Bad Boy Rich

“See, you just don’t say anything. If I asked any other girl to come back with me to the bedroom, she’d be naked in two seconds.” He kicks a rock in front of him, the both of us watching it disappear into the night.

I fold my arms, shielding my chest from the cool air. “But what gain would I have following their actions?”

“Ouch.” He smirks, stabbing his heart in jest.

It takes a moment for my words to click, and quick to correct myself, I add, “I don’t mean it like that…it’s just…argh…”

“You’re rambling. It’s cute,” he whispers.

“Cute is something you say to someone at a theme park, not cemetery. This place is creeping me out. I’ll say that.”

He takes my hand and motions for me to follow him. We pass the numerous headstones and the large crematorium on the left. I’m practically on top of him, drowning in fear till we pass the iron gates and end where we left the bike.

I reach for the helmet, holding it in my hand. “What I said earlier. I didn’t mean you wouldn’t be good sexually. I just…okay I didn’t mean that but I don’t know how to explain it.”

With a grin smothering his handsome face, he leans in and kisses my forehead. His lips linger for a moment, the warmth easing my heightened nerves. Phoebe once told me a kiss on the forehead was the kiss of death. I still don’t know how she hasn’t fallen over more.

“Relax, I know what you mean. Now let’s grab something to eat. I wanna take you somewhere.”

“The last time you said that you took me to a cemetery.”

“This place is much more fun.”

He drove us in the opposite direction to a less busy part of town. When he parks the bike in the parking lot, I pull off my helmet and fix my hair, trying to untangle the knots that formed from the wind. I give up, realizing it was a lost cause. Long hair and wind did not mix.

The place we stop at is a 1960s-style restaurant called Peggy’s. The neon lights along the roof covered the parking lot like in classic movies. Coming out of the front of the establishment is half a Cadillac—red with white stripes and wheels.

I stare in awe, impressed with how authentic the place looked. “This is pretty cool.”

“Yeah, been coming here for years. Peggy cooks a mean burger combo.”

“You mean there’s an actual Peggy?”

He laughs. “Yes, let’s go meet her.”

We walk inside and sit at a booth that is towards the kitchen and less visible. The restaurant wasn’t overly busy; a few patrons scattered around and mainly older folks. No one seems to pay attention to Wesley or even recognize who he was except for Peggy—the lady dressed in a pale green uniform and large permed hair that towered over her head. She walks towards us as she chews gum with a wide smile. She leans into Wesley, kissing the top of his head.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” she teases, chewing loudly. “So, introduce me to your girlfriend.”

“Uh, just friend,” I pipe up, perhaps too quickly.

“Double ouch.”

“Now don’t you listen to him. You follow your heart. You got me? Don’t let no boy tell you any different.”

I liked Peggy. She seemed to have put Wesley in his place. She didn’t entertain us looking at the menus, ordering us her special meal combo. I was up for anything; starving since I hadn’t eaten since Emerson’s place.

“So do you come here often?”

“When I can. It’s hard to go places these days.”

“I can’t imagine what it must be like. I know Emerson says…”

I cut myself off, aware that I brought up the giant elephant in the room. Surely, this would have come up. We both couldn’t ignore that I worked for her and Logan’s voice replayed in my head.

“Sorry.” I watch him, apologizing to be polite but studying his reaction.

r /> He purses his lips, busying himself with his cell and pretending to seem uninterested. “What are you sorry for?”