“Marissa,” Bev exclaimed, sounding like she was tipsy.“Just the girl I want to talk to.I need the car.”
“Well, that’s why I’m calling.I just picked it up from getting repaired and none of my credit cards were good when I went to pay for it.”
“Oh, yeah.I know.Mom’s checking into it,” she said, sounding unconcerned.
“What exactly is she checking into?”she asked through clenched teeth.
“I don’t know—getting an increased credit line?”
“Bev, we are out of money.I haven’t paid the mortgage in three months.The credit cards are maxed.And I just signed a contract saying my pay would be cut forCanyon del Oro.”
“I heard about that.I can’t believe Julie went for it.”
She stomped up the stairs with impatience.Her sister was not getting it.They had a real problem, here.
“Marissa, I need the car, honey.You can ride with Joel to and from the set, can’t you?Mom and I have been totally stuck here for the past two days because you had the car.That’s ridiculous.”
She choked a little on her own spit.Ridiculous?Having her own car was ridiculous?Well, of course it was.But she couldn’t figure out how to justify saying no.Her sister was right, she and Joel carpooled into the studio.And in all honesty, she preferred him driving her everywhere.Dance class wouldn’t have been half as fun if she’d driven herself.
“Fine,” she said.“You can have the car.But you have to come here to get it.”
“Great, I’ll have Ella drive me over.Oh, she wants to hang out with you, you know.She said she texted you but you didn’t reply.”
She blew out her breath in a huff.“I’m pretty busy right now,” she said.
“Okay, but you’re missing out.She’s totally cool.”
Right.Just like all of Bev’s beautiful party-girl friends.“Do you know how to get here?”
“No, can you text it to me?I don’t have a pen.”
She huffed again.“Fine.”She hung up without saying goodbye and opened the message box to text her sister directions.
“What was that about?”Joel asked.
“Bev’s coming to get the car,” she said, realizing too late that her voice had the snappish quality he didn’t like.
“No,” he said immediately.
She stared at him.“What do you mean,no?”
“I mean, you’re not going to say yes and then bitch about it.Either give your sister your car and be content or say no.It’s your car, and your decision.You don’t have to get passive-aggressive.”
She went white hot, feeling like slapping him again.Or storming out.She turned away to leave the room.
He caught her around the waist and pulled her back up against his torso.“Don’t walk away when I’m speaking to you,” he said, but the firmness had gone out of his voice.It came like a rich rumble in her ear.
She went still and waited.What would he do next?Spank her again?Heat and excitement began to thrum, seeping through the anger and defensiveness.
“Turn around and look at me.”
She waited a full two seconds before she turned, folding her arms across her chest.
He reached for her arms, prying them out of their defensive position and pinning her wrists behind her back with one strong hand, as his other came to cup her chin.“Did you hear what I just said?”
She thrust her jaw forward.“I heard you.”
“So what is your decision?Are you calling Bev back to tell her no?”
