Page 65 of Brie's Submission
It was such a basic question, but it got a bizarre response. Mary turned beet red and twitched in her seat. Then she grabbed her rum and Coke and downed half of it. “It’s stupid. I don’t want to talk about it.”
Lea crinkled her brow in disgust. “Seriously, you won’t even talk about that? You suck.”
Mary remarked snidely, “I suck better than you, Gagalicious.”
Brie slammed her fist on the bar counter. “That’s enough, Mary. I brought you along because I wanted to get to know you and have a few laughs. But if you plan on being a bitch the whole night, then leave. Lea and I don’t need that shit.”
Mary put her hands in the air in a mocking sign of surrender. “Whoa, don’t get your panties in a wad there, Brie.”
Lea held up her glass threateningly. “You’d better leave now if you don’t want this drink in your face.”
Mary gathered her purse and stood up, but then she settled back in her chair. She quickly finished off her drink and asked the bartender for another one. “Oh, and get these girls whatever they want…and double it.” She added with a smirk, “Apparently, they need to be drunk to stand me.”
“Are you going to behave?” Brie asked.
“Yes, Miss Bennett.”
Brie relaxed a little and gave Lea a nudge with her shoulder. “You can put your drink down, Lea.” Then she addressed Mary. “So why did you choose to be a pharmacist?”
“If you must know, I became a pharmacist because of the movieIt’s a Wonderful Life.”
Lea lifted her glass up again and growled, “What? Do you have to make a joke about everything? Brie just asked you a serious question.”
Mary snapped, “Iambeing serious, damn it. And if you give me a hard time I’m going to punch one of your fake boobs!”
Brie quickly scootched her stool in between the two of them. “Okay, so how did an old Christmas movie make you want to become a pharmacist?”
Mary huffed irritably before answering. “You know the scene where the pharmacist accidentally gives the wrong medication that could have killed the child? Well, when I saw that growing up, I knew that’s what I wanted to be because I wouldnevermake that mistake. In my mind, a dedicated pharmacist is an unsung hero.”
“I definitely never thought of it that way before,” Lea commented, sipping her drink instead of splashing it over Mary.
“But aren’t you too young to be a pharmacist?” Brie asked, knowing it took years of extra schooling.
“I graduated early.” She shrugged indifferently. “It’s not a big deal if you’re smart and motivated.”
Brie looked at her rival with more respect. “Who would guess an old black and white movie could inspire someone’s life?” She stared directly into Mary’s eyes, wanting her to know she was being sincere when she added, “I don’t think you should be embarrassed about your reasons for wanting to be a pharmacist. It shows an intriguing side to your character.” Brie clinked her glass against Mary’s and took a sip.
Lea leaned in, instantly changing the subject. “So, what do you guys think of Marquis Gray?”
“It’s easy to see whatyouthink,” Mary said, rolling her eyes. “Don’t think we aren’t aware of all those lusty stares you give the man.”
“Am I that obvious?” Lea asked in concern.
Brie nodded. “The only reason I consented to a flogging was the way you looked at him after he ‘punished’ you.”
Lea blushed a nice shade of pink, all the way down to her overabundant cleavage. “Oh, but he does know how to whip a girl. I’m grateful for any session I get with Marquis.”
Brie shuddered pleasantly, remembering her own experience. “Heisquite talented with the flogger.” Then she frowned and added, “Although…his dark eyes scare me. It’s as if they see straight into my soul and discover things evenIdon’t know about myself. It’s freaky.”
Mary grumbled, “I don’t know what is wrong with that man. He hasn’t shown any interest in teaching me, and I’m obviously the one who wants what he has to offer.”
Brie was afraid to share her thoughts, knowing how sensitive Mary was about her past. She was certain Marquis Gray didn’t want to train Mary until she had worked through the unresolved issues stemming from her violent childhood.
Lea jumped back in and asked, “What about Ms. Clark?”
“She’s a bitch,” Brie answered.
“Hear, hear!” Mary lifted her glass.
