lifted my chin as I turned my focus back to Melissa.
“You’re right, Melissa. I have no right to be here, and I didn’t know Jonas was staying in New York. If he is with you, this has nothing to do with me. As I said, I have my own place.”
Melissa’s face lit up and a wide grin spread across her face.
I folded my arms. Whatever happened I would stay. “However, I am going to wait and speak with Jonas.”
Her smile eroded just as the door swung open and Jonas walked in with force.
