Read Carpe Diem - Jesse 3 for Free Online Page B

when he heard about you coming back he was so pissed.”
    “Apparently he still is,” I shot back.
    Johnny scooped up a light jacket in one hand and gave me a crooked smile as he opened the door. “I’ve got a hot Italian chick waiting for me in town. Catch you tomorrow, Jesse.”
    I gave him a nod. As soon as the lightweight aluminum door clanged shut, I reached for my cell phone. I wanted to talk to Niki; her sweet voiced calmed me and I needed to hear it. It made all my ragged edges feel smooth again and today I definitely needed some smoothing. I swiped my finger across the screen and there was a text from Niki.
    Call me when you can, babe. I’ve got great news.
    I smiled at my phone and punched up her number, noting the dirt under my fingernails. I couldn’t even wait to take a shower before I called her. I flopped down into one of the faux-suede recliner chairs with dirt filled folds in my riding clothes. It would probably ruin the upholstery of the chair, but I didn’t give a damn right now. I was too tired to shower and I just wanted to talk to Niki.
    “Hey, babe, I missed you today.”
    “I missed you too, Jesse.”
    “So tell me the good news.”
    “You know I met the photographer today...”
    “Yeah. How did it go?”
    “We went to this coffee shop and he was nice. He says he can definitely help me. Then he invited me to go with him to this industry function tonight, you know, to meet people and make contacts.”
    “Tonight? You want us to go out tonight?” I rubbed my temple with my free hand and more lose dirt fell from my hair.
    “Well, uh, I mean, do you want to come with?”
    “If you want me to. I’m kind of beat but...” I slumped further down into the chair and then I remembered Coach’s advice. “I know this is important to you.”
    “It’s okay if you can’t make it. I have to leave in half an hour.”
    “Well then you’ll have to go by yourself. I haven’t even showered yet.”
    “I won’t be long. I’ll be home before midnight.”
    “Okay, but you better wake me when you get home.”
    “You know I will.”
    “Go get ready, babe. I’ll see you later tonight.”
    “Ok, thanks. Love you.” She made a little kissing noise with her mouth before she ended the call. I knew she was excited about her fashion career stuff here in Milan and this was her first connection with the industry.
    “Love you too.” I said sweetly and hung up.
    Fuck .

Chapter 6
    Niki
    D amn . That didn’t go well. I touched the screen of my phone to return it to the main menu and tossed it on the bed. He said it was okay, but why did I get the feeling Jesse was not being truthful about this situation? It’s not like I was going on a date with Gio, even though he was drop-dead Italian gorgeous. I hoped that Jesse wouldn’t let his imagination get the better of him. I didn’t want him to be jealous. A disturbing thought popped into my mind. God knew how he would react, especially if he saw Gio; he would know he wasn’t some old fart, or a nerdy camera geek.
    A spasm of guilt twisted my stomach. Or was it just hunger pains? I hadn’t eaten any dinner because I was waiting for Jesse, but and now it was nearly time to go downstairs to the lobby. I didn’t have time to fret over it, I had to finishing getting ready.
    I flew into the bathroom and plugged in my curling iron. I’d decided to put my hair up in a fun, sophisticated look. After all, I would be in a room teeming with people who have an eye for fashion and style. I couldn’t go looking like the typical American tourist. The main reason I came to Milan was to further my career, to find new and interesting people in the same business that could help me become a top notch designer. So I had better look good.
    But getting dressed up to meet a man other than Jesse was making me feel awkward, even if it was for business. And I hadn’t liked the way Jesse made me feel guilty when I talked to him on the phone about it. Or had he? Maybe I was the