After Tony paid for lunch, we went

After Tony paid for lunch, we went to the sidewalk. He embraced Victoria then pulled away. She kissed him on the cheek then smiled at him. Even though she was seeing someone, I didn’t like it when she kissed my boyfriend. I kept a straight face since she was doing me a huge favor. Victoria hugged me next then kissed me on the cheek. I realized the affection might be a cultural practice. She was from England. Maybe I completely misread that.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said.
Tony nodded. “Thank you, Vicki.”
“Anything for you.” She got into a cab and drove away.
Tony put his arm around my waist then held me close. “It looks like our plan is in motion.”
“Yeah.”
He stared into my face. “What?”
“Nothing…”
Tony sighed. “There’s no reason to be jealous.”
“I’m not.”
“I can see it on your face.”
“Well, you lied to me.”
His eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”
“There was something between you.”
He looked away and watched the people go by. His hand fell from my waist then moved into his pocket. “We dated.”
“So you lied to me?” I felt my anger explode. After Danny lied and cheated on me, I had absolutely no tolerance for that.
“No,” he snapped. “I’m not a liar. I’ve never been one nor will I ever be.”
“Then what happened?”
“We dated for a few weeks. She and I fooled around but we never went that far.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. I didn’t like the idea of him kissing her, but it was better than him sleeping with her. “Why did you break up?”
He sighed. “I think Victoria is an amazing woman. She built the empire she has now, starting with absolutely nothing. But she and I just didn’t…hit it off. She’s very superficial and shallow. I knew she wasn’t with me for my money because she’s richer than I am, but I didn’t feel anything for her. I thought I would fall for her but it never happened. So I ended it before she got hurt. And I’m glad I did it because she and I are still friends. There’s nothing more to the story.”
“You intentionally misled me.”
“No, I didn’t,” he said. “But I didn’t want you to miss this opportunity because of something so petty.”
“Petty?”
“Yes, petty,” he snapped. “I love you. I haven’t loved something like this in a really long time. The last person who had my heart broke it years ago. So, there’s nothing to feel threatened by. I could have her whenever I wanted her, but I don’t. It’s just you.”
I avoided his gaze and looked at the street. I knew I was being immature but I couldn’t help it. It didn’t bother me that he dated her. It bothered me that he downplayed their relationship. “Danny cheated on me and lied to me for months. I’m very susceptible to lying. It’s something I don’t tolerate.”
“And I didn’t lie.”
“You still stretched the truth. I don’t accept that behavior.”
He sighed. “Cassie, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. But I doubt you want to hear about every girl I’ve dated or fucked. I’m just trying to protect your heart. I know I wouldn’t want to hear about it if the situation was reversed.”
“The truth is still better.”
Tony wrapped his arms around me and looked into my face. “You can trust me, Cassie. I don’t want you to ever feel like you can’t. I made a mistake and I won’t repeat it. I’ll always be blatantly honest with you. If that’s what you want.”
“One more chance.”
He nodded. “I won’t let you down.”
“Thank you.”
He kissed my forehead then ran his fingers through my hair. “I really hope this doesn’t change our plan. Victoria’s help is essential in both places. If you have her support for your company, your clothes will be sold everywhere. Magazines will want to interview you. And I bet Victoria would even model for you if she likes your style. Please don’t let your jealousy interfere with that.”
“It’s not the jealousy that bothers me.”
“Then don’t let my stupidity ruin it.”
I took a deep breath. “Okay.”
“Now let’s go home.”
We went back to his apartment and watched TV on the couch. I curled up next to him and enjoyed the scent of his skin. His fingers ran through my hair and touched the back of my neck.
“The guys are coming over.”
“Is a game coming on?” I asked.
“Yep.”
“I’ll get out of your hair,” I said as I moved away.
He grabbed me. “Just because I’m watching a game doesn’t mean you have to leave. You’re always welcome here.”
“I don’t want to intrude.”
He stared at my face. “Did Danny do that?”
I wasn’t expecting the question. I didn’t like talking about him. “Yeah.”
“Well, I’m not him. I like it when you’re here. You don’t need to leave.”
I smiled. “Okay. I just didn’t want to cramp your style.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Having my ridiculously gorgeous girlfriend sit on my lap while I watch the game isn’t cramping my style, baby. It’s a little uncomfortable because I have a hard on all the time, but that’s it.”
I blushed.
The guys came over an hour later. The TV was turned up and the pizza arrived. I sat on Tony’s lap while he watched the game then went into the kitchen when I wanted another beer. Scott came beside him.
“How are you?” he asked.
I hated looking at him. He always reminded me of Janet. “I’m okay.”
He nodded. “Just so you know, Tony’s birthday is this week.”
“It is? He didn’t tell me.”
“Janet said he’s always really quiet about it. I figured he didn’t tell you.”
“Well, thank you for letting me know.”
“Of course.”
“Does Janet talk about me?”
He shook his head.
“What about Tony?”
“She says she misses him like crazy.”
“She hasn’t thought about talking to him?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “She’s sticking to her guns. She really doesn’t want you two together.”
I sighed. “I hate this.”
“I know,” he said as he patted my back.
“I hate not seeing my best friend. But I hate Tony not seeing his sister more.”
“It’s a crappy situation.”
I stared at Tony while he watched the game. He didn’t talk about Janet but I knew he was upset about the situation. He and Janet were close, as close as she and I were. I was breaking up a family by staying with him. It was unfair and I didn’t do anything wrong, but I still felt responsible. The more I thought about it, the more depressed I became.