“Nonno, I need your advice as well.” I groaned. “I told TJ that I was dating this guy called Troy.”
“Who is Troy?” he asked suspiciously.
“He doesn’t exist.” I paused. “But now he kinda does.”
“What do you mean, this man kinda exists now?”
“I told TJ I was dating this guy Troy and a ‘Troy’ showed up and pretended to be my boyfriend. And I thought Sally hired him to help me out, but she didn’t. And now I’m pretty sure it was TJ and I’m just so embarrassed. I don’t even know what to do.”
“I think you need to speak to TJ,” Nonno said in an amused tone.
“It’s not funny,” I wailed. “I need your advice. Should I say something to him or just pretend I don’t know what he did?”
“Mila, ignorance is never the answer,” Nonno said, and Sally nodded.
“I feel like an idiot. He’s going to think I’m a liar.”
“You did lie, Mi Cara.”
“Nonno,” I wailed again and gave Sally a look.
“Maybe you and Sally need to have a talk about what you really want and maybe you both need to talk to your young men and see if they want the same thing.”
“Yeah, that’s going to happen,” I said sarcastically. “Thanks, Nonno, I’ve got to go now.”
“Don’t be upset with me, dear. I’m just giving you the best advice that I can.”
“I know,” I said and sighed. “I love you, Nonno. I’ll call you when I get back.”
“I love you too,” he said and then I hung up and looked at Sally.
“So that wasn’t a big help,” I said as I flounced back on the bed next to her.
“Yeah, it was.” She looked at me, her eyes gazing into mine sorrowfully. “Cody’s not ready for love, and TJ is playing the same games you’re playing.”
“I’m not playing…” I stopped talking and made a face. “Okay, I’m playing games, but only because I’m scared to put myself out there. I don’t know what TJ wants.”
“You know he wants you.” She raised an eyebrow at me. “He’s obviously sexually attracted to you. He wants you.”
“Yeah, he wants some sex from me. Woohoo.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure you could hook up with Cody as well, if you wanted. I want him to want more from me than just sex.”
“So tell him that.”
“Are you joking?” I looked at her. “Would you tell Cody that?”
“Hell no.” Sally laughed slightly. “Fine. Don’t tell TJ you want his babies.”
“Yeah, or the fact that I’ve saved myself for him.”
“Yeah, or that fact.” She shook her head. “You’re crazy—you know that, right?”
“Yes.” I nodded and hugged myself. “But even if it doesn’t go anywhere with TJ, I still want him to be my first. I’m a romantic like that.”
“Uh huh,” Sally said. “TJ doesn’t look like the sort of guy who’s going to make love to you the first time you’re together.”
“Sally!” I blushed.
“What? She giggled. “He looks like he’s going to pound the shit out of you and have you begging for more.”
“Sally.” I shook my head at her as my body tingled.
“What?” She grinned. “He’ll be flipping you over, bending you over, having you touch the tips of your toes while he—”
Knock knock.
“Mila, you in there?” TJ’s deep voice interrupted Sally talking and we both froze. “Mila?” TJ knocked again and then opened the door. “Am I interrupting something?” he asked as he looked at us lying on the bed together.
“No.” I glared up at him, annoyed that he looked so handsome and so cocky at the same time. “What do you want?”
“To talk to you.” He winked at me. “Unless you’re otherwise engaged.”
“What do you want to talk about?” I sat up, feeling my heart racing. If he made some sort of sexual innuendo, I was going to scream.
“Stuff.” He shrugged, his eyes crinkling. “Can’t we just have a conversation together? We’re adults now. Friends, even. Can’t friends just talk?”
“Yes, they can,” Sally said, answering for me, and pushed me out of the bed. “Go and talk to the man, Mila. I want my bed to myself.”
“You sure?” I looked over at her. “You going to be okay?”
“I’ll be fine.” She nodded, putting a brave face on.
“Okay.” I jumped off of the bed and looked at TJ. “We can talk.” I walked towards him and he smiled at me gently.
“Good.” He stepped back into the hallway. “I’ll see you later, Sally.”
“See you guys,” she said and gave me a small smile and a wink before I headed out of the room.
***
“So, what did you want to talk about?” I crossed my arms and looked at TJ as we walked down the corridor.
“Not much,” he said, looking amused.
“Just come out with it, TJ. I know you hired Troy.”
“Troy—your boyfriend?” TJ looked shocked. “How could I hire your boyfriend? The man that you love?”
“You know I do not love Troy.” I glared at him as we walked into the living room.
“How am I supposed to know that?” He raised an eyebrow at me.