Copyright @ 2020 by Jasmine Haastrup

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"I think I'm a bit overdressed for a simple event like this." I self-consciously clutched my right hand over the tawny skin of my other arm and peered at my plunging red floor-length gown. An outfit that would have looked amazing at any other formal event, but not Imade's wine shop opening. Why did I wear this anyway?

Tife raised his well sculpted eyebrow, acting all cool and collected as usual. We were sitting right next to each other as we watched his sister, Imade interact with other guests. "You're telling me this because?"

"You're a shitty friend, you know that?" I narrowed my eyes when he didn't give a response. "I'm dying of boredom not being able to talk to anyone. I literally don't know anyone here and Imade looks pretty busy. "

He adjusted his seat to look at me. His glass of wine was still in his hand and held a mischievous glint dancing in his intense, unwavering gaze. My legs quivered in an instant, reacting recklessly to the look in his eyes. I instantly knew he was up to no good. "Well, since you're up for a conversation, then I'll give you one. Where's your boytoy?"

I glared at him. I thought I'd be used to him saying it by now, but I found myself turning defensive again. Tife always had a way of easily making me irrated. He was like the cool, frosty ice to my burning, raging fire scorching beneath.  "Don't be an asshole. Desmond's my boyfriend. Not my boytoy and he unfortunately can't make it today."

"What sort of boyfriend misses the opening of his girlfriend's best friend's wine shop?" The corner of his lips tipped up. The teasing look in his eyes had settled in.

Tife was always like one of those devious characters in a movie who found pleasure tormenting souls. Handsome little devil. I knew him well enough to know when he's purposely trying to piss me off. He had a habit of devilishly teasing people he was always around with. I was his newest victim, with his dark, brooding eyes tailing my every reaction and once again, I ignored his flimsy attempt. Besides, I didn't need Desmond to go to every event with me. We had our own lives. "A busy one."

Tife gave a humourless laughter that brought a ringing timbre in his deep, husky voice. "Aren't we all? Just admit it, Nara. Your boyfriend isn't as perfect as you make him seem."

I found it hard not to roll my eyes. Neither of them liked each other and it made no sense why. Especially how similar in character they were to each other. They were both handsome, confident and undoubtedly sarcastic pairs, but somehow they always acted threatened by each other. "I think the wine's getting to you," He smirked at my words, and I continued. "I still don't get why you don't like Des. He's charming, attractive and  successful."

"He's also an arrogant stuck up jackass. If you weren't blinded by your attraction to him, you'd know that I'm right." He continued to toy with the glass of wine in his hands. The crimson red color swirled round and round inside the tall glass, distracting me for a moment.

I blinked again, drawing my thoughts back to the grinning stud in front of me. Biting hard, I pointed out. "Those three words perfectly describe you but here I am, still talking to you. I don't have to listen to the advice of a guy that surrounds himself in the arms of different attractive women to ease his ego. On the other hand, I run a successful blog on love and dating, so I should know."

As much as I hated admitting it, I could see why women always flocked around Tife. His chiseled jaw and high cheekbones always made women swoon. The way his full lips would give his usual cocky smirk and how his dark eyes held a glint of mischief, made him irresistible. Even now, he was dressed in a stylish, pinecone brown Italian three piece suit that clung nicely to his muscular body and brown shoes to match, helped to give him that powerful aura of confidence. But I knew better. I had known Tife for thirteen years of my life to know how wisely it was to stay away from him. There was nothing more that screamed "trouble" like Tife Johnson did. 

He let his stern gaze hold mine.  "It's not my fault women like me. Besides, it's solely because you write about love that you can't differentiate between the true facts from what's on paper."

I huffed. My relationship with Desmond wasn't perfect, but we knew how to make it work. Yes, he seemed distant lately, but I guessed that was normal in relationships. I opened my mouth slightly to speak, when I felt a pair of arms wrap around my neck. I turned my head and smiled at the sight of Imade's disarming grin.  

Her long black hair fell around her oval face. Almond shaped eyes crinkled in amusement and her grin on her full lips had widened. "From the way you two look, I can tell you guys were arguing again. Why can't my brother and best friend get along like normal people do?"

Tife had a sheepish smile on. "I'm always nice. It's not my fault Nara doesn't see that." Imade rolled her eyes at his attempt at playing "the innocent guy" role. No one was buying that.

