Say You’ll Stay Read online

  “This is my room!” Alyssa yelled after her. “Or was, for a year.”

  “I can’t tell if she looks like a badass entrepreneur or a high-class hooker,” Marc commented wryly.

  “Janelle, I need my shoes back.”

  “As soon as I get back from shopping!” Her sister minced down the hallway and took the stairs a little too fast, gripping the railing hard.

  “Aren’t you broke?”

  “I’m using gift cards to hit the after Christmas sales, nosy.” The front door slammed.

  Alyssa’s eyebrows lifted. “Pot, meet kettle.”

  “You know, it would be really nice to go somewhere where our families aren’t completely up in our business all the time,” Marc said casually.

  “Like Alaska?” Alyssa slid her hand down the front of his shirt, the rise of his pectoral muscles hard beneath the soft texture of his shirt.

  “Cold this time of year.”

  “There’s always the boat,” she mumbled hopefully.

  A grin played over Marc’s sexy lips. “Marinas are worse. I’m getting flak from everyone who lives aboard. I don’t mind, but prepare for a lot of commentary on your next visit.”

  “Is no place safe?” she asked with mock horror. Lacking any immediate solutions to her problem, Alyssa rested her forehead against Marc’s neck, his body warm and hard against hers, and the scent of his skin making her heart pick up speed. How could she possibly leave him?

  His entire body tensed as if she’d telegraphed her deepest, darkest wish. “What if you didn’t go back to New York?”

  She lifted her head and forced a chuckle to cover the surge of longing. “Right. No thanks for the promotion, handing in my notice, I’ll go live with my parents?”

  “No. You shouldn’t just quit. It’s easier to find a job when you already have a job. What else can you negotiate?” He moved back, clearly determined to solve this for her. It was endearing, but a spark of irritation flared. It wasn’t his problem. Marc was acting as if she should drop everything to come here and be…what? His fuck buddy for a few weeks? He kept hinting that he wanted something more, but he’d also been crystal clear that he intended to leave soon.

  “What do you mean, what else? I tried for money.” She let go of him and returned to sticking hangers into her clothes and clothes into the closet.

  “Maybe you could get a work-remote arrangement and come here for long weekends. You’d keep your salary and your title long enough to find a job in Florida.”

  The instant her heart started down the runway for takeoff, caution clipped its wings. Walking away from her job now would be career suicide. Even if he meant it sincerely, Marc was leaving on a sailboat adventure. Pulling the plug on everything she’d worked toward for the sake of a few weeks with him was a worse proposal than even Zach’s. Besides, quitting her job was a great way not to help Janelle.

  “Working remotely won’t work if I’m a supervisor. If I truly have so much talent and I’m not committed to staying in New York, I’d be a fool not to cast a wide net. See where my job search takes me. After all, in a few months, you’re not going to be here.”

  The hitch in her voice caught her off guard. If she was honest with herself, the idea of leaving her job and being closer to her family, and to Marc, held more appeal than it should. “Besides, we’re not a couple. You’ll be back to the hookup scene as soon as your grudge match with Zach is over.”

  She tried to stuff the thought down into the back of her mind like a pair of socks with holes in the toes at the back of a dresser drawer.

  His eyes glittered cold when she finally glanced up. Alyssa dropped her attention to the pale pink cashmere sweater dangling from her fingers. Whoops. She might’ve been a little harsher than she’d intended, but he couldn’t actually believe this was going anywhere.

  “Is that what you think of me?” he demanded. “I’m just some man-whore?”

  Definitely too harsh. Qualifying her statement with but you’re a nice, fun man-whore, not the gross kind probably wasn’t going to fix it, either. Damn. She hadn’t meant to hurt him. She’d been stating a fact, and she now wasn’t quick enough to form an apology.

  “Have fun with Zach tonight.” His voice cleansed like rubbing alcohol on an open wound. Then he was gone.

  13

  “Tonight’s date challenge is to enjoy one another’s company without spending money. You are to spend no more than ten dollars over the course of at least two hours.” Janelle held her clipboard close to her chest. She still hadn’t taken off the Louboutins, which made her a stronger woman than Alyssa. Those heels made her calves cramp after a couple of hours.

