Tiffany watched Jacob sleep for a few minutes, then stood up.While she was cleaning his room, she found her diary on his desk. Now it was time to take it back and go home. End this silly blackmail once and for all.But somehow, it felt like she was betraying him and instead of grabbing her diary and heading out, she walked over to the desk and placed it exactly where she’d found it.Something must be seriously wrong with her.She looked around the room, studying it again. It was a simple room.A few posters were tacked to the walls, mostly bands she didn’t recognize. The desk was cluttered with textbooks, crumpled papers, and stray pens, yet there was something oddly organized about the mess. It was a side of Jacob she hadn’t paid attention to before—just a normal guy with a space that reflected bits of his life.Her gaze lingered on a photograph tucked into the edge of his mirror. He couldn’t be more than five in it, all toothless and innocent.She smiled. He was so cute.“Mom, no.”
“So now you get to witness the true reality of my life. Jacob stuck in this messy, broken, and old house with his poor mother,” he said. “I wasn’t born with a golden spoon in my mouth. So you are probably thinking I got some audacity to ask a girl out like you,” he added bitterly.“I see your assholy attitude is back. You must be feeling better,” Tiffany retorted.Jacob smirked his expression a mix of relief and annoyance. “Guess some things never change, huh? Even when I’m half dead, I still manage to get under your skin.”“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just surprised you have the energy to be a jerk again,” Tiffany shot back, crossing her arms. She leaned against the doorframe, trying to maintain a tough exterior, but inside, she felt the tension shift. Despite his words, there was a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes, a reminder of how close they had been just hours before.“I’m sorry,” Jacob’s voice dropped, a more serious tone surfacing. “I just…I never wanted you to see how I li
Tiffany didn’t hate him, and she was willing to go to prom with him willingly.The thought brought a smile to his lips. It made his headache lessen.And she was here, with him. For once, he didn’t have to feel alone. He let out a soft moan as he felt her cool fingers massage his scalp.This had to be a dream, right?“You aren’t actually here, are you?” He murmured, his eyes closed.He felt her shift. “What?” she whispered.“I have a feeling I’m in some kind of fever-induced coma and imagining you next to me,” he said.Tiffany giggled. “You are always saying weird things. Is your headache getting better?”“Yes. But that doesn’t mean you should stop doing what you’re doing right now. God, you have such a soft hand. I’m in heaven,” he said.“You still feel really hot. Maybe I need to take you to the hospital,” Tiffany said.Jacob’s eyes snapped open. “What? No, that’s not necessary.”“Why not? I can ask John to drive us and then…”“No!” Jacob exclaimed, interrupting her. “There’s no need
Tiffany stormed out of the bathroom, her heart pounding with anger and adrenaline. She couldn’t believe the nerve of those two confronting her like that. But a small part of her felt a thrill of satisfaction at the way she’d handled them, the shock on their faces when they realized she wasn’t some pushover.She was her father’s daughter, after all.She rounded the corner, her mind still reeling, when she nearly collided with a solid chest. Strong hands gripped her shoulders, steadying her, and she looked up to see Jacob’s concerned face.“Whoa, where’s the fire?” he asked, his brow furrowed.Tiffany let out a shaky laugh, the tension draining from her body at the sight of him. “Just had a little run-in with the queen bees,” she said, trying to play it off.Jacob’s eyes narrowed, his grip tightening slightly. “What did they do?”She shook her head. “Nothing I couldn’t handle. Let’s just say they won’t be bothering me again anytime soon.”A slow grin spread across his face, his eyes gli
Tiffany’s heart fluttered like a trapped butterfly as she descended the stairs, her fingers lightly trailing the smooth banister. She paused at the bottom, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves.As she entered the living room, Tiffany’s eyes darted around, searching for her family’s reactions. Her gaze landed on Lucas, her younger brother, who was frozen in place, his jaw hanging open.“Tiff… you look beautiful! Like a movie star,” Lucas exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine awe.Tiffany felt a rush of affection for her little brother. “Thanks, Luke,” she said, ruffling his hair playfully.Lucas ducked away from her hand, his eyes still wide with admiration.“Lucas is correct. This dress is perfect for you,” Riley said.A warm blush crept up Tiffany’s cheeks. “You’re sweet,” she murmured, smoothing down the front of her dress self-consciously.Is it too much? she wondered, suddenly second-guessing her choice. What if Jacob doesn’t like it?The moment was shattered by the sound
Tiffany took a deep breath, reminding herself that she was here with Jacob, not alone.They walked up the steps, Jacob still holding her hand. She could hear the muffled sounds of music and chatter filtering through the large double doors. The moment they entered, she was greeted by a wave of color and energy.Tiffany’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the scene. The ballroom was stunning, with shimmering decorations that reflected the soft glow of fairy lights strung across the ceiling. A large banner proclaimed, “Welcome to Prom Night!” in bold letters. It felt like stepping into a dream.“Wow,” she murmured. She spotted a group of her classmates nearby, including Amber and Emily.“Let’s find a table,” Jacob suggested. Tiffany nodded, grateful for his lead.As they made their way through the crowd, she spotted Amber and Emily across the room. They were talking and laughing with a group of their friends, their smiles wide and carefree. But as soon as they saw Tiffany with J
