Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
CLARA
M ichael turns up in a huge SUV, custom-made with blacked-out windows. It has a personalized number plate and leather seats with bespoke stitching.
I’m not impressed. I prefer Atom’s bike over this any day of the week, and as he holds the passenger door open, I refrain from complimenting him on his choices.
He is trying. I’ll give him that. His choice of clothing is black chinos and a white button-down shirt. The leather belt has his initials in the buckle and the tan brogues he is wearing are probably handmade and his dark glasses and wristwatch are expensive. I’m guessing mom is watching from her turret, almost salivating at the prospects this ‘date’ will deliver and I sigh inside. The sooner I get this over with, the better.
“So, you are my guide. Where will we go first?” He smiles pleasantly as he takes his seat behind the wheel.
“The country club, I’m guessing.”
My plan is to hook up with a few friends at the club and try to swing his attention onto one of them. There are enough entitled princesses there to keep him busy for decades.
We sweep out of the driveway and he says amiably, “You have a beautiful home.”
I roll my eyes. “Thank you. I’ll pass on your admiration to my parents.”
I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m still antsy about mom’s reaction to Atom yesterday and I sigh heavily.
“Look, I’m sorry if I’m edgy. I had an argument with my mom and I’m still angry. I shouldn’t take it out on you.”
“Parents.” He chuckles softly. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“It wouldn’t hurt, I guess.”
He has gifted me the perfect opportunity to make my position clear, so I say brusquely, “She doesn’t approve of my boyfriend.”
I detect a tightening of his hands on the wheel, but his voice is even in his reply. “That sucks.”
“It does because I really like the guy and whatever my parents say won’t change that.”
“They wouldn’t approve. Why not?”
“Because he doesn’t have the right credentials. He’s not a member of the country club—which is a terrible sin in their book—apparently.”
“I see your problem. So, what happens now?”
I point to the right at the junction and, as he turns, I shrug. “I don’t need their permission. I’m officially an adult now.”
“They may make things difficult for you, though.”
“They could, but they won’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m my father’s daughter and there are ways of getting what I want.”
He laughs out loud. “I knew I liked you, Clara. It’s just a shame someone else got there first.”
“They did.”
He says casually. “So, how long have you been seeing him?”
“A couple of days.”
“Wow. And you really think that much of him to risk pissing off your parents. I must meet this guy.”
“It’s complicated.”
I study my perfect manicure and he says softly, “Where did you meet him?”
“High school.”
“But I thought you said you’d only been together for a couple of days.”
“It’s true. You see, he was a couple of years above me and left. I knew back then I liked him, but we never even spoke. I heard he went to Easy Joes, a bar in town and so as soon as I could, I got a job there clearing tables just so I could see him again.”
He falls silent and I doubt he approves of me taking a low-paid job to crush on some guy, but I don’t care.
“Anyway, I was working on my birthday, and he told me he was coming to meet me after my shift. Apparently, the attraction was mutual, and it turned out I had been on his radar too. Well, the rest, as they say, is history and now I want to be with him, whatever that takes.”
“I can’t pretend I’m not disappointed, Clara.”
“Why?” I’m not sure why I asked because it’s obvious and he sighs.
“I like you. You are everything I search for in a girlfriend and I kind of hoped the feeling was mutual. Friendship will do though, if that’s okay with you.”
I turn to him and smile. “Friends is fine by me.”
I point to the right. “We’re here. Now, if you’re searching for a girlfriend, I may have just what you’re looking for.”
We head inside and straight to the bar and, as expected, my close group of friends are in residence.
“Clara, over here.”
Clarissa calls and as we head over, I couldn’t have staged this better myself. Clarissa is your typical Californian blonde. She was head cheerleader and dated the quarterback all through high school. They’ve just broken up because he moved away and she is searching for an adequate replacement, as she put it.
She stares at Michael with interest, and I make the introductions.
“Clarissa, meet Michael. He’s new in town and could use some friends.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Michael.”
Clarissa bats her eyelashes and I must admit she is one cute girl standing there in her white tennis dress, her hair tied back in a sleek ponytail, her pink manicured fingers holding a glass of champagne.
“I’m very pleased to meet you Clarissa.” Michael is polite, but his smile holds none of the warmth it has when directed my way and my heart sinks.
I nod toward the couch in the corner overlooking the courts.
“We may as well take a seat. Are any of the others here?”
“Grady and Jerome are playing singles and I believe Hen is showering. Louisa is working out with her PT but won’t be long.”
She turns to Michael, interest flashing in her eyes.
“So, Michael. Tell me what brings you to town.”
“My parents moved here and are setting up their business.”
“Which is?”
“Security and imports.”
Clarissa’s eyes glaze over and I laugh to myself. She may as well have asked him about the state of his checking account because that is all that concerns her. We are joined by Grady and Jerome, who smile at Michael with interest.
I make my introductions and as the guys chat, I whisper to Clarissa, “What do you think of Michael?”
“I’m not sure.” She pulls on her lower lip with her teeth. “There’s something I can’t place. It’s in his eyes. They are cold.”
My heart sinks. Hopefully I’ll have better luck with Henrietta or Louisa.
I can’t keep my secret for long and whisper, “I’m seeing someone.”
Clarissa’s hand flies to her mouth and her eyes shine with excitement. “Who?”
This is big news because I’ve never shown an interest in dating anyone before and I can’t wait to see the expression in her eye when I tell her.
“Atom.”
“No way.” Her mouth drops and then she giggles. “Man, you are so lucky. I’m guessing you haven’t told your folks.”
“I have and mom nearly fainted.”
Clarissa bursts out laughing as Louisa joins us.
After introducing her to Michael, Clarissa pulls her aside and whispers, “Tell her, Clara.”
I fill her in and Louisa’s reaction is much the same as Clarissa’s.
“You are one lucky bitch. I’ll give you that.” She says, jealously lacing her words, and she shakes her head.
“Enjoy it while it lasts and please tell me you’ve had sex and if so, I want all the gory details. That man has starred in too many of my fantasies and I want all the dirty deets.”
I say nothing but my smirk answers for me and as Henrietta flops down in the seat beside me, Clarissa hisses. “We need all the details, and I’m calling an emergency meeting tonight at my house.”
“I’m busy.”
I giggle at the jealous expressions all around me and Hen sighs. “I wish I was your kind of busy. Way to go, Clara, you’ve scored a home run.”
The guys glance over and Jerome says, “What’s up?”
“Nothing.” We all say at once and then giggle again, causing the guys to roll their collective eyes.
Michael says nothing but stares at the scene with a thoughtful expression and then Grady turns to him and says, “If you fancy it, a group of us are heading to the game tonight. You’re welcome to join us.”
“Sure.”
Thankfully, we are now off the topic of my love life and as I settle back in the chair, a warm feeling spreads through me when I picture exactly who I will be doing tonight. In fact, I can’t wait and I wasn’t kidding earlier. I meant what I said. I will fight for my right to date whoever I want, and my parents are not standing in my way.