His Dream Role by Shannyn Schroeder Page B

new suit his dad insisted on buying him. Cary leaned against the door frame. “It won’t bite. I promise.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œDon’t be nervous. It’s just a party. These people are already clients. You don’t need to convince them of anything.”
    â€œThat makes it worse. I could sell my skills. I excel at talking numbers. I’m not good at selling myself.”
    Cary crossed his arms. “You managed to sell yourself to a beautiful girl.”
    â€œI’m still trying to figure that one out.” He flopped back on the bed. “I was in character when I won her over. I didn’t have to be me.”
    The mattress dipped as Cary sat on the corner. “Even in costume, you’re still you. And if you didn’t show her yourself, she wouldn’t still be going out with you.”
    â€œAdam told me to treat tonight like I’m playing a role. I can’t figure out who to be.”
    Cary smacked his thigh. “That’s easy. If you’re not going to be yourself, be Bond.”
    â€œI thought it was be Batman.”
    Cary laughed. “You’ll never have the muscles for Batman, but you can pull off Bond.”
    This time, Free laughed. James Bond was a suave womanizer. Even on his best day, Free failed at simple flirting. He had, however, seen all of the James Bond films.
    Free rolled off the bed and stood in front of the new suit. It was a badass suit.
    â€œGet dressed and we’ll go together. I’ll show you the ropes.” Cary stood and left the room. Too bad Cary didn’t have that confidence at the gym. Cary had been a shy kid but he’d learned early that people liked to laugh. So he had an anecdote for every situation.
    If Free could learn that one skill, he’d survive socializing, but Free knew he tended to just sound like a nerd, so he kept his mouth shut.
    He dressed in the suit and felt oddly comfortable in it. Although he’d worn suits when interning with his dad over the summers, he rarely ever wore them during the school year. Slipping into one now made him feel like he was headed into the office. Being in the office relaxed him. There he only had to worry about numbers. Numbers made sense. People didn’t.
    Sam was proof of that. Not only did he have a hard time wrapping his head around her actually liking him, but the things she saw while volunteering cemented how little people made sense. Yet she forged ahead day after day in an attempt to make a difference. He respected her for it, but he couldn’t fully understand. He knew he couldn’t do that.
    When he left his room, Free stopped in the hall at the sight of Cary. He saw his brother dressed in a suit most days, but he, too, had a new suit courtesy of their father. He looked amazing. The weight loss was noticeable. Without a doubt, Cary would steal the show tonight.
    They drove to the banquet hall together, Cary filling the silence with information about clients. Cary knew names of family members and hobbies and general happenings in the lives of their clients. It was one of the reasons people gravitated toward him. Free listened intently, making mental notes. If Cary pointed these people out at the party, he might actually be able to make conversation.
    Maybe he should just stick to Cary’s side and let him lead. Free could jump in with an occasional question so people knew he was paying attention, but he wouldn’t have to initiate anything. Another plan hatched. It would be the gym scenario in reverse.
    By the time they parked, Free was feeling more confident about the party. Inside, they were directed to one of the small banquet rooms. Their parents were there already, as were a few others. Free recognized some of the employees, so he figured no clients had arrived yet.
    â€œBoys, glad you came early.” Anthony Mitchell spoke with his arms wide in welcome for his sons. With some men, the gesture might seem fake, but with Anthony,