Page 5 of Malicious Marriage

“I’m okay,” I gasp after several gulps of water. “Fuck, why is it so hot? Are you too hot? I’m too hot.”

“Calm down,” Bobby says, raising his voice slightly. “Clover, whathappened?”

“I saw him.” My heart resumes beating wildly at the thought of Dean in his office.

“Dean? Did you talk to him?”

I nod quickly.

“And?”

“It wasn’t like we planned. I was supposed to bump into him and get talking, flirt a little and then hope he calls me. That was the plan.”

“A good plan,” Bobby says.

“A terrifying plan.”

“But?”

I shift in my seat to look at him. “I was feeling so overwhelmed. I felt like everyone took one look at me and could tell I was a disaster. So I snuck away to catch my breath, and I was getting worked up and crying, and then who should find me?”

Bobby’s eyes widen. “Dean.”

“Yup!” Sweat trickles down between my breasts, and I hurriedly wipe it away with a grunt of frustration. “Oh, hell, I’m melting.”

Bobby turns the AC up. “You’re killing me here.”

“We didn’t flirt,” I whine softly. “We talked about anxieties and the social pressure of parties. Hardly the romantic talk that will make him call me.”

“Shit.” Bobby sighs softly. “How did he seem?”

I shrug. “Kind? Nothing like I expected. TheKiller Savoywasn’t all that killer.”

“Maybe he’ll still call,” Bobby decides. “You spoke to him and that’s a start.”

“Is it?” Bobby’s hopefulness isn’t enough to reinflate mine.

“Of course it is. Listen, if nothing else, then you have an in with him to try again. You will try again, right? We’re not giving up?”

Despite the defeat that weighs down on my shoulders, I nod slowly. “We’re not giving up.”

We can’t.

This has to work. If it doesn’t, then I’m all out of ideas on how to save my sister.

3

DEAN

Clover.

It’s been two days and I can’t stop thinking about her. Why? It’s not the first time I’ve seen a beautiful woman. I’m surrounded by them on a daily basis. Everywhere I go, there they are, vying for my attention and my money. I’ve done that song and dance before and I know it’s not real. It’s never real.

People will do anything if they know you’re rich enough.

But Clover.

She haunts me in the best way.