Tiffany and Jacob stepped outside into the cool night air, the music from the ballroom fading behind them. The excitement of the evening still buzzed in Tiffany’s veins, and she felt a sense of relief wash over her as they moved away from the chaos inside.“I can’t believe you won Prom King!” Tiffany exclaimed.“It’s all just bullshit, really,” Jacob replied, his smile infectious.“Whatever, you were reveling in that moment,” Tiffany said. “I could see your head blowing up like a balloon with pride.”Jacob chuckledJust then, a dark van pulled up beside the curb, its windows tinted and engine idling quietly. Tiffany’s smile faltered as she caught sight of the vehicle.Jacob’s expression shifted, his brow furrowing in concern. “What’s wrong?”Before she could answer, the side door of the van slid open, and two figures in dark clothing jumped out. Tiffany’s heart raced as a wave of panic washed over her.“Jacob!” she shouted, her voice high-pitched and laced with fear.Without a moment’
Jacob’s world spun as rough hands shoved him forward, the coarse fabric of a hood obscuring his vision. His feet scrabbled for purchase on the uneven ground, his heart pounding in his chest.“Watch it!” he snapped as he stumbled, nearly falling. A harsh laugh was his only response.Disoriented and angry, Jacob tried to focus on his other senses. The musty smell of decay filled his nostrils, and he could hear the echo of footsteps in what seemed to be a large, empty space.Suddenly, the hood was yanked off his head. Jacob blinked rapidly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. As his vision cleared, a chill ran down his spine.He found himself in what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse, its cavernous interior shrouded in shadows. Dust motes danced in the weak shafts of light filtering through grimy windows high above. The air felt heavy and oppressive.“Where am I?” Jacob demanded, his voice echoing in the vast space. “What do you want with me?”One of his captors, a burly man with a
“What are they doing now, Jimmy?” Lucas texted the man he hired to spy on Amy and Asa.Lucas stared at his phone as the message sent, his fingers tapping impatiently against the edge of his desk. His thoughts churned, the irritation growing with every passing second.His phone buzzed with a reply.Jimmy: They’re still on the mini golf course. No sign of anything strange. They’re just playing, talking, looks like having fun. She seems relaxed.Lucas narrowed his eyes, his mind racing.Lucas: Keep watching. I want to know if they kiss.Jimmy: They are on the last hole now. Looks like they’re finishing up. Could be wrapping up soon.Lucas: I want to know everything. Stay close, don’t miss anything.He stared at the screen, watching the little dots indicating Jimmy was typing. The delay felt agonizing, each second stretching longer than the last. Finally, the message came through.Jimmy: They are finishing up now. No kiss yet, though. She’s laughing at something he said. Looks like a prett
Amy paced across the bedroom.Seventeen steps to the window, pivot, fifteen steps back to the mirror. Her new sundress swished around her knees – impulse purchase, one size too optimistic. Twenty-seven minutes until he arrived. Twenty-six, actually. The clock on her microwave was fast.“You are a grown woman,” she told her reflection, which stared back with unconvinced eyes. “You’ve been on dates before.”“Why am I so nervous?” she asked herself in the mirror. “It’s just Asa, your nice neighbor.The sundress was yellow – “Daffodil Dream” according to the tag – with tiny white flowers scattered across the fabric like stars on a summer night.She’d spent forty-three minutes and all her remaining dignity in the fitting room deciding between this one and a blue number that made her look like a corporate retreat brochure. The yellow won because it didn’t take itself too seriously. Amy wasn’t sure she could say the same about herself right now.Amy paused at the window, fingers fidgeting wi
“Have fun on your date.” That’s what he had said.Amy had been annoyed at him since then and refused to look him in the eyes for the rest of the day. And then it was time to go home.“Maybe I should ask Mom and Ben to drive me back to the apartment. No reason for you to drive all the way there,” Amy said when they were near his car.“I have every reason to,” Lucas barked.Amy blinked, taken aback by the sharpness in Lucas’s voice.She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. “Why are you being so weird about this? It’s just a ride home.”Lucas scoffed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “Because I brought you here, so I am taking you back. Since when have you had a problem accepting rides from me?”“Since you started acting like a jealous control freak,” she shot back, her irritation flaring.Lucas’s jaw tightened. “I’m not jealous.”Amy let out a dry laugh. “Right. So, what was all that about earlier? Telling me I can’t go on a date with Asa? Last I checked, you’re not my boyfr
Lucas couldn’t stop worrying about what Amy implied throughout dinner. He found himself stealing glances at her.Was she serious? Was she bored of him already? How could she already be bored? They had barely just started!When the meal finally ended, Lucas didn’t have the chance to get her to be alone with him again because Tiffany decided to pull her away from him. “What are you doing?” he growled without thinking.Tiffany arched a brow. “Relax, little brother. I just want to get to know Amy better. You did say she’s your girlfriend, right?” she teased, pulling Amy along before he could argue.Amy gave Lucas a nervous smile but didn’t resist as Tiffany led her away.Lucas clenched his jaw, watching them disappear into another part of the vineyard. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. This is ridiculous. He needed to talk to Amy. Now.Jacob chuckled beside him, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “You’re acting like a dog whose favorite toy was taken away.”Lucas shot him a glare.
