The Trouble With Quarterbacks - R.S. Grey Page 0,18

blue eyes are the same as Mum’s. I’ve got a small nose and a dimpled smile. My skin’s pretty great, and I’ve got a petite figure, even if it’s not overflowing with luscious curves. The only reason I’ve let these new insidious thoughts creep in is because I saw that girl Logan was with at District. She seemed to scream S-E-X from her hair down to her toes. I’d bet on my life no guy has ever called her cute. Sexy, tantalizing, bodacious—yes. Cute—no way.

Whatever. It’s not like it matters. As I learned yesterday, there’s a good chance Logan is utterly off limits.

Oh, but doesn’t that just make the whole thing even more tempting?

I yank off my pajamas and take my turn in the shower.

“Oh my god!” Yasmine gasps. “I think there’s a tree between your legs!”

“Hush you! I’m going for a wax this afternoon so I’ve had to let it grow out a bit longer.”

“Dear god. Have you checked for live critters in there? Maybe a squirrel or two?”

“Har har, very funny. Keep it up and I won’t tell you about the posh party we’ve been invited to this weekend.”

The shower curtain gets yanked to the side, and I don’t even bother shrieking. I go right on washing my hair.

Yasmine and Kat stand there, prepared to interrogate me until I give them the truth. None of us cares a bit that I’m stark nude.

When I don’t immediately spill the gossip—instead squeezing out another dollop of conditioner—Yasmine waves her hand impatiently.

I mime a zipper closing across my lips.

She growls in frustration. “Fine. Okay, look—if I hold my hand up a bit to block it, it’s not so bad. There. It’s like you don’t even have a huge bush anymore. No need to go get that wax after all.”

I grab the shower curtain and wrench it closed again.

“Kat, you’re invited to Logan’s party with me,” I taunt.

“What?!” she screams.

“He said he’d text me the details. As soon as I know, I’ll pass them along to you.”

“Fine, okay. I’ll get dinner tonight,” Yasmine relents.

“And?”

“And wine.”

“And?”

“What else do you want? This is called extortion, you know! It’s criminal!”

“I’ll take a slice of that cheesecake from the shop on the corner.”

“It’s like $8.00 a slice!”

“I suppose it’ll just have to be Kat and me this weekend.”

“Fine, you witch! I’ll do it. Are you happy?”

I grin. “Pleased as Punch. Now pass me a towel, will you?”

I don’t bother telling Yasmine or Kat about the minor, oh-so-small inconvenience wherein Logan might be off limits and if I so much as kiss him on the cheek, I might be fired and lose all my income and become destitute and have to move back to England and find work on the streets. Instead, I decide it’s best to figure out as much as I can before bringing in the other two Stooges.

First thing Friday morning, I head straight for the headmistress’s office at The Day School. I am not a rule-breaker. Truly. I once got pulled over while I was driving, and because I thought the officer was going to give me a speeding fine, I cried so hard he ended up consoling me through the window and then had to use my mobile to phone my mum to see if she could come meet me since I was no longer fit to drive. It was only later that I learned he just wanted to let me know one of my car’s tail lights had gone out.

Anyway, I want to know for sure whether or not I have to keep my distance from Logan. I realize it might be all sorts of tantalizing to go after a forbidden man, but I like my job and I’m not trying to throw it away for a quick romp in the hay.

I round the corner and see Mrs. Halliday’s office up ahead. Her secretary is already perched at her desk out front, and I greet her with a warm smile. I’ve brought them each a bribe.

“Good morning, Laura. Fancy a latte?”

She grins in surprise. “That’s so nice! You didn’t have to do that.”

I very much did.

I pass her the Starbucks drink then offer a grin of my own. “Is Mrs. Halliday busy or could I have a little chat with her?”

Laura frowns after taking a quick sip of her latte. “Actually, she isn’t here today.”

“Isn’t here? What do you mean?”

I’m sure all the color has drained from my face.

“Her husband is scheduled for a dental procedure, so Mrs. Halliday had to