“Damn. I’m dying to know.”
“Me, too.”
“Well, whatever they said to each other, it sure seems to have worked out well for them.” She looks earnest. “It seems like maybe they’re on to something with all that... forced honesty.”
Well, shit. If I knew she was right—if I knew participating in some sort of bizarre honesty-game would turn out to be some sort of unparalleled aphrodisiac, I’d be all in. I really would. But I don’t know if she’s right. For all I know, my application could easily have the opposite effect than she’s anticipating. It could make her run away, screaming. And, regardless, at this point, I’m probably doomed no matter what it might say. She’s pinning so much expectation on the damned thing, it can’t possibly live up to whatever kinkfest she’s imagining it to be. No matter what it says, it’s gonna be anticlimactic now.
And, more importantly, is it gonna open up an entire dialogue I have no intention of having? What I wrote in my application is a fucking time capsule—a moment in time I have no desire to revisit or fucking explain. My stomach twists. Yeah, it’s settled. No matter what, I’mnotgonna give this goddamned terrorist my fucking application.
“Do you usually practice ‘complete honesty’ with guys before you’ll evenkissthem?” I ask.
“No. I can’t remember ever practicing ‘complete honesty’ with a guy, period,” she replies. “Have you ever practiced complete honesty with a woman?”
“Complete?”
“Yeah.”
“No. I came very close once. It didn’t work out very well.”
She twists her mouth.
“But enough about that.” I drain my drink. “I don’t negotiate with terrorists, like I said. So make your unreasonable demands all night long if you want—you’re not getting what you want.”
She exhales. “I tell you what. Justtellme what your stupid application says—and we’ll call it a day. Tell me and then kiss me and then... who knows what might happen next?” She looks at me suggestively.
“Nope.”
Her pucker turns to a pout.
“I don’t negotiate with terrorists.”
“So you keep saying.”
“You don’t even care about my stupid application. You’re just trying towin.”
“I could say the same thing about you. At least I’m being reasonable.”
“You’re being reasonable?”
“Yes. I backed down from my original demand and said you could justtellme what’s in it.AndI’ve offered to answer any questions honestly tonight. But you? You’re just sticking to your guns, not budging an inch.”
“All right. Show me how it’s done.” I lean forward, my eyes blazing. “Play the honesty-game.”
“Fine. Ask me anything.”
“Admit Cameron Fucking Schulz bored you to fucking tears.”
She twists her mouth—and then she nods.
I laugh. “I knew it.”
“I went back into the restaurant after we talked and after two minutes with the guy I wanted to gouge my eyes out.”
“Hey, maybe I like this honesty-game, after all.” I chuckle. “So how’d he take it when you turned him down?” I ask, picking up my drink gleefully.
I’m expecting her to laugh with me or at least break into a wide smile. But she doesn’t. Instead, she furrows her brow, takes a long sip of her drink, and levels me with an unflinching gaze. “I didn’t turn him down.”
Fourteen
