Читать книгу What Love Tastes Like - Zuri Day - Страница 17

Thinking about her father, Keith Bronson, spurred Tiffany to action. Just as his actions had hardened her emotions—when he chose business over time with his daughter—Tiffany allowed the anger with Nick to build, quickly burning up the memory of their passion-filled night. She’d retrieved Tuffy from the bedroom after reading Nick’s thoughtless note, but now threw the bear on the sofa and went to get her computer. Moments later, headset in place, Tiffany used Skype to phone Joy.

“Tiffany!” Joy answered. “It’s about time you called! What time is it there, anyway? I’ve been waiting, impatiently I might add, to hear from you. Tell me everything!”

“I feel like crap,” Tiffany began, and then proceeded to tell Joy what had happened since they’d hugged goodbye at LAX Airport. From first seeing Nick on the plane, getting her purse stolen, meeting Chef Riatoli, and her near one-night stand with Nick. “It’s a good thing we didn’t do it,” she finished. “Then I’d really feel like a ho.”

“I don’t see why,” Joy countered. “You’re in Rome, darling. You’re supposed to have one-night stands, didn’t you know? You’re much too hard on yourself. We’re talking sex here, not surgery. I told you to loosen your butt up. And you went Zane, sistah! Now, aren’t you glad you packed that dress? Looks like it did what it was supposed to!”

“What? Get wined, dined, and dumped? Thanks a lot.”

“You are most welcome,” Joy responded. “Anything for a friend. Look, you’re approaching this situation from an entirely skewed perspective. Here’s how I see it. You’ve met a fabulous man who owns a variety of businesses. So what that he had to leave you in a penthouse suite for as long as you need, while he takes care of business? He did say you could stay as long as you need it, right? Why are you trying to block your blessing, girl? You can save the money you were going to spend on an apartment and live in luxury’s lap in the process, for a whole month!”

“Please, Joy. I won’t be beholden to any man, especially for this kind of money. As it is, this one night is probably breaking my budget. And I’m determined to pay him back. Look, I’ve got to go. I need to find out if my checks or new debit card have arrived and get moved to the place where I’ll be staying, the one I can afford. I’ll call you back once I get settled.”

“You’d better. And remember what I said, Tiffany. Don’t crawl back into that shell where you feel so safe and comfortable. While you’re over there in Italy? Go Zane.”