Jennie

"You don't have to cook dinner for Lisa," I tell Enzo, my heart twisting painfully. She didn't come home last night, and I can't stop myself from thinking about her with Layla. "I doubt she'll be home tonight either."

I'm surprised when Lisa walks into the kitchen, yawning. Looks like she didn't get much sleep tonight. My mind flashes back to everything she said to me, everything she told me she did to Layla. Jealousy so fierce fills me that I'm almost brought to my knees.

I'm supposed to be heartbroken over my relationship with Mino, but all I can think about is Lisa. I cross my arms and look at her. "Oh, you're here," I murmur, trying my best to hide my feelings. "I was just telling Enzo that he doesn't have to cook for you, since it looked like you might not come home tonight either."

She cups her neck and looks at me, a small smile on her face. She looks like she's in a great mood, and for once, I hate that smile of her. I hate that another woman brought it to her lips. I hate that someone else caused her to be in such a good mood. I have no doubt what caused it, and I hate that too.

She smiles at Enzo cheerfully and shakes her head. "I'm here now, and I'm starving, so please do feed me," she says.

Enzo nods and gets to work. I purse my lips and lean back against the kitchen counter, my eyes roaming over her body. She smiles at me sweetly, and I can't help but grimace. She looks tired but happy, the look in her eyes one I'm intimately acquainted with. It's bliss, and it's exactly how she used to look after sex.

By the time dinner is served, my mood plummets even further. I stab my chicken harshly and then bite down on it angrily. My mind keeps replaying scenes I don't want to imagine, and I grit my teeth.

"So, the food is good, huh?" Dad says awkwardly. I look up at him and try my best to smile, but I fail miserably.

Lisa grins and nods. "Yes, almost as good as the food I had last night," she says, smiling. "Now, that was delicious."

I look up at her and lock my jaws angrily. My mind automatically takes me back to her describing how she'd go down on me, before she told me she did just that to Layla instead.

"Oh, what did you eat?" I ask, my voice monotone. I must be a sucker for punishment. Why the hell can't I just keep my mouth shut?

Lisa smiles and describes some mashed potato dish that sounds straight up weird, and I nod politely. "Well, that's nice for you, that you got Layla to cook for you. Sounds great," I say, trying my best to sound unaffected.

Lisa smirks and takes another bite of her food while Dad smiles down at his plate. I'm acting jealous and it's showing, and I hate that I can't control my reaction.

Lisa yawns just as we finish up dinner, and I involuntarily glare at her. "Looks like you didn't get much sleep last night," I say through gritted teeth, unable to help myself.

"No, barely slept a wink. Kept getting distracted by the view," Lisa says, grinning.

My heart jerks painfully and I blanch. I look down at my plate, stricken. My stomach twists with jealousy and I bite down on my lip to reel it in.

I rise from my seat the second Lisa takes her last bite and I grab all of our plates, taking them to the kitchen with me. I dump them in the sink and rinse them angrily, needing an outlet for all the anguish I'm feeling. I know the staff will take care of this if I just leave it in the sink, but I need something to do. I sigh and shake my head. I should be happy for her, but I'm just not. I can't be.

I drop my head against the kitchen counter as soon as I'm done. I'm losing it. It hurts so much more than I thought it would.

I inhale deeply and brace myself before walking back into the dining room, only to find it empty. The veranda sliding doors are open, the curtains moving with the breeze. I hesitate slightly before walking onto the veranda, my eyes finding Lisa instantly.

She's sitting on the swing, a glass of whiskey in her hands. She looks up at me, and my heart skips a beat. This woman… no one has ever been able to make me feel so much with a single look.

I walk towards her and take her glass from her. I take a sip before putting her glass down. I sit down next to her and look up at the night sky. I didn't think I'd ever be back here again, sitting next to Lisa.

I turn to face her, my heart racing. "Sounds like you booty called Layla," I say, unable to help myself. "Or are you guys dating officially now?"

Lisa bursts out laughing and shakes her head. "I do not booty call," she tells me, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Now I'm outraged in Spanish."

A smile tugs at my lips, but I stomp it down and cross my arms over each other. "Hey, I wonder how Tony is doing," I say, and Lisa's eyes flash with anger. "I should give him a call. See what he's up to. That'd be interesting, wouldn't it? We'd be dating siblings."

Lisa straightens in her seat and pins me down with a stare. "He works for me, and if he'd like to keep his job, he'd better damn well stay away from you. He stole your first date from me. I'll be damned if I let him have anything else."

I smile at her, pleased with the little bit of possessiveness she's showing me. I lean back in my seat and look into her eyes. "You didn't answer my question," I murmur. "Were you with Layla? Are you dating her?"

Lisa turns to look at me and raises her hand to my hair, brushing it out of my face gently. The way she's looking at me right now… I want more of that. I want to be the only woman she ever looks at. I'm not sure why I was so blind for so long, why I clung onto a sense of obligation, when my heart so clearly guided me in the right direction.

"Why? What would you do if I was? Why would you even care?"

I bite down on my lip and Lisa's eyes follow my every movement. I swallow hard as my gaze drops to her lips. What would she do if I just kiss her right now? What if I fight for her? For what I think we could still have?

Lisa cups my cheek, her thumb brushing over my lips. "I spent last night at home," she whispers. "I can still see into your room from mine. Nothing has changed, you know. I can never sleep when I go back home. I can't even get myself to close the curtains. It's like I want to be tortured."

My eyes widen and relief courses through me. I exhale and my entire body relaxes. I didn't even realize I was this tense. I smile at Lisa, and the edges of her lips tug up.

"Wow, a real smile," she murmurs, and I grin up at her.

"I see," I say, trying my best to play it cool.

Lisa smiles and pulls away. "You're awfully curious about who I spend my nights with, though."

I shake my head, my eyes wide. "Am not," I whisper.

"Are too," Lisa whispers right back.

I grin at her and she smiles back at me. I turn away, my cheeks crimson. Everything she told me about what she did to Layla is still running through my mind, and it still hurts. For the first time in years, though, I feel the courage to go after what I want, selfishly.