Even The Weak Can Be Wicked (PLAYBOOK #2)

CHAPTER 23: Fighting Temptations

JESSICA

"Jessica!" Josephine watches me descend down the stairs from the kitchen. "Good afternoon honey."

Afternoon?

"Mrs. Henry," I use a pen to pin my hair up. "Hello." A quick glance at the clock does show it is almost 2pm.

"Here," she pours orange juice into a glass of champagne. "It's the reason I'm still smiling." She stretches it to me but I hesitate.

The only smart thing to do is decline but then again, the only reason I was able to take on Josephine last night was because of said alcohol.

"Nope," the flute is pulled away before it can even touch my lips.

"Aleksander!" Josephine scolds just as he gives me a bottle of water instead.

He is holding a t-shirt in his hand as he greets his mother with kiss on the cheek and says, "Mrs. Henry the 8th."

She hits him but smiles and fixes his bed hair

"Don't be cute with me. It's 2 o'clock, why can't Jessica have a mimosa with me?" She asks as he effortlessly shrugs his t-shirt on.

I am so glad my drunk mind sees it in slow motion because it's a blessing to see those v-lines and back dimples in broad daylight, his abs are just the opening act.

"Maybe because it is 2 o'clock and she is still a little drunk from yesterday."

I choke on my water.

"You are?" Mrs. Henry walks to me and checks my eyes, "you are!" I don't understand her excitement and how her son knew.

"Just a little," there is no point in lying because I am convinced I am still half asleep at this point.

"Good for you," Josephine gives me a wink as I sit down.

"Is this for us?" Dr Henry opens the take away boxes to reveal breakfast burritos with sausages.

Oh, they look really good.

"Of course, I needed an excuse to see you both and check if you gave me the right key to your house."

"Thank you mom," Aleksander pulls out two plates.

"Yes, Josephine." I take a bite and grin. "Thank you so much," I didn't realize how hungry I was until now.

"Water or juice?" Alek is drinking black coffee with his meal.

It takes me a while to realize he is talking to me because he chose the moment I stuffed my face to do so. Always with the perfect timing(not).

"I'll get it. You guys just enjoy your breakfast." Mrs. Henry stands and walks to the kitchen when I mumble "either is fine."

As Dr Henry cuts his sausages into little pieces, I try to remember if anything else happened last night.

I know we danced, kissed and that I threw up. I also know I planned to pretend it didn't happen but I wonder if he remembers because even though he doesn't look annoyed, he doesn't look very happy either.

Also why do I have the urge to rub his forearm to calm him down? Yesterday I was a guest but today I am still the house-sitter.

"Is everything okay?" Alek whispers and I come out of my head to find him looking at me, I wait for the gaze to move away but he keeps it for longer than 3 seconds.

That's new.

"Yeah, I am just wondering about Holly" and how ridiculously hot he looks with puffy eyes and messy hair.