His response is immediate.
Z: I do a lot of things I shouldn’t.
My heart flutters at his words. Kissing and touching me are definitely at the top of the list, but he did it anyway.
Me: Perhaps you should turn over a new leaf. Try being good for a change.
Z: How’s that working out for you, Miss B?
Me: Fabulous.
Z: I can hear your sarcasm from a mile away.
Me: A mile? Where are you?
Z: It’s a joke. Where did the douchebag take you anyway? Obviously not anywhere good if you’re sneaking in texts to me.
Me: The new Italian place downtown. It smells good, but my date is late.
Z: Need a fill in? I’m actually three miles away, but I could be there in five.
The thought of him sharing a meal with me thrills me. However, that cannot happen. Not while he’s a student at Brown High.
Me: He’ll be here soon. No need to worry about me.
Z: Just get shitfaced. That’ll get you through the boring date. You can sneak off to the bathroom and call me if you need entertaining.
Me: I don’t drink. I’ll have to endure the boredom without any aides.
Z: That doesn’t surprise me. You really are a good girl. Don’t forget to call me later, beautiful, so I don’t worry.
My chest tightens at his words. Had I met Zane anywhere aside from school, I know we would’ve hit it off right off the bat. I wouldn’t even mind the age gap if he were just a few years older and if seeing him didn’t affect my employment. Life never works out the way it’s supposed to.
As if on cue, a handsome man in an expensive suit struts in. He has the same air of superiority my father does. Smug. Arrogant. Untouchable. His gait is no-nonsense as he approaches me, as if doing me a favor by showing up finally.
“You must be Kerry,” he says, a forced smile on his face. “Sorry about my tardiness. I’m working on a big case that’s stolen nearly all of my free time. Forgive me, sweetheart.”
I cringe because it’s the same endearment Daddy uses, not to mention spoken in the same condescending tone.
“It’s fine. Sean, is it?”
“Excuse my manners. Sean Gentry.” He shakes my hand and then glances at my phone still in the grip of my other one. “I hope I’ll have your attention tonight and not that.”
Heat burns up my neck, settling on my cheeks. I feel like I’ve been chastised for being impolite and I haven’t even done anything wrong. Like the dutiful girl I am, I mutter out an apology before shoving my phone into my purse.
“Thank you.” He flashes me a shark-like grin, revealing all his white, shiny teeth. “Now let’s get you a drink.”
Me: Save me.
Z: Really?
Me: No, I’m kidding. But you were right. Lamest date ever. He wasn’t thrilled when I declined wine and asked for sweet tea instead.
Z: There’s my good girl.
My heart patters in my chest at his words. I shouldn’t be texting him, but compared to the kiss we shared, it feels far more innocent. Besides, I promised I’d check in.
Me: I should get back out there. If I waste any more time hiding in the bathroom, he might suspect I’m avoiding him and texting. I already got in trouble once for having my phone.
Z: You? In trouble? Sorry, I can’t imagine it.
Me: Oh, I was in trouble. It would have made you proud.
Z: Did you take your hair down for him?
On a whim, I take a selfie.
Me: No, I only do that for you.
Rather than waiting for his reply, I shove my phone down into my purse and take a calming breath before exiting the bathroom. I’m on a date with a man my daddy wants me to be with and I’m ruining it by texting with my hot student. It’s horrible, but I don’t feel guilty. I didn’t want to go on this date in the first place. If Daddy would stop to consider what I want for once, he’d know this.
When I reach the table, our food is sitting there. Sean hasn’t touched his and his expression is cool. I guess I spent more time in the bathroom than I thought.
“This looks amazing,” I say, unable to keep the nervous quiver from my voice. “Thank you for waiting on me.”
“Of course, sweetheart.”
The meal is extra salty. I want to complain to the waiter and have them remake it, but based on the disapproving glare Sean is giving me, I don’t think it’s wise. I gulp down my sweet tea, hoping to wash it down instead. The waiter refills my tea and disappears again.
“You see that guy over there,” he says, pointing behind me. “He works at the firm with your father and me.”
I twist in my seat to see who he’s pointing at. The room spins, immediately making me nauseous. Squeezing my eyes shut, I will the woozy feeling to disappear. Slowly, I reopen my eyes and turn back to Sean. There’s a glint in his eyes I don’t trust.
“Feeling okay, sweetheart?”
“I’m not sure the food is sitting right,” I admit. “It was a little salty.”
“You should have told me,” he challenges, his eyes darkening. “We could have returned it.”
“It’s fine,” I say, picking up my tea glass. I’m bringing it to my lips when I notice white residue on top.
“Is there a problem?”
“I, uh, no. I think I might throw up. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back.”
“Let me grab the check,” he says, faux concern in his voice. “I’ll run you home too, since you don’t seem to be feeling so well.”
It takes everything in me to keep from wobbling or puking on my way to the restroom. Once inside, I lock myself in a stall and fish my phone out. Everything is spinning too much to text, so I dial Zane.
“Must have been lame if—”
“Zane,” I croak out. “I think…I think I’ve been drugged.”
“What?” The furious growl has me bursting into tears. “Hey, beautiful,” he says, his voice softening, “talk to me. Explain what happened.”
“I went to the…I went to the bathroom. When I came back, the…the food was there and…I…it was salty.” I lean my head against the metal stall wall. “I drank my tea. He, uh, distracted me. When I looked in my glass…I can’t be sure, but…Zane, I don’t feel so good.”
“I’m on my way, Kerry, okay? Don’t worry. I’m coming to get you.”
I swipe at the tears on my cheek. “He says he’s going to take me home.”
“You’re not going anywhere with that douchebag. Stay put. Promise me.”