All I've Never Wanted(44)

I nodded a bit impatiently. “Ok, thanks.” If that “gentleman” steals my phone, I’m going to kick his butt, I thought, a bit appalled at how violent I was becoming.

Stupid Roman Fiori. This was all his fault.

Ok, so it wasn’t directly his fault that I forgot my phone, but he makes a convenient scapegoat.

A few minutes later, the dressing room door swung open, and a tall, sandy-haired guy walked out.

My jaw dropped in shock. “James?”

He looked up, his eyes lighting up when he saw me. “Maya!” he exclaimed happily. “What a coincidence!”

“What—what are you doing here?” I stammered. I hadn’t spoken to him since the first time Roman “kidnapped” me and caused me to break my phone.

James shrugged, holding up a black suit. “I have an interview for an internship coming up, and I needed to get some business clothes,” he explained. “What about you? You don’t really strike me as the type of girl who shops at Barneys. And I mean that in the best way possible,” he added hastily.

“Oh, uh, I was just here to check out some homecoming dresses,” I replied. “But I think I may have left my phone here…”

“This wouldn’t happen to be your phone, would it?” James held up my new phone.

“Yeah, it is!” I couldn’t have been more relieved. I reached for it, but he held it out of my reach with a teasing smile.

I stopped, confused.

“I’m not giving you your phone back until I put something in it,” James explained, typing something into my phone. When he finished, he gave it back with a wink. “Now, you’ll have no excuse to not call me back.”

I blushed, suddenly remembering how our last conversation had ended. “I’m so sorry about the other day,” I apologized. “My phone, uh, died.”

Technically true. I was just going to spare him all the gory details.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it,” James assured it. A small smile lit up his face. “Although I do think you owe me a date for making me sick with worry like that,” he joked.

At least, I think he’s joking.

I turned even redder. “Um…well…” What do you say to something like that?

“Come on, it’ll be fun,” he persuaded. Oh. So he hadn't been joking. “And we can do something outside of Valesca, get away from all those snobs for a bit.”

I was actually a bit tempted, but I slowly shook my head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t,” I replied, slightly regretful. James seemed like a cool guy, and he was pretty cute, but if Parker was being loyal as my fake boyfriend, then I had to be loyal too. “I’m kind of…seeing someone.”

“Oh,” he said, sounding disappointed. “I suppose I should have guessed.” He gave me a small smile. “If you ever change your mind though, you know how to reach me.”

I nodded, smiling back. He really was nice. “Well, I should go. He’s, um, actually waiting for me.”

“Ok.” James nodded, gesturing to the suit. “And I guess I should pay for this before they think I’m trying to steal it,” he laughed. “Well, it was nice running into you again, Maya. And you tell that boyfriend of yours he's lucky to have you, so he better treat you right.” He winked at me.

By now, my face could be mistaken for a fire hydrant. “It was nice seeing you again too,” I murmured, and with a quick wave, I headed back downstairs to the café where Adriana and the others were waiting. I couldn't stop a smile from spreading across my face though.

It was so nice to see a friendly, down-to-earth face, although I couldn’t believe I managed to run into James in a city as big as New York.


What were the odds?

* * *

“Do I really have to wear this? It’s uncomfortable,” I whined, glaring down at the black cocktail dress I was stuffed into.

“Stop being such a baby,” Roman said, sounding annoyed as he got out of the Town Car that had been chauffeuring us around all day. “That dress is Dolce & Gabbana.”

“Considering Dolce & Gabbana seems to be Italian for I-can’t-breathe-right-now, I don’t really care,” I snapped. I narrowed my eyes. “How do you know that, anyway?”

“They make men’s clothes too. Plus, I can recognize their cut.” Roman pursed his lips and gazed pointedly at Parker. “You need to educate your girlfriend on the finer points of life, if she’s going to fit in.”

Parker chuckled, wrapping an arm around my waist. “She’s perfect the way she is,” he said loyally.

"Aw, thanks, sweetheart," I gushed with exaggerated sweetness.

Roman grimaced. “I’m about to throw up,” he muttered, not looking at us.

“Maybe you shouldn’t go to dinner, then,” I said innocently.

He ignored me.

“Settle down, children. Masa’s a restaurant, not a playground,” Adriana reminded us, as we entered the sleek, dimly lit restaurant.

We were immediately led to a table in the best part of the room.

“It’s ok, guys, I got this,” Parker said confidently, right after we sat down.

"Yeah, he knows all the best dishes," Zack said, nodding his golden head as he backed his friend up.