  Crickets chirped around them as she followed Zach to the white mustang. The night air was moist and soft on her skin, the humidity tugging little flyaway strands out of the braid she’d corralled her hair into. Best to remove any temptation for him to touch her; being here already felt like cheating on Marc.

  It’s not possible to cheat on a one night stand. It wasn’t like they were committed. She’d said as much to his face only a few hours ago. She ought to be trying to fix things with Marc, not going on this stupid fake-date with Zach. But she’d promised her sister, and she’d see the contest through. Besides, Marc hadn’t returned her phone call. He was truly pissed off. Only the stone in the pit of her stomach kept her anchored here in the car.

  “I thought we’d drive around to see the Christmas lights.” Zach’s voice startled her out of her sulk.

  “Sure.” Whatever you want. She didn’t have to argue about every little thing just to prove that she wasn’t a pushover.

  Twenty minutes later they were cruising down the streets of one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Naples. The houses out the window of the car had ballooned from the modestly-sized postwar bungalows and ranches of her parents’ neighborhood to giant barns with huge windows and three-car garages. Some were bedecked with tasteful light displays. Others had gone all-out, red-and-green strings winding over rooftops and down porches. A boat covered with twinkling strands sat in the driveway of one monstrous home.

  “See the house with the sleigh and the reindeer?” Zach pointed across the street.

  “Cute,” Alyssa replied, trying to bring her attention back to the moment.

  “Yeah, you think so? I could buy something like that. Your sister could live there.” He tried to sound casual, but Aly heard the temptation in his voice. Like he was dangling a carrot. She gave him the side-eye, but said nothing.

  “C’mon. Janelle would love it. And the way I see it, you kind of owe her.”

  “I—What?”

  “Well, your parents mostly paid for you to go to college in New York, so your little sister’s bogged down in debt. I could help with that. Seriously doubt Garden Boy could.”

  “Call him that again, and this date’s over.”

  “I’m sure he calls me something just as adorable. You know I’m right. You love me, and I love you. So, what are we doing here? Let’s just get a flight, and go home. We’ll get you out of that apartment, and moved in with me. We need some time together, alone. That’s all.”

  He reached for her hand. Aly stiffened. He was taking control, like he always did. If she wanted to break up with him, tonight was the night. This had nothing to do with Marc, and everything to do with her autonomy and independence.

  “I’m surprised Janelle told you about the loans.”

  “She didn’t. I guessed, from things you said over the past couple of years. See? I listen to you all the time.”

  “Yeah, for ways to manipulate me.” She yanked her hand away. They drove to the end of the block and turned down another road, going nowhere. Zach went on as if she hadn’t spoken.

  “We don’t have to get married right away. We can wait until you’re ready. But I need to know that you feel the same way about me as I do you. I mean, sometimes you get a little frigid. Moving in together means we’d have more sex.” He reached over to brush her cheek with one fingertip. “That�
�s why I was so astounded that you’d been out with Garden Boy.”

  “This date is over,” Alyssa declared through clenched teeth. “Take me home or I’m calling a cab.”

  “You can’t mean that, babe. Think about the past two years. You’re upset about the engagement, so let’s cool it and take the next step together.” They stopped at an intersection. Zach’s tentacle—arm—pulled her closer. Alyssa lifted his elbow, ducked under his arm and opened the car door. A second later she was on the sidewalk, clutching her purse against her chest.

  “Get back in the car, Aly.”

  “No.” Instead, she turned and strode down the sidewalk. Thank goodness she’d worn flats. She’d left the passenger side door hanging open, and now she heard it slam behind her. Her palms were so sweaty that her bag slipped as she picked up the pace.

  Zach trailed her slowly in the car. “This is stupid, Aly. Don’t be dumb. Get in.”

  “No. I’m calling a cab.”

  “I won’t let you do that. Come on. It’s fine if you don’t want to move in. Keep the apartment. Just stay over more often.”

