Page 75 of Jaked

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Texting Henry," he said. "Now come on." He took my arm. "Let's get you back."

I almost wanted to argue. The night was young, and part of me wished I had the stamina, or whatever, to stick around. But I hadn't been lying. Ithadbeen a long day. And somehow, I just didn't have the energy to pretend anymore.

The fairytale was over. Closed. The End.

What I needed now was a moment to regroup, before I lost it right here in the crowd. "I need to hit the ladies room." I said. "Can I meet you out front?"

"No."

"No?" I gave a hollow laugh. "So you're denying me bathroom privileges? Is that it?"

"No. I'm not letting you walk there alone."

"Why not?"

"Because Rango's still around someplace."

"I can handle Rango," I said.

"Uh-huh." Jake took my arm. "Now come on."

I couldn't decide if I was flattered or annoyed. Probably, I was both. This whole evening was turning into a mind-boggling mix of contradictions. It was enough to make me crazy.

Near the rest room entrance, I turned to Jake and said, "I'll be out in a few minutes."

"If you're not," he said, "I'm coming in after you. And I'm not kidding."

I stared up at him. "You wouldn't."

"Wanna bet?"

Actually, I didn't. So I turned around and headed into the ladies room.

Of course, the place was packed, with a long line of girls waiting for stalls, and a handful of others clustered around the wide mirror. If Jake weren't waiting just outside the door, I'd probably turn around and head right back out. But at this point, I'd only look stupid.

Reluctantly, I made my way to the sink, waited for an opening, and then pretended to wash my hands. As the warm water ran over my fingertips, I looked up, catching my reflection in the mirror. Who was I, anyway? A pretend-date in a borrowed dress?

I was so lost in my own thoughts that it took me a moment to realize something. Just over my shoulder, another face had appeared in the reflection. It was the face of Bianca.

And the way it looked, she was griping up a storm.