Page 34 of Saltwater Memories
Chapter 13
“Are youkiddingme?” Morgan said as she threw her arms down at her sides.
Amanda closed her eyes. “No, I’m not. But it isn’t that simple, I don’t – ”
“Of course it’s that simple! First of all, you might get more information about Lenny. And second of all, it’s amasqueradeball! Do you know what I would do to get into a real-life masquerade ball?”
“Oh yes, we all know,” Jade said with a smile.
Amanda sighed. After Will had invited her to be his plus one at this company ball, she broke down and told Jade everything. She felt guilty that Will had dropped off all of that stuff when she was sick; she felt guilty that she’d hidden things from Jade; and most of all, she felt guilty that Will seemed to…care about her.
“I honestly don’t get the problem,” Morgan said.
“I’m starting to feel…weird about all of this,” Amanda said slowly. “I feel bad. I don’t want to lead Will on.”
“He’s a rich jerk who only cares about money. You said it yourself! And obviously, if he’s willing to work with someone as scummy as Lenny, then he’s questionable too.”
“That’s not true,” said Jade. “He may not know anything about Lenny. He might just be trying to do his job. And I don’t know, Amanda. I think that…well, that he really likes you.”
“Who cares!” Morgan said, standing up from her seat on the couch. “What part of scummy goon are you not seeing! Also, do you think that there’s any way I can get an invite?”
Amanda laughed. “I don’t think so.”
Jade continued. “And I’m not so sure that Will is a jerk. What about all that stuff he brought over when Amanda was sick?”
Morgan waved a hand. “That’s just salesmanship. Like when your realtor buys you a bottle of champagne after you close on a house.”
“How many houses have you closed on?” asked Amanda.
“Uh, none,” Morgan said, crossing her arms. “But I have friends. And I’ve seen things! He’s just…a really good salesman.”
“Maybe.” Amanda sat for a moment, staring at Jade, who was suddenly entirely too quiet. “What is it, Jade? You think that this is all a terrible idea, don’t you?”
“I wouldn’t saythat.” Jade shrugged. “I just think…”
“What? You can say it.”
“Well, it seems like you’ve been having a lot of fun with Will. You guys are always hanging out, and he seems willing to drop everything to spend time with you.”
Amanda shook her head. “Like Morgan said, it’s probably just him being a charming salesman. And besides, I’m not interested in Will. Rupert and I have been patching things up.”
Jade and Morgan shot a look at each other.
“What?” Amanda said, hands on her hips.
“I hate to admit it, but Jade’s right,” Morgan said. “You’ve spent a lot more time with Will than with Rupert. We’ve never even seen the guy.”
“He wasgoingto come up and visit, but then I got sick. And he’s very busy.”
“We just don’t know Rupert,” Jade said gently.
“Well you don’t know Will either,” Amanda said. “Morgan, you make good points. This party could be a treasure trove of information. I have to go.”
Morgan squealed. “Yes! Now are yousurethat you don’t want to ask Will if I can come?”
Amanda laughed. “I’m sorry, this is a one-woman mission.” She looked at Jade, who was still sitting with a perturbed expression on her face. “Don’t worry Jade – nothing bad will happen. If I see Lenny, I’ll just get out of there.”
“It’s not that,” Jade said with a faint smile. “I just…I don’t know. Good luck.”