"You know how Tife is. He's completely full of himself." My response came out clipped.

"Am I? Really?"

With a small groan, Imade added. "I'm too tired for this. Everything has been hectic, so far. It's my grand opening and I need to show as much confidence as I can."

Despite her attempts at keeping the conversation light, I had noticed the drawn look on her face and eye bags blooming under her onyx eyes. "Sorry, sorry. We'll be on our best behaviours. We promise."

"You better. Where's mom and dad? Aren't they here yet? I'm so nervous right now. I don't even know half the people that are here." Imade darted her eyes around, soaking in the diverse faces sprouting up at her event.

Tife rubbed his neck uncomfortably with his lips forming a lopsided smile. "That may have been a little bit of my fault. I may have invited a bit of my law school friends and associates here."

Imade gasped, her mouth sagging a little lower. "Wait. What?"

"I knew you didn't have much friends around so I invited a bit of mine. It's not a problem, is it?" He sounded a little nervous, careful enough not to upset his sister. But a dismissive wave of her manicured hands seem to wash off his concerns.

"Well, no. No, not really. It doesn't really matter. I'm just a little tired. I've been keeping myself awake for days because of this opening, and now it seems so good to be true."

"Well, I'm so proud of you. You deserve this." I uttered sincerely. My friend had gone through so much and it gave me joy to see that rare spark in her eye. It wasn't often I got to see that.

"Thanks, Nara. Where's Desmond? I thought he was coming." Imade peered around again.

My lips twisted to a tiny frown hating to be reminded. I knew he was busy. I understood that. I wasn't going to act selfish because of his absence. But it just felt like he had more excuses to give out lately than actually having time for me, and I deserved better. "He cancelled last minute. Sorry. Something came up."

"It's a shame then. I wanted to gawk at his gorgeous face one more time. My shameless little hobby that helps to keep me distracted from my lonely loveless life." It broke my heart when she said things like that about herself. I tried my hardest not to think about those difficult times they had to pull out of.

I shifted my gaze to admire the lilac dress she had worn that popped against her bronze ochre complexion she shared with her older brother. Staring back at Imade, I told her squarely. "Hey, don't say that. You're not lonely. You have me. And unfortunately Tife too."

Tife rolled his eyes. "Very astute, Watson." I resisted a grin.

"Yeah. I know. That's true. I'm just overwhelmed about work and it's making me emotional. Don't mind me. I'm going to go check people around. Excuse me." Imade trotted off before I could give a response.

It scared me whenever she did that. A part of me always feared the possibility of her hurting herself again. That was until my eyes caught something and everything I hoped for came crashing down. "Do you think she's going to be okay? She's been sad a lot lately."

"Immy's a big girl. She can handle herself." He said, though I could see the concern lingering in his eyes.

My serious, dark eyes met his. "We both know that's not true." He cleared his throat when he realized what I meant. After her suicide attempt a couple of years, we had spent more time worrying about her wellbeing than we obviously needed to. But I didn't mind. I'd do anything for my best friend. She needed me just as much as I needed her.

"There's nothing we can do, unfortunately." His voice came out in a low rumble.

An idea popped in my head, one I was sure Tife might not like. I always knew what she craved for. She never stopped talking about it. She always asked for my help for that favour but I just never found the right moment. This time, I needed to do it.  No one knew her better than I did and it's been my job to help her in any way that I could. My smile broadened instantly. "What if there is something we could do?"

His eyebrows crinkled, suspicion lifting the tone in his voice. "What does that even mean?"

Pushing back a lock of my wavy brown hair from my eyes, a glint sparked up in them. "We're going to get Imade the perfect boyfriend."

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Pulling your heartstrings is the romantic novel I've been working on for a little while. I'm going to take my time writing this because it's holds a very special place in my heart. Despite some cheesy elements I'll dab all over it, my very intention is to write a light hearted book, flaked with heavy real matters with the aim of literally tugging your heartstrings.
Writing about the heartwarming Nara and cocky Tife, as they navigate the  way to save Nara's best friend/Tife's sister's  (Imade's) love life, is one of my favourite things and I hope you enjoy reading about these characters as much as I love writing them.
It's a fast paced story, so I'm hoping you'll be able to keep up with it.
Xoxo
Jasmine