Page 57 of Tempt Me

“Your paycheck.”

“Oh, right.” Bemused, I pulled it from my pocket.

What the heck did one do with a check, anyway?

18

I wasbold enough to pack a small overnight bag for my date with Jamila but less bold as I slung it over my shoulder and tiptoed down the stairs. I hoped Mother and Charles would sleep in after their arrival from Paris last night, but as I slunk past the dining room, Mother called out, “Natalie, darling. We’re in here.”

Sighing, I set down my bag in the hall and stepped into the dining room. Mother sat at the head, Charles to her right and Sam to her left. My sister slipped a slice of banana under the table to her tiny purse-destroying monster.

“Good trip?” I asked, bending to kiss Mother’s cheek.

“Wonderful,” she said with a soft sigh at Charles. “So romantic. Sit down, and we’ll tell you all about it.”

“Ew, no thanks.” The bratty baby of the family was an easy persona to slip into. I grabbed a strawberry from the fruit bowl. “I’m on my way out.”

“Where are you going?” Mother set her coffee cup into the saucer with a clink.

“Jamila’s. And I might stay overnight at her place.”

“Overnight?” Mother’s eyebrows rose. “Is Jamila driving you too hard?”

I was hoping she’d drive me hard tonight, right into her headboard. I popped the berry into my mouth to keep from having to answer.

Sam looked up from her phone. “Nat’s been working a lot lately. I hardly saw her while you two were gone.”

I flared my eyes at her. Traitor.

“Jamila’s an excellent influence,” Charles said. “She can give you the direction you need.”

“I bet she gives direction,” Sam muttered. She was snacking in the kitchen last Saturday night when I’d returned from Jamila’s, my hair wild and lipstick kissed onto my chin.

“When is your apartment going to be ready again?” I demanded

“Don’t fight, girls,” our mother said wearily. She’d said that phrase so often over the years it must have worn a groove in her throat. “Natalie, we were talking about Jamila’s influence on you.”

My cheeks burned. They must have been as red as the strawberries on the table. “She’s happy with my work so far. I got her an amazing spread inBuzz Bizz.”

“Honey, no one doubts your drive for success. You just need focus.” Charles gave me a gentle smile. “Jamila has that in spades. We’re hoping she’ll rub off on you.”

I held in a squeak. I hoped we’d mutually rub off on each other, in bed.

Snickering, Sam turned away to feed a blueberry to Bilbo Baggins.

“Okay, I’m out,” I said. “I’ll text you if I’m staying over. I might miss brunch tomorrow.”

“Before you go,” Mother said, “we need to talk about the picnic next weekend.”

“Picnic?” I froze in the doorway.

“Representative Crawford’s annual Memorial Day picnic. We’ll go and use the opportunity to talk to him about our literacy agenda.”

“Nope,” Sam said.

I wished I could blow off Mother like that, but I’d never been that strong.

“Natalie, dear, whom are you bringing?” Mother asked.

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