CON MAN

by T. Torrest

  I stood up to face her. At first, I’d been reading along with her speech, but it only took a few seconds for me to ditch that idea. I stuck the paper in my pocket to concentrate solely on my beautiful, brave girl.

  “I thought an hour ago that I loved you more than any woman has ever loved a man, but a half hour after that I knew that what I felt before was nothing compared to what I felt then.”

  A few people had started to gather near me to watch her speak. Rather than shy away from the attention, Mia proceeded to ham up her performance. Her body flailed dramatically as she recited her lines. “There is no room in my body for anything but you. My arms love you, my ears adore you, my knees shake with blind affection. My mind begs you to ask it something so it can obey. Do you want me to follow you for the rest of your days? I will do that. Do you want me to crawl? I will crawl. Anything there is that I can do for you, I will do for you; anything there is that I cannot do, I will learn to do. For me there is only you.”

  She really laid it on thick to deliver the final line, clasping her hands to her chest and pleading, “Darling Lucas, adored Lucas, sweet perfect Lucas, whisper that I have a chance to win your love.”

  She gave an elaborate curtsey as the handful of spectators broke into spontaneous applause.

  I, however, was too mesmerized that I couldn’t do anything but stare in shock. Finally, I held out my hand to help her down off the rock, and pulled her into my arms. I kissed her, slow and sweet and deep and devoted, reveling in the fact that she was mine. I was such a lucky bastard.

  By the time we came up for air, the crowd had dispersed, leaving the two of us to our own private world once again. Mia’s face was beaming, so proud and unashamed. “So, how’d I do?”

  “Amazing,” I answered, awestruck by this incredible woman in my grasp.

  “Good enough to earn a dirty water dog with the works?”

  The question was unexpected, but then again, there was nothing predictable about Mia Cruz. The girl was remarkable in every way, and for some reason, she loved me.

  I dipped my head close to hers and ran my nose against her hair, stealing a greedy inhale before I whispered against her ear.

  “As you wish.”

  THE END.

  About the Author:

  T. Torrest is a fiction writer from the U.S. She has written many books, but prays that only a handful of them will ever see the light of day. Her stories are geared toward readers of any age that know how to enjoy a good laugh and a dreamy romance.

  Ms. Torrest was a child of the 80s, but has since traded in her Rubik's cube for a laptop and her Catholic school uniform for a comfy pair of yoga pants. She's a pop-culture junkie, a movie aficionado, and an enthusiast of talking about herself in the third person. A lifelong Jersey girl, she currently resides there with her husband and two sons.

  She also really digs it when she hears from readers, and is known to use words like "dig" in a non-sarcastic way. You can find out more about her books at her website: www.ttorrest.com

  If you haven’t already done so, please come “like” the TTorrest Author Page on FACEBOOK

  We have lots of fun discussing books, movies… and the eighties!

  You can also follow me on GOODREADS

  Or drop by my website to say hi: www.ttorrest.com

  and join my mailing list to receive bonus chapters!

  I love hearing from readers and am curious about your book club discussions.

  If you’d like to drop me a personal message, my email is: ttorrest@optonline.net

  I always do my best to write back!

  And lastly, as always, if you enjoyed reading this book, I ask you to tell your friends, loan it out, and please, please leave a review.

  TALK ABOUT IT. On Facebook, on Goodreads… any time you’re asked about a funny read, a swoony romance, or an awesome book boyfriend.

  Word of mouth is truly the only way we indie authors survive.

  EASTER EGGS

  I swear one of these days, I’m going to trip myself up with all these connections.

  Someday. Just not today. ;)

  Yes, Luke is acquainted with Justice Drake from S.L. Jennings’ TAINT. Drake is a crazy-hot, hands-on sex therapist, and you can read his story HERE. (Thanks for the loan, Syreeta!)

  Luke has some of his clients stay at the TRU Times Square. (REMEMBER WHEN Trilogy)

  Mia works at Manhattan Media, an advertising firm first mentioned in DOWN THE SHORE. So, yes, Victoria and Mia are work colleagues.

