Triple Dare (Sterling Shore 7)

Corbin is more distracted with his humiliating appearance, so he doesn’t notice. If I pointed them out, he’d be flipping the table and raising hell on her. Or at least I hope he would. He hasn’t actually eaten lunch here this week, even though he has come to all the luncheons. Maybe this is why.

“Mother,” Corbin says sweetly, then his eyes drop to the salad just like mine did, and his jaw ticks. But he doesn’t say anything.

It’s his mother, Ruby. You can’t get mad.

She stands as though she’s going to walk toward him in greeting, but he takes a step back.

“Nuts are in the salad,” he says when she eyes him.

She sits back down, acting as though she understands that explanation, so I assume that means she’s dealt with this reaction multiple times.

“We thought you would be too late for lunch,” his mother says dismissively, going on as though her son isn’t wearing makeup and leggings.

I stand like an awkward fixture in the corner, staying out of the way.

Corbin continues to stand instead of taking the only other seat at the bistro table.

“We’ll wait for you in the study,” he tells her, and I visibly relax.

“Nonsense,” Lisa says, looking over at me again like she’s thinking of numerous ways to dispose of my body. “Have a seat. You’ve yet to even introduce yourself to Jill.”

Sighing, I sit down in the little forgotten chair next to the door, and get comfortable. Well, as comfortable as possible.

“Hi,” the Stepford squeaks, reaching out to shake his hand as she stands.

He eyes it, then takes a step back.

“You’ve had nuts,” he tells her, but she doesn’t understand, so he elaborates. “Ruby has a severe allergy. If I touch your hand then hers, she could rub her eyes, and that could be bad. I don’t shake hands too often anyway. Don’t take it personal.”

The Stepford’s eyes dart to me for the first time, and I swear I see resentment in them. She’s a pretty girl—blonde, blue eyes, gorgeous, glowing skin. She’s a dream girl for most guys. She’s elegant, sophisticated, polite… Everything I’m not.

Her ingrained manners force her to acknowledge me. “I’m sorry, you must be Ruby. Are the two of you friends?”

“Most days,” I say with a shrug, trying not to smile when Corbin’s lips twitch.

At least all the makeup covers his black eyes. It saves us from that explanation.

Stepford girl and Lisa don’t look too enthused with my answer, but it’s not like I care.

Grinning, I look down and start playing a game on my phone like the rude, immature bitch I am.

“Excuse me for a moment. I forgot I need to make a phone call,” Lisa says, standing and walking out of the room.

Yeah, like that’s subtle. Why not just say, “I’m going to leave so you two can hopefully fall madly in love, and my son will lose all interest in his freak show.”

Corbin continues to stand, and I continue to feign interest in my phone.

“So, you’re… um… into crossdressing?” the Stepford asks, and I almost lose it. Almost. It’s all I can do to suppress the laughter this time.

“It was a triple dare,” Corbin tells her flatly, even though I can feel the glare of his eyes on me.

Smiling, I continue to stare at my screen, even though it has dimmed now, since I’m not actually doing anything anymore.

“So this isn’t what you normally look like when it’s not an office day?” she asks timidly, sounding desperately hopeful.

“No,” is his clipped response.

“Good.” The poor girl sighs in relief. “So… okay, this is odd, considering… your friend is here—”

“Just pretend I’m not,” I interrupt, smiling the entire time while keeping my eyes focused on the black screen.”

“Do you want to have lunch just the two of us?” she asks him. “Tomorrow maybe?”

So the Stepford is forward. I like her.

“Nope,” Corbin answers, using a less-than-subtle tone of complete disinterest.

Her eyes flick to me as she shifts uncomfortably in her seat, and I prop my chin on my hand as I quit pretending to read my phone.

I sort of feel sorry for her, even though I can tell she wants me thrown out with the trash.

Lisa returns, and the awkward silence comes to an end.

“I take it you won’t be so busy now?” she asks Corbin.

“Still busy. Big buy,” he tells her, using caveman-like short sentences.

Stifling my laugh, I lean back, watching like they’re a TV show. A bad one that will be cancelled half way through the first season.

“I assume you’re not doing business today,” she goes on, gesturing to, well, all of him.

“Taking today off since the lawyers are working on some of the details. I’ll still be by the phone.”

I almost mock a snoring sound, but decide against it. After twenty more minutes of boring conversation and business chat, Lisa finally asks the maid to carry away the plates.