downstairs within the next five minutes, if he was on time. And she had to give him Jasonâs books anyway. She had devoured them during the week since she had a lot more free time without Sutton hanging around her apartment, distracting her. She decided not to give Jason her number, though. If he could convince his brother to give it to him, great. If Justin wouldnât pass on her number, fine. It was a lot to ask of someone, and, if he really cared, Jason could try to hunt her down.
Bree was slipping into her black silk evening coat, lined with a superfine, superwarm merino, when the night doorman called to let her know that her ride had arrived.
âThanks, Calvin,â she said, giving herself one last once-over in the full-length mirror. Golden silk stilettos peeked from the bottom of her coat, the same color as her hair. She approved of the packaging, but she was unimpressed with the soul inside.
âTime to get this over with,â she said sternly to her reflection, then she marched resolutely toward the elevator as fast as her high heels would allow.
Justin relaxed in the back of the limousine as if he spent every night in a custom-tailored tuxedo. He gleamed like a polished statue from the top of his freshly shaved scalp to the tips of his night-black shoes. Before he could say anything, even hello, Bree got in and dumped Jasonâs books in his lap.
âI canât go out with you tonight,â she said in a rush. âI donât think we should see each other anymore. Iâm really sorry. Bye.â
Bree flung herself towards the door, but Justin caught her hand.
âWait! Whatââ
âI donât want to talk about it, and you wouldnât want me to talk about it. So letâs just say goodbye, all right?â
âNo, itâs not all right! I know we just met, and we barely know each other, but I feel connected to you, Briona! I want to get to know you better!â
âJason?â
âI knew it was wrong to try to trick you. But I didnât know how you would feel about Justin giving out your numberââ
Bree took a closer look at Jason, fully realizing what heâd done for her. âYou shaved your head just for tonight?â
He shrugged, a desperate look on his face. âItâs just hair. Itâll grow back. I wanted to see you!â
Bree knew it would sound melodramatic, like something from A World Apart , but she had to say it: âYou do see me. From the moment we met, you saw through to the real me.â
Jason smiled, then pulled Bree into his arms. âSo you feel it too? Itâs not just in my head?â
âYes,â Bree assured him, cuddled to his chest. âBut what about your brother? How did you get him to switch with you? I feel so bad!â
Jason laughed. âI bribed him.â
âWith what? Basketball tickets?â
âI told him he didnât have to come see any of my plays for the next six months.â
Bree giggled. âGlad to hear Iâm so cheap!â
âYouâre not cheap, Briona. Youâre very precious. If Justin couldnât see how much there was to you, thatâs his problem.â
âWell, in that caseââ Bree kissed him, first lightly, then fiercely, clinging to him with both of her tiny gloved hands. She had come so close to losing any chance with Jason, she would never take any moment with him for granted, even if things didnât work out for them in the end. But it was hard for Bree to think about the future, good or bad, when she was twined around Jason, locked in a kiss that would melt all the ice in the champagne bucket if they didnât stop. Bree hoped that there was an icemaker hidden somewhere in the limo, because she didnât think she would ever let him go.
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BREE SEEMS HAPPY ENOUGH WITH HER CHOICE. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
turn to page 93 to see what would have happened if she decided to dump Justin, or turn to
Maggie Brendan
Barbara O'Connor
Jan Washburn
Terri Blackstock
Norah Simone
Barry Kemp
G.P. Taylor
Alan Cumyn
Linda Barnes
Lisa Jackson