Page 24 of The Boyfriend Swap

Patting my thigh, Perry said, “Cherry here…” He laughed. “I call her Cherry Bomb because of her gorgeous red hair and her explosive personality.” He turned to me and, ignoring my horrified expression, continued his ridiculous story. “Your daughter saw me act in the Off Broadway production ofSheer Madness. Impressed by my performance…” He chuckled. “…or maybe it was my biceps—my part was too small to really display my acting chops—she stayed after to get my autograph. When she asked where else she could find me, I told her I worked part time as a waiter at Carmines.” Looking almost apologetic, he explained, “I’m the quintessential struggling artist, you see. I live in a rent-stabilized residence exclusively reserved for actors, but I need the extra income for the many other expenses involved in trying to get ahead.”

Leaning forward in interest, my mom said, “For instance?” while even my father appeared mesmerized by Perry’s narrative.

“I like to get new headshots twice a year, and trying to perfect my audition video for agents costs a pretty penny too. My manager is great, but an agent can take me to another level, you know?”

My dad nodded. “Sure I do. We work with actors every day. Don’t we, Sid?”

I opened and closed my mouth like a guppy. “Uh-huh,” I said as my head spun. How was this happening? My dad was supposed to hear the word “waiter” and promptly leave the room.

“Anyway, I never expected to see Cherry here again.” Perry grinned at me. “So imagine my surprise when she showed up a few nights later at Carmines. She pretended it was a coincidence, and I let her think I believed her.” He kissed the top of my head.

My mom downed the rest of her cocktail. “Unheard of. Our Sidney going to such lengths to meet a fellow?” The liquor clearly going to her head, she whooped, “I’ll be damned.”

“I have that effect on women,” Perry said, draping his arms around me. As I stiffened against him, he squeezed me tighter.

“I can’t wait to hear more about you over dinner,” my mom said before beaming at me. “I’m glad Sidney finally found someone worthy enough to bring home to her family. It’s been too long.”

“I might be able to help you with that agent search. And we do creative agreements if you need legal representation,” my dad said.

Perry smiled wide before whispering, “This is going well,” into my ear.

All I could do in the presence of my parents was nod agreeably, but as far as I was concerned, things could not have gone worse if choreographed by Satan himself.

Chapter 7

Robyn

“Remember when Jordon used to follow Will and the other older boys around the neighborhood? All the big boys with their multiple gear bikes and little Jordy on his one speed. Adorable.” My mom reached over and ruffled my brother’s thick head of wavy black hair.

Shifting away from her, Jordy said, “I recall no such thing.”

Pleased to mock my baby brother, I teased, “Poor scrawny Jordy.” He was three years younger than Will and had looked every one of those years when we were kids.

“Not so scrawny anymore,” Jordy said, flexing his impressive muscles.

“Seriously, dude,” Will said. “When did you get so big?”

“As a certified personal trainer, it’s kind of my job.” With a sheepish smile, he said, “Plus, I was sick of getting my ass kicked at bars.”

My mom turned her bright eyes on me. With a hand on her heart, she said, “And you.”

I knew it was coming and my heart stopped. “Please don’t, Mom,” I begged.

Dismissing my plea, she continued, “If someone told a teenage Robyn that one day Will Brady would be her boyfriend, she’d want to grow up immediately. Dreams really do come true.” Dabbing her eyes with a napkin dramatically, she said, “I think I might cry.”

I could hear Will’s intake of breath and, feeling like I was pushed out of an airplane, I tightened my fist around my fork as if it were a parachute. Will was never supposed to know I had his senior picture in my hope chest along with Josh Duhamel’s and Johnny Depp’s. But as long as my mother exhibited enough diplomacy to describe my feelings for Will back then as your average teenage crush and not what it really was—a full-on obsession—I might survive it.

“I’ll never forget the day Robyn ran into the house to announce a new family had moved a few doors down across the street. She must have only been about nine, because I still recall the way her pigtails bobbed up and down as she danced around the kitchen in glee because the boy in the family wassocute and looked to be around her age. I swear, from the day you moved in until the day you left for college, she talked about you nonstop.” She beamed at me. “And now, all these years later, you guys are dating. Better late than never, right?”

My mother’s shocking admission on my behalf resulted in a deafening silence, and my beating heart threatened to explode inside my chest. I struggled to find my voice until I felt Will’s foot jab my leg under the table. I couldn’t look at him.

“I honestly had no idea. It’s too bad because I always thought she was cute too. Better late than never, indeed.” His lips gently brushed against my cheek.

He was a typical attorney—quick on his feet—and it was sweet of him to play along, but I still couldn’t face him. I stared down at my plate of cucumber and tomato salad, waiting for my body temperature to return to normal.

“Remember how jealous you were of his girlfriend? What was her name?” my mom asked.

“I don’t recall,” I mumbled. Of course I remembered Adrienne, the feisty redheaded cheerleader Will dated in high school for a couple of months. His taste hadn’t changed much.

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