Page 95 of Girls Will Be Girls
“Oh.” He nods, and I instantly see the spark of pity in his eyes. The same one all guys like him give you when they think you’re having to write about this stuff because you couldn’t hack it in therealjournalist circles. “Sounds fun.” He says.
“It is,” I say, with a hint of bitterness in my voice.
“I’m actually glad I caught you.” He says.
“You are?”
“Yeah.” The charming politician smile both he and Lou do so well spreads across his face. “I thought it’d be good if we got to know each other better. Just the two of us.”
“Just the two of us?” I repeat, feeling wary.
“Yeah.” He nods. “I know this job, and know that Lou is away a lot, so it would be nice if we could be friends.”
“You saying you want to hang out with me while Lou’s away?”
He laughs gently. “Wouldn’t that be nice? It’s good to have an ally in our family, and I want to be yours.”
“I guess, but…” I shake my head, a little confused. “Why would I need an ally in your family?”
“You clearly don’t know the Duhl’s very well.” He smirks. “Trust me. You want an ally.”
I shrug. “I have Lou.”
“Yeah.” He nods. “But I know what Lou’s like.” He lets his words hang in the air as if I know what he means. I don’t.
“So if you ever needed a break or want someone to talk to about anything…” He strokes his finger along my knuckles where I’m holding my cup. “I can be that guy.”
He pulls his hand away from mine and smiles at me like I know exactly what he’s insinuating and like I’m completely into it.
This should be my cue to get up, avoid confrontation, and leave. Stamp down the uneasiness, the awkwardness of not wanting any part in this. I would normally never in a million years say anything. I would plaster on a fake smile, make an excuse, and leave.
But right now, I can’t bear to do that.
Right now, I want this pompous fucker who, for a second there I thought might be a decent human being, to get rejected. I can’t believe I let myself get sucked into Otto’s game.
I want to protect Lou. I want Otto to see that Lou wins from now on. As long as I’m around, Otto’s never winning again.
“Are you hitting on me?” I say. “Like,actuallyhitting on me?”
A disbelieving laugh escapes me as I stand up to gather my things.
“I was honestly beginning to believe that Lou was being too harsh when he told me about you. I thought he was just overreacting, that you can’t possibly be out to get him.” I laugh again, a little unhinged. “You areactuallyhitting on your brother’s fianceé in broad daylight, and you don’t even care.”
“Louisa.” He tries to calm me.
“You must really be a terrible person to do that to your own brother.” I shake my head at him in disgust. “Leave Lou alone, he’s too good for you,” I say. “And in fact, leave me alone, too.” I hoist my bag onto my shoulder and grab my drink off the table. “Eat shit, shit dick.”
16
BABY, WHEN I MET YOU THERE WAS DEFINITELY NO PEACE, BUT TONIGHT THERE BETTER BE TEQUILA
Casey:
You better have found an outfit!
Louisa:
HAPPY BIRTHDAAAAAAY
