Page 68 of Hell Hath No Fury
"Shows what you know," I reply, sounding like a ten year old.
"Nice," Mark replies. "Just be yourself. She's into you. She's going to be turned off by any smooth talking."
"Yeah, I know. She'd call me out and make me look like an asshole. This woman is going to be a challenge," I admit.
"Wouldn't be any fun if she wasn't, now would it?" Mark asks.
"No. She definitely holds my interest without even trying."
Mark shuffles his phone so there's crackling. "That's good, man."
"Hey, how did you come up with the Dating 101 thing anyway?" I question.
Mark and Alex both chuckle.
"Well," Mark begins. "When we were outside your room that morning, I kept thinking there had to be a way to keep the forced proximity going so you could spend time together and get to know each other better, you know?"
"Yeah," I reply. Suspicion floods me. Shit.
"So, Mark being Mark, he texted Mitch," Alex tells me.
"Oh Jesus. Tell me Zarah was not there," I plead.
"Oh, she was there," Mark informs me, all too chipper. "This was her advice. She initially said you should just go for it, but then I told her how she works with us and all that 007 shit."
"Why? You're supposed to be my fucking best friends, and you do me dirty like this?" I'm never going to be able to look at Zarah or Mitch again without knowing they know.
"We are," Alex defends. "Do you think we'd go to these lengths for just anyone?"
"Not a chance," Mark answers.
"Wait a minute. Back up. You said lengths, plural. What else do you have up your sleeves?"
"I note the plural there. Well done, D. And I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Audra: We'll never tell. Have a good one, man."
I hear a dial tone as I stare at traffic wondering what the hell Mark is up to—well, Mark and Alex. That's a lethal combination.
I find a spot right in front of the flower shop. I'm not questioning it. I'm grateful to whoever it is that is looking out for me in a positive way… not a Mark and Alex kind of way.
I know she likes colorful flowers. Whenever she received some for her birthday, the bouquet always stood out.
The florist hooks me up. Purples, pinks, yellows, whites, and some blue. I like it.
I get in the car and head over to Audra's. Twenty minutes to spare. I'll get there in ten, it'll take five to get to her door. Five minutes early is gentlemanly, I think.
Chalk up a point in the positive column for Pierce, and let's hope we can keep them coming.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Audra
I'm nervous. It's so stupid. It's just a fake date. But… it's with Derrick. I press my hand to my tummy where the butterflies are soaring. I don't remember the last time I felt like this.
I'm wearing a little black dress only it's emerald, not black. It goes well with my hair, which I've tamed and straightened. I don't think Mr. Pierce has seen me with my hair like this. It's typically not a work 'do. High heels. Silver necklace and bracelet. Emerald ring and earrings. Nerves that are making my hands shake. It's a good thing I put my lipstick on earlier.
Shit. Twelve minutes. Will he be on time? Early? Late? Hopefully he won't be late. I don't want to have to scold him from the get-go about dating etiquette: Never keep your date waiting unless you're a woman trying to make an impressive entrance.
Shannon walks in and wolf whistles. I roll my eyes.