  “No. I told you we were through on Christmas Eve. I shouldn’t have to keep telling you. Go away.” For the first time, a tremor of fear for her physical safety flashed through her mind.

  She should’ve been honest with her family. This stupid contest was supposed to help clarify her choices, and boy, had it ever. Alyssa had never been clearer in her life about what she needed, and right now, that was a whole lot of distance from Zach Kessler. She pulled her phone out without breaking stride, but it took her two tries to open the app and request a cab. Three minutes. Then, she’d be out of Zach’s reach. She kept walking. Zach tailed her in silence.

  At last she spotted the driver, opened the car, and jumped into the back seat. Zach yelled one last time before she could get the door closed and locked.

  “You said you’d give me an honest chance!”

  I did. You blew it.

  Alyssa kept looking behind the cab to see if Zach had followed her. The thought was terrifying. He’d never been violent before, and there was no reason to think he posed a physical threat, but suddenly she was reevaluating everything. She peered warily around before stepping out of the car in her parents’ driveway. Her sister’s shadow filled the porch. There was no sign of her ex.

  Dread made her shiver despite the night air. What was she going to do about her sister? There had to be some way to help her. Janelle had taken the brunt of their parents’ cheapness and even if he was a jerk, Zach was right about one thing: it wasn’t fair to let her struggle alone.

  “That was short.” Janelle was still wearing the heels.

  “I’m done with Zach. Contest over. Marc wins.”

  Janelle shrugged. “I’m glad.”

  “Really?” Alyssa crossed her arms at her sister.

  “Yeah. Zach said a few things this week that were really off. When I called him on it, he’d either lie to my face or say I’d misunderstood him, when I knew I hadn’t.”

  The hair on Alyssa’s neck prickled. “What kinds of things?”

  “Basically, that he’d help me with my loans if I helped him win you back. As if I’d sell my sister. He’s also been dismissive of you. He made it sound like you were selfish for not marrying him to help me.”

  “Janie, that’s exactly what you asked me to do.”

  Her sister hung her head. “Yeah, I believed you’d help me with my loans if you married him. I pushed you to do the contest, because I thought Zach was a good guy. A real catch, you know? Rich, good looking, generous, and crazy about you. But he was only manipulating me. He’s been gaslighting us all along, hasn’t he? What an asshole.”

  There was a word for Zach’s behavior; she wasn’t making it up. Relief coursed through Alyssa’s body. The sensation was short-lived.

  The white Mustang roared into the driveway. Zach stepped out, his hair mussed and his shirt wrinkled, his expression the picture of concern.

  “Aly, I’m so glad you’re safe. I was so worried when you took off. What’s wrong with you?”

  “Nothing’s wrong with me, Zach.” Alyssa tried to shove her sister behind her, but Janelle tried to do the same thing and they ended up side-by-side, a united front.

  “You’ve lost the contest, Zach. Go away.”

  Alyssa wished she could tape her sister’s mouth shut.

  Zach ignored her. “Aly, don’t be like this. You scared me tonight. It’s not cool to jump out of someone’s car. That’s nuts.”

  “Why did she feel like she needed to?” Janelle interjected.

  “I don’t know,” Zach shrugged. “I’d asked her to move in with me, as soon as we get back to New York, so we can put this week behind us.”

  “Is everything all right?” Catherine appeared at the screen door.

  “Yes,” Zach said hastily. “I was just saying goodnight.”

  “Mom, stay, please.” Alyssa spoke over her shoulder, a command and a plea.

  Catherine stepped onto the porch. Reinforced, Alyssa returned her attention to Zach and stepped off the porch. She had to make this no stick. “I got out of the car, Zach, because you never listen to what I say. You lie about me. You lie about me to me! I’d never, ever marry you. Not for any amount of money in the world.”

  Zach glanced away, then took two steps closer. “You don’t mean, that, sweetie.”

  He grabbed her by the arm, slid his other arm around her waist and pulled her hard against his body. His mouth crashed down onto hers in a forced kiss that blocked her protest.

