The Pretend Boyfriend novel Chapter 36

Several people turn.

Cassie says to Sam in equally as loud a voice, "Is he still fucking around on you? I hope the penicillin did the trick on clearing up his syphilis."

More people turn. They wear amazed and mildly disgusted glances.

Sam says, "Now, Cassie, Brian is not fucking around on me. We're not a couple."

"Absolutely," Brian echoes.

"We're just hanging out."

"We practically have clothes hangers sticking on our backs."

Cassie regards Brian with a murderous stare. She says to Sam out of the corner of her mouth, "It's just that you deserve so much better than this ... this ... "

"Ah, words fail you to describe me," Brian remarks. "It must be my considerable charm."

"... prick," Cassie finishes. "He doesn't even have the decency to set you free instead of manipulating your emotions. That way, you can be rid of him and find a nice, decent guy of your own. Right now, he's just a millstone around your neck."

"I'm an independent woman with a mind of my own, and this is not the time and place to be discussing this." Sam glances meaningfully at the gathering people around them.

"We'd better be going in," Caleb says. "What are we watching tonight again?"

"Aida, you opera buff." Cassie digs a finger into his side.

"Ooof. Great. Is that the one set in China?"

"That's Turandot. Aida is set in ancient Egypt."

"Cool. I love mummies."

They all troop in before they can embarrass themselves any further. Brian buys them four programs. Sam hangs on to his arm. She's practically goggle-eyed, staring at everything and anyone.

"I feel like I'm at an Oscar party," she whispers.

He whispers back, "I feel like I'm at a colonoscopy."

"Be nice. Where's the senator? Do you see her?" She cranes her neck to peer over the heads of the shiny, dressy people.

He knows full well the senator isn't here. "If we see her, we see her. You can't miss her. She has a head shaped like a marshmallow."

They go in for the first act. Brian has gotten them balcony seats, right in the middle - in full view of the stage and the Sensurround caterwauling. In the box seat right across from them on the left, he spies his prey. He allows himself a congratulatory pat. Henry Moody and his wife are seated in their usual box, chatting to each other as the violins begin their concerted screeching.

Brian nudges Sam. "Look over there."

She looks. "Is that who I think it is?"

The lights dim, the audience applauds, and it's intermission.

"I have never approached a potential client before during an opera," Sam confesses.

He squeezes her fingers. "He's getting out of his box. You can do it."

"You knew he was going to be here, didn't you? You orchestrated the whole thing," she accuses.

"Scout's honor, I didn't know he was going to be here. It's a sign from somewhere beyond that ceiling - " he indicates the chandeliers " - that you were meant to land this account."

"Are you going to go or what?" Cassie says from behind him. "I have to go pee."

Brian grins and gives Sam his arm. "I'm in the Mood. Are you?"

"I've got to do this on my own," she says.

He understands. He kisses her on the forehead. "Go get them, tiger. I'll be waiting."

He watches her retreating back as she exits.

"Excuse me before I pee all over your feet," Cassie says as she elbows him.

"Hey, don't get your tits in a twist." He moves away so that Cassie can pass while purposefully treading on his toes.