Page 46 of Shut Up and Drive
“In theory, yes. As long as it follows rules one through five, and stays within the depths we agree on beforehand. But don’t be getting any funny ideas.”
A wicked, Grinchy grin crosses my face. “Now what would give you that impression?”
“The fact that you are who you are, and your need for vengeance is fresh and ripe.”
“I’m not sure whether to be offended or flattered, Fina,” I say.
“I could clear that up for you real fast, but I think I’ll let you sit on it for a bit.”
“You’re so spicy today,” I say. “Andyouweren’t even the one trapped in the most disgusting bathroom known to man.”
She bursts out laughing at my words and the tension between us lifts a little more. I’m grateful for the chance to make her laugh. I don’t mean to be so butt-hurt aboutbeing stuck in the bathroom, so I try again to lighten the mood.
“Pick your poison—kiddie pool, deep end, or somewhere in the middle?”
“Let’s stay in the kiddie pool for this one.”
“Sissy,” I say under my breath, and she smacks my leg again. “You’re the epitome of picking ‘truth’ when everyone else is picking ‘dare,’” I tease. “And you just broke rule number two.”
“I didnotflirt with you,” she insists.
“You touched my leg.”
“Ismackedyour leg. That’s totally different.”
“Well, that’s flirty where I come from,” I say. “I thinkyouare the pathological flirt. You can’t help it.”
“Well…” she trails off while she thinks of a comeback, “youstill kinda smell like gas station bathroom.”
“Bad form, Pigeon, bad form. I have all week to get you back, remember?”
“I thought we called a truce.”
“Eh, how long do peace treaties really last? We’ll be back at it by sundown,” I say. “You know as well as I do that we can’t resist the banter and pranks. It’s part of what makesSeraThanielso great.”
“Did you just give us a celebrity couple nickname?”
I smile. “Maybe. What do you think of it?”
She shrugs. “I guess it’s better thanThera…”
“Yeah, I’ll give you that. Okay, first kiddie pool question: did you ever fart in front of Brad?”
She scoffs. “What kind of question is that?”
“It’s very telling, actually. Answer it.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t believe I’m going alongwith this. But no, I never farted in front ofBradley, if you must know. Or in front of anyone else on purpose. I don’t see the importance of it.”
“If you did, it means you were comfortable around him. If you can’t do that, what else are you holding back?”
“It wasn’t like that with him. He had impeccable standards. Except for the fidelity and honesty part…” she trails off.
“Besides the fact that he’s a cheating snake, that whole ‘standard’ thing must’ve been hard for you.”
“What do you mean? I have wonderful standards.”
I laugh out loud at the ridiculousness of her comment.