  Alyssa tried to beat against his back with her free hand. Her fingers brushed the edge of his mobile phone sticking out of his back pocket. Clenching her teeth against the mouth assault, she forced herself to lean closer so she could pull it free.

  Zach released her so suddenly that Alyssa nearly tumbled back onto her ass. Instead, she bumped into Janelle, who’d stepped off the porch to help. The entire incident couldn’t have taken more than a few seconds.

  “Get out of here before I call the cops,” Janelle hissed.

  “Janie, she has my phone. I’m not going until I get it back.”

  Alyssa retreated to the porch with her prize and wiped the taste of Zach’s mouth away with the back of her hand. She unlocked the phone and quickly deleted her phone number and their text message thread. Somehow, Catherine had convinced Zach to get into his car. Alyssa strode over and tossed the phone onto the white leather of the passenger-side seat. “Don’t call me. Don’t email me. I’ve deleted my info. Contact me again, either here or in New York, and I’ll get a restraining order. Do you fucking understand me?”

  Zach’s only response was to yank the car in reverse and accelerate backward without looking to see if she’d jumped out of the way in time to avoid being hit. The three women stared after the white car as Zach sped away.

  “I take it you’re on with Marc for New Year’s,” Catherine commented after a moment.

  “Yeah.” Alyssa pushed her hair back and grinned. “Yes, I am!”

  “You might want to give Marc the good news.” Janelle nodded, her shadow shifting. A car door slammed.

  The growl of his truck’s engine told her it was already too late. Alyssa’s entire body jerked around in time to see it streak around the corner. She squeezed her eyes shut, her skin clammy despite the warm night.

  “On second thought, I might be looking for a New Year’s party to crash,” Alyssa swiped hair out of her face, joy at her freedom from Zach instantly replaced by regret. Marc must’ve seen the awful kiss. Knowing Zach, he’d done it on purpose, to ruin her prospects with his rival.

  “My car’s parked on the street. If you hurry, you might catch him.” Janelle held out a silver ring. Alyssa snatched it and sprinted to the old Volkswagen, turning the key twice to coax the engine to life.

  But when she turned the corner, the street was empty.

  14

  The second whisky, glistening amber in the low light, sat unt
ouched before Marc. Music throbbed, loud and distracting. Not his style, but so what?

  “Don’t be so glum. You can always come over to our side. Lots of men would be into you. Lots and lots and lots.” The man speaking wore a tight t-shirt with a picture of a unicorn mounting another unicorn beneath a rainbow. Julian’s arm draped affectionately over his shoulder.

  “I’m considering it.” Marc was used to this sort of banter from Stefan, Julian’s boyfriend. He hadn’t wanted to be around his own friends. Their solution was always the same: set him up with some Tinderella hookup on the spot. Ordering up easy sex was so simple, like getting pizza delivery, and time was he’d have hit it without a second thought. Not anymore.

  “If you think women are dramatic, try dating men.” His brother wasn’t typically affectionate in public, but they were cozied up in the booth of a gay bar. Marc had invaded his space, so he was more relaxed than usual.

  “Tits at twelve o’clock.” Stefan nodded toward the door. “Not the usual fag hag here to shake it either.”

  Marc watched his brother’s body freeze and unthaw in the space of a few seconds. It was all the warning he had before Alyssa materialized in his peripheral vision.

  The whisky burned his esophagus all the way down.

  “Hi Julian, apologies for chasing you down. Do you know where…” Her gaze fell on him like water hitting an open flame.

  She’d come after him. If he could’ve throttled the sudden adrenaline rush running through him, he would’ve.

  “You must be Aly,” Stefan declared in a tone that told her everything about their topic of conversation for the past half hour. She blanched.

  “Yes. A friend of the family.” She stuck out one hand gamely. “And you are?”

  “Stefan. A friend of Julian’s.” He reached over and pumped it once, Julian’s arm bobbing where it still hung over a shoulder.

  “A pleasure to meet you.” Aly didn’t bat an eyelash. “Great t-shirt.”