Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins Page B

want to have to think about her at all.
    And yet, as I fall asleep she fills my dreams.
    We begin to square dance together to that horrid badonkadonk song, and we’re both quite good. But it’s one of those dreams that’s so fucking weird you wish you couldn’t remember it. In my dream, Celeste cuts in on our dance. This angers Anna, who slides over to the bartender, snogging him to makeme jealous. I wake early, flustered and frustrated, and I realize I’ve been going about this all wrong.
    I’ve been trying to have my cake and eat it, too. I’m not doing myself any favors by letting Anna know I’m sleeping with other chicks. Jealousy often helps get girls right where you want them, but not Anna. She’s not going to offer herself up just to keep me from going to another. I vow to be nicer for the rest of the trip. And when I leave to work at night, I will pretend I’m doing something else. What a bloody knobhead I’ve been.
    I’m feeling bright and chipper at breakfast after my revelation, especially after I realize Anna has long since forgiven me for my Hulk Smash moment with the lamp. I flirt with her, teasing her, giving her every bit of my attention. I watch her blush and listen to her giggle. I’m determined to win that body over if it’s the last bleedin’ thing I do. I even let her drive.
    I don’t expect Anna to have such a lead foot, and naturally her need for speed turns me on. I play game after game on my mobile to distract myself.
    â€œDo you mind if we stop?” she asks.
    I look up at the small Native American reservation, which piques my interest. “Not at all.”
    New Mexico is hot as hell—a dry heat that reminds me of the western Cape of South Africa. The reservation has an old-world feel that gives me a false sense of ease. Anna is in her element, flitting around like a butterfly and smiling at everyone.
    I watch her examine jewelry, spending an especially long time staring at a turquoise necklace. It’s the perfect piece forher, shaped like a heart. She turns it over, holds it up, practically pets it, then looks at the price tag. She quickly sets it down and steps away. Curiosity tugs me to her side. She obviously adores it—why doesn’t she buy it? Then I recall her and her mum’s money problems, which are unheard of for a Neph. I catch sight of the price tag and feel indignant on Anna’s behalf. She should be able to have whatever she wants.
    â€œSee anything you like?” I ask.
    I think I startle her because she jumps a little and moves even farther away from the necklace.
    â€œYeah. It’s all beautiful, isn’t it?”
    Strange feelings wrestle around inside me. She won’t admit she likes the necklace, as if she feels shameful for coveting it.
    â€œCan I . . . get you something?”
    Her neck and cheeks turn bright pink. “Oh. No. I don’t need anything, but thank you.”
    It’s baffling. She’d probably rather die than ask me to buy it for her. But I really want her to have it.
    Whoa. I blink, desperately needing to examine the reasons behind this feeling.
    Girls like gifts.
    It will make her think I care.
    This little gem could get me laid.
    Those are my only reasons. Right? Right.
    Sold.
    But not in front of her. I don’t think she’ll allow it, and I don’t want a scene. So I send her out to cool off the car while I buy drinks. The old whittling bloke gives me a knowing nod as I present the necklace and drinks.
    â€œFor your love,” he says in a dry, crackly voice.
    My stomach swoops in an arc. I let out a dry laugh. “No, no. Nothing like that.”
    He gives another knowing nod, accompanied by a grin this time. I want to tell the old fool to take back his cursed words. Now I feel jumpy. I pay and get out of there as fast as I can. I hope Anna wasn’t listening.
    She’s clueless when I climb in and hand her a drink. My brain is