It’s still unbelievable how providence has struck for her.
But still … he’s Brian Morton.
Sam says, “I’m going to Hartford for my sister’s engagement party.” She pauses as she swallows the sudden lump that has bolted into her throat.
“Go on,” Cassie urges.
Go on?
I need a pretend boyfriend. You know, so my sister, mother and their pals don’t think I’m a complete old maid loser.
Brian says, “Don’t tell me. You need a date.”
‘Yes, she does,” Cassie puts in.
“You don’t have a boyfriend,” Brian states.
The way he says it puts a flush into her cheeks. You don’t have a boyfriend … and you want me to be your showcase boyfriend for the weekend. He gets it immediately, she can tell. He’s a smart cookie.
She says in a lofty tone, “Well, I’m between boyfriends right now … and it’s not required that I bring someone. But I suppose it won’t hurt.”
Oh crap. The way she said it was so lame. She sounded positively desperate. Can he see through that? Can he tell?
The side of Brian’s sensual mouth curls up.
“No, I suppose it won’t hurt,” he drawls.
Smug and sanctimonious bastard. Her eyes narrow. Is she reading too much into everything he says? It’s just that they had such an awful history together. If her wounds didn’t still chafe at the weight of her pre-pubertal experiences, she wouldn’t be feeling this way.
It’s like Pride and Prejudice. One chance remark, and she’ll hate him forever. Or in this case, there had been plenty of off-putting remarks. Too many to count. Caleb is fine. She doesn’t have too many bad memories of Caleb, other than he stood there while Brian did the dirty to everyone.
Brian says, “So let me guess. You want to stick it up to your sister and her friends who are going to be there. And you need a good-looking guy who will suck up and play loving boyfriend to your adoring audience.”
How did he ever get so conceited?
She says, “I guess I’ll have to look elsewhere then because I don’t see any good-looking guys at this table.” She cranes her neck to Caleb. “No offense intended.”
Caleb whoops with delight. “None taken. You tell him, Jaws.”
“Shut up.” Cassie shoots him a glance that can vaporize concrete walls.
Brian says, “Well then, I guess this discussion is at an end. Samantha doesn’t need a ‘boyfriend’ and I don’t need to be here when I can be out there fucking somebody who doesn’t sock me in the chin.”
He rubs his jaw as he says this even though it is clearly unmarked.
“Good, it’s a done deal then,” Sam says.
“No, no, no, no. This is not over,” Cassie interjects. “Sam … a word, please. In private.”
She drags Sam out of the dining berth. Brian lights a cigarette as he watches her amusedly. Oooh, if only she can wipe that smirk off his face.
They go outside into the cold.
“Brrrr,” Sam says, shuffling her feet, “whatever you’re going to say, you’d better say it before I lose a toe to frostbite.”
“You’re not going to get frostbite. Don’t be a drama queen. Now listen to me. This is an opportunity to kill two birds with one slingshot. You get to – ”
“ – I know, I know, sock it up my sister – ”
“Yes, and – ” Cassie grabs her shoulders and stares deep into her eyes, and continues very slowly, as though to a child who is soft in the head “ – take your revenge on Brian Morton. As he deserves.”
“You mean spend a whole weekend with him?”
“Yes … with him as your slave. You heard the terms of his bet. He has to do anything you want.”
“Ewww, I don’t want to sleep with him.”
The moment Sam says it, she knows it’s not true. Brian Morton possesses an extremely masculine sexuality that leaps out at you, even if you’re utterly blind and sworn to the nunnery.
“Who says you have to? No.” Cassie’s features turn crafty. “But you can make his weekend a living hell.” She grins. “I’ll help you.”
“I don’t know. I don’t have that … ” Sam struggles for the word.
“Sadistic streak? Meanness? Don’t worry. I do. Remember all those times in middle school when you swore you’d get your own back at him? Well, he left our school before you got the chance. Now’s your chance.” Cassie grabs her arm. “Say, is your sister going to invite me to her engagement party?”
6
They are in Brian’s black Ferrari, the four of them, on their way to Hartford. Brian is at the wheel. Caleb is seated beside him and Sam and Cassie are at the back.