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Jay raised an eyebrow "And you don’t want to getrich guy who’s going to treat me like his property and parade me around like a trophy! One on’t let me have a career or my own identity I’ve seen hoorks"

"How so?"

"It happened to Veronica, my sister" And Tara didn’t want to live the kind of life her sister lived Pa, sure But she wasn’t herself anylanced at Jay and noticed genuine interest in his eyes "She doesn’t have her own identity She’s just so is Adaht of her own in her head I don’t want to be like that I don’t want to lose myself"

Jay smiled at her unexpectedly "I don’t think you’re the type to lose yourself just because you’re in love with someone"

"In love?" She huffed "That’s not a prerequisite for e in the circles ht: they don’t care if I love the h to suit them"

"I’m sorry to hear that But weren’t there plenty of handsome bachelors at the party ould meet your parents’ requirement? I believe the Gilberts’ son had a lot of his friends there, and they all seemed rich and handsome Can’t be such a hardship"

Tara rolled her eyes "That’s the whole point! I don’t want so But in the end they’re all the same They think because they have ame I want to find a man who likesuys play with other people’s feelings I want so real with a rich guy?"

"It’s iuy before parents on either side start interfering, putting pressure on you What relationship can stand up to that, even if there is soured you’d pick up a waiter at the party and tell your parents what you think of their plans for you"

Tara cringed "I’m so sorry" She ht stand, and then tomorrow you’ll rub their noses in it and tell the to start a relationship with him and parade him around in front of them on a daily basis?"

She was surprised that she didn’t hear any uys would be annoyed by now

"I didn’t really plan things that far I shouldn’t have dragged you into this But I was so mad at them I’ve had it with them, with their constant interference It drives me so nuts that sometimes I don’t even know anymore what I want I can’t hearhed "I’m so sorry I probably had too much to drink, too"

She had excuses en : she was attracted to Jay, and his kisses had awakened so in her But she couldn’t allow herself to act on her feelings now She wasn’t thinking clearly, and Jay deserved better He was a decent guy

"I should probably leave now and face the music at home" She ed the distance between the her onto his lap

"Don’t leave" He brushed his hand through her still daht I pro down on you"

She felt herself blush and avoided his gaze She’d never felt anything better than Jay’s ret that now Being used by me…"

His hand on her chin forced her to le second I loved touching you, kissing you, licking you You’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever ht now isn’t sex You just need a friend who listens"

Jay drew her closer, and she thought he was going to kiss her, but instead, he brought her head to rest on his shoulder and rubbed her back as if co a child