AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re not going together.”
“Technically, we’ll be in the same vehicle, hence—we’re going together.”
Sadie pokes me in the arm, then blinks as though surprised by the muscles there. Which, of course, I happened to be flexing.
“Who sayshencethese days? Is that a rich boy thing?”
“Who pokes people when they disagree? Is that a hacker thing?”
She gives me a narrow-eyed look, then pokes me again before taking a step backward. “Honestly? Can you ever just smile without looking like you’re up to something?”
“What am I up to?” I ask. “You requested a ride, and I said yes.”
She steps closer again, close enough that her folded arms brush against my chest. “This is a fun game for you, isn’t it?”
“Who said anything about playing a game?”
“Oh, come on. You think I don’t know anything about you? Idowork with computers, and I know how to use them better than most people. I’m particularly good at unearthing secrets.”
Something about her tone makes me nervous, and I have to remind myself I don’t actually have anything to hide. I stand by every business decision I’ve ever made. My mother always stressed the importance of maintaining integrity, and I’ve never forgotten her counsel.
“Exactly how many supermodels have you entertained on this boat?” Sadie asks. “Two dozen? Three?”
Ah.She meansthosekinds of secrets. Immediately, I feel guilty. But I haven’t betrayed Sadie or anyone else. Yes, I’ve entertained models and heiresses and even an actress or two. I definitely wasn’t involved with most of them, but knowing Sadie has read gossip implying Iwasmakes me feel … I don’t know.Squirmy.
I resist the urge to catalog my real, not-all-that-exciting dating history for her. “Are you admitting that you googled me, Sadie? You were that curious, huh?”
“It felt more like searching for the source of an irritating skin rash, butyes.I googled you. And I have your number, Benedict King. So you can put that million-dollar smile away whenever I’m around because I’mnotinterested.”
All I hear when she says she’snotinterested is that she has to be at least alittle bitinterested or she wouldn’t have to say it. Right? Seems logical to me.
Unless she really believes everything she’s read about me. Or if she buys the part I’m so used to playing. I’d be disappointed if she does. I’d expect more from someone like Sadie.
“So you’ve said,” I say. “More than once, actually. I’m beginning to wonder if you’re trying to convincemeor convinceyourself.”
She barks out a laugh. “Ha! That’s a good one.”
“I’m glad you think I’m so funny. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to change before we go to the party. There might be women in attendance, and since you googled me, you know exactly how much I love to impress the ladies.”
These last words leave a bad taste in my mouth, because despite my carefully crafted reputation, I have no desire to impress anyone at tonight’s party. Unless we’re talking about Sadie, but I’m pretty sure no amount of effort, certainly not anything Iwear,is going to help me in that regard. These words are all about needling Sadie, and based on the way she wrinkles her nose, they landed exactly as I hoped.
Though Sadie may not care, I still choose my clothes carefully, picking the shirt that I know makes my blue eyes pop the most, spending extra time tousling my hair just right. I even spray on a little cologne. I’m a glutton for punishment, I guess.
In the mirror, I look like the man Sadie seems to think I am: a carefree rich boy.
But Sadie doesn’t know me as well as she thinks she does. Not the real me beneath the obvious exterior. And it grates onme the same way it grated when I made the comment about impressing other women.
It’s never mattered before if people believe what they read about me on the internet. I know the truth, as do my closest friends, which is admittedly a small circle. But for some reason, it matters with Sadie.
Maybe because she’s Eloise’s sister, and Jake and Eloise are the closest thing I have to family. Jake has always been like a brother to me, but extending that relationship to include his wife has been highly beneficial. Lo softens my best friend and brings out his good side faster than anyone. He’s always been loyal, but now he’s almost likable. This past year, my little circle expanded to include Merritt and Hunter too.
It’s a believable story—that I only care about Sadie because of her connection to my closest friends.
But when I leave my room and find Sadie on the deck ofThe Oakleywearing a deep blue dress, Jake and Eloise couldn’t be further from my mind.
FOUR
Sadie