Lucas waited until they were out of earshot of Amy before turning to Alicia.“What’s wrong with you?” he asked, glaring at her.“What do you mean?” Alicia asked innocently.Lucas sighed. “You know exactly what I meant, Alicia. Why are you being so rude to Amy? What is wrong with you?” he barked.“What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with YOU? What are you doing, dating my stepsister, Lucas? I didn’t realize you’d play dirty just to get to me,” she said.Lucas stared at her. “Get to you?”Alicia crossed her arms. “You can deny it all you want, but I know you, Lucas. You don’t just accidentally end up with her, of all people. It’s a game, isn’t it? A way to—what? Get back at me? Make me jealous?”Okay, technically, she was right. This was supposed to be a game to get close to Alicia, but Lucas had no intention of doing that anymore. So all he could do now was to deny the accusation.“That’s actually insane, Alicia. You really think everything is about you, don’t you?” He took a step close
“Ah, Luke! Come on up, my boy,” Antonio Costello exclaimed jovially as Lucas led Amy and her family inside the building.Lucas grinned and stepped forward to shake Antonio Costello’s hand. The older man clapped him on the back.“Good to see you, Uncle Tony. Thank you for letting me bring some guests to tour your Vineyard,” Lucas said.Antonio waved a dismissive hand. “Nonsense, Lucas! You’re family. My home is your home.” His sharp eyes flickered over to Amy and the rest of the group. “And who do we have here?”Lucas placed a hand on Amy’s lower back. “This is Amy,” he said. “And this is her mother, Margaret, her stepfather, Benjamin, and…” His voice dipped just slightly. “Her stepsister, Alicia.”Antonio smiled warmly. “It’s nice to meet you all. The Vineyard here is one of my pride and joy. I can’t wait to show you all the true beauty of making wine.”Margaret clasped her hands together, clearly delighted. “That sounds wonderful, Antonio.”Antonio nodded. “Come, let’s not waste any
Amy kept pacing back and forth in her bedroom. Her room was tiny, so there wasn’t much room to pace, but she made it work. She had to think.“This is stupid,” she muttered under her breath. She touched the hem of her shirt—a shirt she had changed three times already.“Jeans and a blouse. Jeans. And. A. Blouse.” She spoke each word like a mantra. She looked at herself in the mirror and blew out a breath. It was a simple outfit, and she looked plain as usual. But who really cares? Lucas had seen her already, so it was not like she had to impress him.“Lucas may have that smoldering, infuriating knack for making me second-guess myself,” she acknowledged to her reflection, “but not today. Today, I am the epitome of casual indifference.” Besides, she was still kind of mad at him.Okay, maybe not mad. But irritated.She thought about Asa and how he asked her out. How would she break that to Lucas? He would go ballistic!But she had to admit…it was kind of nice to be wanted.“Let them fight
Lucas did not like Asa.Not at all.How could Amy choose to stay with him?Lucas ran a hand through his hair, breathing hard. He hadn’t stopped thinking about her and that asshole ever since he left his apartment, his blood boiling with jealousy.Another thought suddenly occurred to him. What if he had pushed Amy toward Asa even more by acting like a caveman back there?Stupid, stupid, stupid!Lucas gritted his teeth, pacing his living room like a caged animal. His fists clenched at his sides as frustration clawed at his insides.What the hell was wrong with him?He had been acting like a lunatic, snapping at Amy, throwing accusations, and now—now she was probably going to go out with Asa.His stomach twisted at the thought.What if Asa made her laugh? What if she actually liked him? What if she realized she didn’t need Lucas in her life anymore?His pulse pounded in his ears.This was his fault. He’d let his jealousy get the best of him, and now she was probably thinking he was a pos
“He is not going to come back in the morning and beat me up, is he?” Asa asked after Lucas stormed out, slamming the door behind him with a loud bang.“I doubt that. He acts all tough, but he is just a giant teddy bear inside,” Amy said.Asa looked at her intently. “So, is he your boyfriend or what?”Amy bit her lower lip and shook her head. “No. He is not.”“Then why was he acting like a jealous boyfriend?” he asked." It’s…it’s complicated,” Amy said.Asa arched an eyebrow. “Complicated, huh? That’s just a fancy way of saying I have no idea what the hell is going on.”Amy groaned, flopping onto the couch. “Tell me about it.”Asa plopped down next to her, propping his feet up on the coffee table. “Well, from what I gathered, he’s either in love with you, in deep denial, or on the verge of a mental breakdown.”Amy let out a tired laugh. “I hardly think he is in love with me, but the mental breakdown part might be true.”Asa took a thoughtful sip of his beer. “Whatever it is, I think y