Vendetta

Chapter Nineteen: Bon Appétit, Babe

Jared insists he walk me to the dorm. He even opens the door for me. I walk in, dropping my bag on the side of my bed, while Jared moves and sits cross-legged on Rachel's bed.

'Hey,' I mock. 'No shoes on bed.'

'Heck, yeah.' He puts his feet down and pulls off his shoes. 'Rach will kill me.'

He then goes silent.

I think of how Rachel told me how he turned her down and told her she was just a friend. I wonder whether deep down, Jared cares for Rachel, in a way more than a friend.

'So,' I begin. 'You are not going to tell me where Christian went.'

Jared gives me a half smile. 'It's not my place to say.'

'Or who Alice is.'

Jared shrugs. 'He'll tell you, eventually. After all, you are his girlfriend.'

I shake my head, exasperated. Nobody's going to tell me anything. I seriously contemplate whipping out my gun and threatening Jared for answers.

Relax, Alex.

Yeah, right.

I stand up. 'You mind if a take a shower?'

'Coming to think of it, I never got to take you out for dinner. Why don't we go?'

I glance at my watch.

'Give me ten minutes?'

'Yeah sure,' Jared hoists himself up, grabs his shoes. 'You need only ten minutes?'

I roll my eyes, subtly, recalling my conversation with Jay.

'Yeah, you need more?'

'No, seriously. I'll have a change of clothes and pick you up in ten. 'Kay?'

'Right.'

/////

'Wow.'

Jared gazes open mouthed. 'This is the hottest thing I've seen all day, believe me.'

'Stop drooling.' I say in a bored tone, slipping into the driver's seat of the Mustang. 'When are you planning on shutting your mouth and hauling your ass into the car?'

'Wow.' He repeats, but complies to get in. 'That red. Did you custom paint it?'

'Yup. I had a friend of mine do it for me.'

'Zach?'

I raise an eyebrow.

'You know him?'

'Rach told me about him. He's your friend?'

'Best bud. Like forever.'

'What does he do?'

I gun the engine and cruise the Mustang out of the parking lot.

'He works with cars.' Crap, I don't know the answer to that question. 'Where are we going?'

'Le Bernardin. I hope you like sea food.'

'I love sea food.' Nope, I don't.

'Great. You know the way to Midtown?'

'Somewhat.'

Jared leans back leisurely. 'Let's see how much stress your British blood can take.'

I laugh before easily navigating through the New York City traffic.

'Voila,' I say, handing my keys to the valet parking of the hotel. Jared looks impressed.

We are almost at the doors when the security bounds towards us.