Page 23 of Positively Pricked

I was glaring at him now. "I'm not gonna be fired." I swallowed.Was I?

"Or, if you want," he added, "you can key it in yourself."

Key what in? His phone number? This had to be a joke. I gave him a stiff smile. "Gee, thanks."

"You're welcome."

I made a scoffing sound. "I didn't mean it."

"Good."

I studied his face. What kind of response wasthat? Looking at him, I had no clue, and I was in no mood to try to figure it out.

With a sigh of irritation, I turned away and yanked my keys out of my purse. With nervous fingers, I fumbled for the one that would unlock my car door.

The car was so old, it didn't even have keyless entry, and my hands shook when I tried to insert the key into the lock.

It wasn't even because of the cold. It was because of him – the prick standing just a few feet away. With my back turned, I couldn't see him, but I could feel his eyes on my back, watching and mocking as I yanked open my car door and hesitated as I remembered the side-view mirror.

Reluctantly, I looked down. And there it was – or what was left of it. I tried to think. Would it be cheaper to have it repaired, or to just get a new one?

The thought of scooping it up was beyond humiliating. And yet, I'd feel like a slug if I just left it lying in the gutter like a discarded condom.

Heat flooded my face.A condom?Where on Earth hadthatthought come from?

Trying not to dwell on it, I crouched down and plucked the mirror pieces off the pavement, and then tossed them onto the passenger's side floor. Afterward, I slid into the driver's seat and yanked the car door shut behind me.

My car started on the first try – thank God. Still, I wasn't taking any chances. As fast as I could, I shifted into gear and slammed my foot on the gas. My car lurched forward with an embarrassing amount of clunking and rattling.

But at least I was on my way.

Against my better judgment, I snuck a quick glance in the rear-view mirror. Zane Bennington was still standing there, looking like every girl's impossible dream.

But so what? Dreamy or not, he was living proof of everything that was so unfair in this world. The guy had it all, and what was he doing with it?

Tormentingmeof all people.

And thanks to him, I now had something else to worry about.WasI going to lose my job?

No. I wasn't.I returned my attention to the road and kept it there. As far as the job thing, he was just toying with me.

Hehadto be.

Right?