Black Diaries

26. Rebounding Billions

Jill was still gesticulating. "It's him!" She was mouthing, over and over again. "It's him!"

"Oh really?" I mouthed back. "I would never have guessed!"

"I hope I am not interrupting something?" he asked.

I forced a laugh. "Only me complaining about Jill's driving."

He said hello to Jill, and Jill gave as good as she got, drenching him with charm through the telephone. I hardly heard a word. I was just sitting there, all the while one question going around and around in my head: Why was he calling?

I hadn't expected to ever hear from him again. Sure, Jill and his grandparents might have thought we were "getting cozy"—but that was just their overactive imagination! There had been nothing whatsoever romantic about our little tryst. In fact, we had taken pains to emphasize how much we both detested the thought of romance right now.

So...what could he possibly want?

My silent question was promptly answered.

"Cassy?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of his voice addressing me. Why was I reacting like this? I hadn't before, on the balcony. But on the balcony his voice hadn't been so low and... there was no other word for it: sensual.

I gulped. "Yes, Elliot?"

"You're probably wondering why I'm calling."

"Yes. But it just occurred to me, there's something else I want to know even more."

"Indeed?"

"Yes. How the hell did you get my phone number?"

He gave a soft chuckle. The sound made the hair stand up all over my body. And from the way Jill was melting into her seat, she wasn't faring much better.

"I have my ways," he told me.

Grinning, Jill placed a hand over her heart and pretended to faint over the steering wheel. I gave her the bird and pointed to the road, mouthing "Pay attention!"

"Back to why I was calling," he said, not giving me a chance to press him on the matter. "I wanted to ask you something."

I swallowed. "Oh yes?"

"Yes. Are you free tomorrow evening?"

"W-why?"

"Because I am. And I would like to see you again—very much."

This time, Jill did scratch the guard rail. A shower of sparks went up into the night, and we heard another cacophony of honks from behind us.

"Holy Hell!" I yelled. "Slow down!"

"Am I moving too fast?" Elliot asked. His voice dropped an octave. "I'm sorry. After tonight, I just can't help myself."

"Not you!" I shouted. "Jill! She's trying to kill us!" Jill was doing her fainting impression again, and also fluttering her eyelashes now. "Will you stop that! That's not funny!"

"I'm sorry..." Elliot enquired. "Who are you talking to right now?"

"Jill, of course!"

"Ah. And your answer to my question?"

It hit me like a bucket of ice-cold water: I had just been asked out! Asked out by E.W. Winslow, CEO of Winslow incorporated!

I opened my mouth.

I closed it again.

And opened it again.

And closed it again.