Charade (Swept Away, #1.5)(11)

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. It just irks me when I see these guys doing what they want whenever they want just because they got lucky to be born as a male into a well-to-do family.”

“I know. It’s not fair.” I gave her a supportive smile and she made a face.

“It is what it is. I’m glad you met David Bradley. Maybe one of these guys will finally get their comeuppance.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I know you. You’re a good girl. These guys need to meet girls like you and me. We don’t take their shit. Bring him to his knees and let him see what it’s like to be on the other side for once.”

“We’ll see,” I said and then sat back as the waiter approached with our meals. I was glad that the food had arrived as I wanted to change the subject. I needed a way to deepen my relationship with David without selling myself out. I didn’t want to do anything I’d regret later. Already I was worried that the lines were starting to blur. The excitement I’d felt at his two missed calls was more than it should have been. I had to remind myself—getting to know David Bradley had nothing to do with him and everything to do with me finding out what role his family had in my mother’s death.





four

“Bianca, it’s me, David. From the other night at the bar.” His voice sounded happy and just a little bit unsure.

“Oh, hi, David. How are you?” I spoke in a blasé tone, as if I couldn’t care less that he was calling me.

“I’ve called you a couple of times . . .” His voice trailed off and I didn’t respond. “Did you get my messages?”

“I think so.” My tone was light and breezy as I stared up at the ceiling in my room. “Sorry, I get a lot of calls. It’s hard for me to keep up.” I lied easily. The fact was, hardly anyone called me, but I wasn’t going to let him know that. Rosie always said men liked to think they had competition when it came to getting a woman.

“Oh, I should have guessed.” He paused. “I had a good time the other evening. Thanks for saving me from that boring shareholders’ meeting.”

“No, no, no, thanks for saving me,” I said in a flirty voice. “I was trying to think of a way to get out of there.”

“I guess that’s why you were so distracted.” He laughed.

“Yeah, you know how it is.”

“Would you like to go to dinner with me?”

“Dinner?” I sat up slightly and pumped my fist. Yes!

“I know you’re probably busy tonight, but what about tomorrow?”

“Um, let me think.” I had The Voice tonight, Scandal the next night, but the day after that was Friday. I didn’t want him to think I had Fridays free. Or Saturdays. And Sundays were not date days. That took me to next week Monday.

“Sorry for the late notice.”

“It’s fine.” I bit my lower lip. I didn’t want to miss Scandal as the previous week had ended on such a cliff-hanger, but I didn’t want to delay the possibility of starting to get information until next week. “What about Friday?” I paused and chewed on my lower lip as I threw out the day. I didn’t want him to think I was a loser with no date on Friday night, but I also didn’t want to miss a prime TV night.

“Friday is great.” He sounded excited. “I can pick you up around 7?”

“That’s okay. I’ll meet you at the restaurant.”

“Awesome. Do you prefer steak or seafood?”

I wasn’t sure if this was a test. What would most women say? I prefer a place with good salads? I hadn’t really dated since college and then dates had consisted of pizza and the odd trip to a chain Italian restaurant. “Steak,” I said nonchalantly. “I’m going for lobster tomorrow night.”

“Oh, another date?”

“Well, you know,” I said smoothly. A date with the TV, yes.

“You’re a beautiful girl, that doesn’t surprise me. I’m sure many men want to date you.”

“Yeah, it’s hard being so beautiful,” I said melodramatically while cringing inside. There was no way he was buying this, was there?

“I bet it is. Can I take you to a movie as well?”

“Dinner and a movie, is Friday going to be my lucky night or what?”

“I hope so.” He chuckled into the phone. “I hope it’s a night that we’ll both really enjoy.”

“I’m sure it will be.” I jumped off my bed and walked to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. It was too easy talking to him. I had to keep reminding myself why I was talking to him.

“It’s so refreshing to meet a girl like you, Bianca. I’m used to so many women playing hard to get or pretending they’re not interested in me. I like a woman who’s honest. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun.”

“Yeah, I’m sure we will.”

“I’d love to take you away for the weekend.”

“This weekend?” Oh, shit!

“I guess you’re busy this weekend?”

“Yes, I am.” Oh no, no, no, no, no. What was he hoping was going to happen? Though I knew that was a stupid question. I knew exactly what he wanted to happen.