“Oh no, Nonno must be so upset.” Sally looked sad.
“Yeah.” I bit my lower lip and sighed. “I’m not sure he really knows what’s going on.” I leaned back on the bed. “That’s why I feel guilty about asking for an advance. I’m sure Cody will have something to say about it.”
“Yeah,” Sally said. “I’ll lend you whatever you need. Just pay me back next month.”
“You don’t have to do that.” I shook my head, feeling guilty. I didn’t want to borrow from Sally. Nonno had always told me to never lend and never borrow from a friend. And his advice was usually spot on.
“I know that, but I want to,” Sally said with a smile. “That’s what friends are for.”
“You’re too kind.” I laughed and then moved over on the bed closer to her. ‘Do you think I’m making a mistake going after TJ?” I said softly. “Am I a horrible person going after a guy who is kinda seeing someone?”
“Not when that someone is Barbie.” Sally shook her head. “And not when the someone you’re after is TJ Walker. You’ve wanted him for years. I don’t see anything wrong in you going after him.”
“Isn’t that going against the girl code?” I made a face. I didn’t think I owed Barbie anything, but also didn’t want to be one of those shady girls who goes after what she wants without even thinking about the other person.
“Maybe.” She shrugged. “Though, it’s not like Barbie is honoring any girl code. She’s horrible. I don’t know what any guy see’s in Barbie. She’s a bimbo.”
“That’s what they see and like.” I sighed. “Big boobs and pouty lips.”
“Ugh, I don’t even want to think about her.” Sally made a face. “Let’s go into the living room. Maybe we can figure out dinner; I’m hungry.”
“Yeah, I could eat something as well.” I nodded and we headed out into the living room. “I was thinking maybe ribs or something.”
“Ribs would be divine.” She nodded eagerly. “Ooh and some pulled pork.”
“And smoked sausage,” I said, my stomach growling. “And banana pudding for dessert.”
“Oh, man, remember that banana pudding we got from Magnolia Bakery when we went to New York? It was so good.” Sally licked her lips.
“Um, how could I forget?” I said, my mind going back to the drizzly day that had changed my life—well, not really my life. It had changed the way I felt about banana pudding. It had gone from an okay dessert to a ‘where have you been all my life’ dessert. “That’s why I said I want it tonight,” I said and I went quiet as I heard footsteps heading towards us.
“I could kiss you all night long.” TJ and Barbie walked into the living room with their arms around each other. All happy thoughts of banana pudding fled my mind. I tried not to gag as I saw Barbie’s hands in his hair, pulling at the ends of his dark silky tresses. “I could kiss you and touch your hair all night.” Barbie almost purred as they stepped next to the fireplace and stood there.
“Yeah, yeah, we heard you the first time,” Sally said, giving them a disgusted look.
“Well, don’t you have good hearing?” Barbie said as she turned around. She gave me a pitying look and then turned back to TJ. “I’m hungry. Let’s go and eat.”
“Sure.” He nodded, the smile on his lips not quite reaching his eyes. In fact, his eyes looked like he was slightly turned off. I tried to make eye contact with him, but when he finally looked into my eyes, he looked like he was having the time of his life.
“You girls hungry as well?” TJ grinned as he looked at us.
“Is that even a question?” Sally looked at me and laughed.
“Yeah, TJ, was that a real question?” I smiled at him, though I was feeling anything but happy as I watched Barbie running her hands down his back. “Of course we want to eat.”
“So I guess this means the romantic dinner you promised me is off.” Barbie’s voice sounded annoyed and she pouted. “You’ll have to make it up to me tonight.”
“Of course, baby,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine as he grabbed Barbie around the waist and kissed the side of her face. “I’ll make it up to you all night long.”
“You’re a pig.” Sally said what I was thinking.
“Well, do you want this pig to feed you or not?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Let’s go,” I said, wishing I hadn’t spent so much money on the lingerie. What had been the point? I wasn’t going have an opportunity to try and seduce him. It wasn’t as if I were going to slip into his room, knowing he and Barbie were going to be getting it on. It made me sick just thinking about it.