  Luke arranges a photo shoot at a past client’s SoHo loft. That client is Samantha, Livia’s artist friend from DOWN THE SHORE.

  Wyatt McAllister is now manager of the Shermer Heights Training Facility. In 2003, he was only an assistant manager in BREAKING THE ICE. (P.S. Now I’m dying to write his and Jane’s story! LOL)

  Luke takes Jared to the driving range at the Shermer Heights Country Club (RW3, A WAY TO GET BY)

  Barney’s personal shopper, Corinne Cavanaugh, is the sister of Diana (RW2, 3) and Virginia (AWTGB).

  Kate Warren and Rick were first mentioned in RW.

  When Luke is cruising through Norman, he drives past Give Me Candy (BTI) and the King Neptune Diner (RW).

  Luke visits the Norman Municipal Complex—and has to navigate around Norman Rock—to do some research at the library. Afterward, he considers stopping in at The Westlake Pub for a drink. (BTI)

  Luke’s biological mother, Janet Mason, is Trip and Layla’s English teacher in RW. (Sorry I had to kill you. Janet!)

  Malachi Bros. Funeral Parlor is a familiar place for any Norman natives. (RW3, AWTGB)

  The Backlot is a rag mag first mentioned in RW3.

  Acknowledgements:

  First up, I’ve gotta give a big huge sloppy kiss to Moody Haopshy for the inspiration behind this story. He tossed the plot out casually a couple of years ago, and I just fell in love with the idea of a not-quite-superhero version of a modern-day Bruce Wayne. I have people giving me story ideas all the time, but this is the only one I ever felt compelled to run with. Thanks, Mood!

  Michelle Mankin, who—while in the middle of readying for her own release, mind you—volunteered to read through this story when it was nothing more than 40,000 jumbled words of mind ramble. Her encouragement and advice gave me the spark to keep going on this book at a time when I thought I’d be shelving it.

  Heather M. Orgeron, who is not only a fantastic cheerleader and confidant every day, but gave me the best advice for staying on track while penning a male POV: “Write with your dick, TT!”

  Emily Hemmer, Erika Gutermuth and Kari Matthes, all of whom refused to believe this book would be anything less than fabulous, and offered encouragement every step of the way.

  My cabal of author and blogger friends who are always there to offer encouragement or lend an ear for bitching purposes.

  Ivette W. Portillo for her incomparable help with the English-to-PR translations!

  My beta readers! Stevie Kisner, Michelle Mankin, Kari Matthes, Joanne Cowan, Kelly Moorehouse, Anna Roselli, Dawn Nicole Costiera, Roxie Madar, Faith Andrews, Heather Orgeron, Ivette Portillo, Jennifer Mirabelli, Erika Gutermuth.

  And of course, wizard-woman Hang Lee for yet another amazing cover.

  REAL-LIFE PEOPLE: Huge thanks to my friends and family! They cheer me on from the sidelines, are always interested in what I’m working on, and have provided a support system far beyond the call of duty. I’m grateful that there are too many people in this category for me to name here.

  You know who you are.

  COMING SOON!

  FAREWELL, MY SUMMER LOVE

  An 80s romantic comedy that takes place over multiple summers at the Jersey shore.

  Turn the page for an excerpt!

  FAREWELL, MY SUMMER LOVE

  Excerpt from Chapter 3

  We spent the first ten minutes of our Big Night Out spying on the party from the dunes. A bunch of people were stationed mid-beach, gathered around a small fire drinking, th
eir laughter drowned out by the classic rock station on the boombox. I didn’t recognize a single face and it was definitely intimidating. I wasn’t used to going to parties—especially beer parties—where I knew exactly no one. Vince wasn’t even there yet. Plus, the majority of the fifteen or so people around that fire were guys. Like, full-on, older guys.

  Katrina was playing the faithful friend, refusing to leave my side. She was either new to this scene herself or was being anti-social for my sake. In any case, I got the impression that she and I could have spent the next twelve hours in that grass before we’d be brave enough to join in.

