That Jerk? by Ali Parker

Author:Ali Parker [Parker, Ali]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Star Key Press
Published: 2024-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 39

RYLEE

Ileaned back against the couch, still smiling at the picture on my phone. I had just shown Asher, Ward, Jameson, and the girls the photos from my trip. I regaled them with stories of the wild nights and the beautiful places we visited. I especially highlighted how Simon came to my rescue with a charming knight-in-shining-armor story. Everyone seemed genuinely intrigued, though I could tell there were varying levels of skepticism. They weren’t quite ready to accept he was the good man I believed him to be.

But they didn’t know him.

They didn’t see him smile or laugh or the little things like a casual touch when we were walking or his gentleness. They were blind to the side of Simon that had slowly unfolded before me during our time together. I couldn’t blame them. I had been just as skeptical in the beginning. I realized how much Simon had come to mean to me in such a short time.

Karen, as always, was the Debby Downer. Always logical. She never did anything on a whim. She looked at me with a furrowed brow, her arms crossed. “Travel flings sweep people off their feet all the time, but it’s not real life,” she said, her voice filled with concern. “Just don’t get caught up in the romanticization of it all.”

“That’s a big word,” Jenny teased from her spot on the couch, waving her glass. “Sounds like you need another drink, Karen.”

But Karen ignored Jenny’s comment, her gaze fixed on me. “Rylee, I just don’t want to see you get hurt. He’s a huge risk.”

I appreciated her concern, but I knew she couldn’t see what was between Simon and me. It was more than just a vacation fling. It felt real and profound. I smiled at Karen, grateful for her friendship but firm in my own feelings.

“I hear you, Karen. And I promise to be careful,” I reassured her. “But Simon is different. He’s shown me sides of himself that go beyond a simple travel romance. I don’t expect you to understand that because you’ve never actually talked to him or been around him. You’re going off of what you’ve heard.”

“Some of what I’ve heard came directly from you,” she retorted.

“True.” I nodded. “I think I judged him too quickly. It was a misunderstanding. It wasn’t meant to offend me. He’s just not tactful or always all that aware of other people.”

I realized it didn’t sound all that great, but I knew it was fine. I knew he was a good man.

Karen nodded slowly, still not entirely convinced but respecting my decision and not campaigning for me to dump him.

Jenny waved off Karen’s concerns. “Come on, Karen! Live a little! Rylee deserves some excitement in her life.”

“I’m not saying I want to marry him,” I said. “I’m saying I like him, and we are seeing where things go. We have a lot of fun together. Trust me, do you think I would waste my time with just any asshole?”

“She’s right.” Jenny nodded.

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