  Kim wasn’t having it. “Okay, this is ridiculous. I’m not spending my entire night waiting for you two to grow some balls. C’mon. Just hold your head up and act like you belong.”

  I bit my lip and asked, “Won’t the older kids be mad that we're crashing their party?”

  “Nah,” she answered, smirking just the slightest bit. “Everyone’s the same age down the shore. In the summertime, at least.”

  I met Katrina’s eyes and we both gave a shrug. What did we have to lose?

  We followed behind Kimmy, our bare feet digging into the cool sand with each step. “Hey guys!” she greeted casually, plopping down cross-legged in the middle of an unoccupied towel. Katrina followed suit but I, wearing a skirt, however, had to be a little more cautious while lowering myself to the empty space next to them.

  The “guys” she greeted were three of the most opposite-looking people I’d ever seen in my life. One had darker skin and shoulder-length brown hair. I couldn’t tell if he was black, white, or what, but whatever he was, he was definitely cute. The guy in the chair to his left had shaggy blond hair and was wearing nothing but a pair of swimshorts. There I was, trying to piece together an appropriate party outfit, and Blondie over there was practically naked.

  “’Bout time you finally got here. I didn’t know if you were gonna make it.”

  I looked over at the sound of such a deep voice and sized up Bachelor Number Three. He’d been aiming his statement at Kimmy, but he was looking directly at me.

  Even from such limited light, I could tell his eyes were a gorgeous, striking blue. Like, full-on, Rob-Lowe blue. The movie-star comparison didn’t stop there, and I was stunned into silence as I noted even more similarities: Dark brown hair, tan skin, and a gleaming white grin that forced me to look away. I was too disarmed to continue making eye contact, and instead focused on the navy blue Camden Aquarium logo blazoned across his gray sweatshirt.

  Wow.

  Kimmy didn’t notice that her friend had just melted me into a puddle, and instead put her hands on her hips to announce, “So who’s gonna give me a beer?”

  Gray Sweatshirt laughed as he dug around in a Styrofoam cooler and came up with a can of Budweiser, tossing it in her direction. He had these great, thick, expressive eyebrows, one of which was raised as he asked, “Is your sister allowed to have one?”

  “Sure,” Kimmy granted magnanimously. Then she turned toward Katrina to admonish, “Just one, though.”

  Kat brushed off the rebuke, trying to look cool as she accepted the can from Gray Sweatshirt's hand. It didn’t seem as though drinking was a common occurrence for my new friend, but from the looks of it, this seemed to be standard high school activity. I guessed the both of us would need to get used to it.

  “And what about your friend?” he asked, aiming those deadly blue eyes in my direction again. “Does she drink?”

  Katrina’s mouth gaped as I silently implored Kimmy not to out me as the fourteen-year-old I actually was. When I saw the slight curl of her lip, I knew she’d be playing along.

  Before she could answer for me, however, I blurted out a response. “Yes, actually,” I said. “She’s able to speak, too.”

  That made Gray Sweatshirt chuckle. “Oh she does, does she?”

  “Yep. She can answer questions and everything.”

  I really couldn’t tell you where the balls were coming from. I guess the fact that he thought I was older gave me the confidence to act older. And my God! I was totally doing it! I was flirting with this cute high school guy!

  He raised an eyebrow and dipped his chin. “Maybe I should’ve asked her instead of her friend?”

  “Mm hmm.” I had my lips pressed together in an attempt to avoid the fit of nervous laughter that was threatening to erupt, but I couldn’t hold it in for long. Before I knew what was happening, I was grinning like a complete fool. I was about to confess everything right then and there, but he spoke up before I could.

  “Well, I apologize, Kim. You’re absolutely right. I guess I was just too intimidated by her gorgeous smile to remember my manners.”

  I choked on my own breath as Blondie piped in to bust his chops. “Dude. She’s been here for all of three minutes and you’re already hitting on her?”

  I almost fainted. Or died of embarrassment. Or jumped his bones.

  Gray Sweatshirt elbowed his buddy in the ribs. “I’m not hitting on her. I’m simply making conversation, asshole.”

  “Yeah right.”

  The thought that this cute guy was hitting on me was too much to handle. The heat rose in my cheeks, and I was grateful for the dim lighting. I was still reeling from the compliment, trying to reacquire my previous sense of chill, but it was a hopeless cause. It’s impossible not to smile when someone compliments your smile. I hoped I didn’t look like a conceited snob for continuing to do so.

  Thankfully, Gray Sweatshirt launched into a Q and A before I could overanalyze my facial expressions. “Does Kim’s friend have a name?”

  Screw the confession. I was having too much fun. “Kim’s friend’s name is Lindsey.”

  “Well, I’m Jason Delaney. Nice to meet you, Kim’s friend Lindsey.”

  JASON. Rhymes with totally hot. Not really, obviously, but damn. Just... yum.

  He cracked open a can of beer before handing it over, asking, “So how come we’ve never met before?” His devilish grin almost had me bursting out of my skin.

  Kim jumped in to save me before I could go Alien. “You haven’t met her before because this is her first time here.”

  “Shoe bee?” Long Hair asked.

  I had no idea what kind of secret code he was speaking in, but Kim and Katrina both shook their heads in the affirmative.

  Kim leaned into me and gestured her finger at Long Hair. “Lindsey, the loud mouth, long-haired hippie over there is Wax, the naked blond next to him is Christian, and the guy totally hitting on you may have introduced himself as Jason, but everyone calls him Jase.”

  Couldn’t she have simply murdered me and spared me the mortification?

  All three of the guys gave a wave at the introductions as Kim continued pointing to everyone around the rest of the circle, cataloging a list of names I knew I’d never remember. They were all in the middle of their own conversations anyway, so the pressure was off to play social butterfly.

  Katrina chugged down the last of her beer and asked, “Hey Lindsey. Wanna walk down to the water?”

  “Sure,” I said, getting to my feet and dusting the sand from my legs.

  I was looking for a place to leave my half-emptied beer can when Jason—Jase—hopped off his chair. “Here. I’ll put it in the cooler so it’ll stay cold for when you get back.”

  I said “Thanks” among the stifled snickers of his friends, busting his chops for his continued prowling.

  I chose to pretend I was clueless about it, and instead simply followed Katrina down to the water. The breeze was just the right temperature that close to the ocean, but I hoped it wouldn’t blow my hair into a knotted mess. Or my skirt up to my chin. Kat seemed to be holding up fine though, so maybe I was, too.

  “Do not tell Jase how old you are,” she reprimanded as soon as we were out of earshot.

  I choked out a laugh. “Well he’s gonna find out eventually. I mean, it’s nice and all that he’s paying me all this attention, but I don’t want to lie to him all summer.”
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  “There’s no reason you can’t tell him after.”

  “After?”

  “Yeah. After you bang him.”

  If I had any liquid in my mouth at that moment, I would have done a spittake. “Are you crazy?”

  “You said you never went past second with a boy.”

  “Yeah. And I don’t plan on rounding third anytime soon!”

  She shook her head at her feet. “I don’t know. It just sounded to me like you had some regrets about that Brian guy. Wouldn’t it be cool to go home super-experienced? Show that goofy old Brian what he’s been missing out on?”

  As crazy as I thought my new friend’s plan was, I had to admit, the idea was quickly starting to grow on me. I mean, I wasn’t going to have sex with Jase for godsakes, but there was no reason we couldn’t hook up a little. Why not gain some experience with someone who was completely disconnected from my real life? Someone gorgeous, and older, and probably knew what the hell he was doing. Maybe learning a few things from Jase Delaney would give me just the edge I needed to make Brian Hollander mine once and for all. Ha! I’d like to see Francine Mentozzi try to compete with that!

  I started to envision my complete transformation from Virgin Mary to sexy Madonna (the pop star. Not the real one) as the facilitator of my metamorphosis sauntered down toward us.

  “Ut-shay up-ay on the ase-Jay,” I murmured to Kat as Jase met us at the edge of the water. God. He was so tall!