Anthology - The Night Before Christmas
Page 25
Peri braced herself.
"After you got in the cab this morning, the wind blew a certain piece of paper onto my foot."
Instantly, Peri knew what it was. That silly erotic fantasy list she had jotted down at the Promise Makers meeting. Oh, God! It was supposed to go on her fridge, and she'd forgotten all about it. Embarrassment swamped her. Playfully, she punched at Chase's broad chest. "You son of a bitch! Why didn't you tell me?"
Chase laughed at her. "Look at you blushing!"
Peri knew her face was burning red. Of course, Chase pointing this out only intensified it. "How did you know that was my list anyway?"
"I didn't—at first. It belonged either to you or to a bald guy who dropped his briefcase." Chase pretended to be worried. "Should I have taken him to dinner?"
"This isn't fair!" Peri wailed. "You knew more about me than I knew that you knew."
"Uh, I think I followed that."
"You don't understand. I was in this stupid seminar, and they told us to—"
He kissed her to make her shut up. "You don't have to explain anything. It was my fantasy, too. Now it's ours. Of course, breakfast will be a challenge. I never have any food here. I'll have to run down to the corner and pick up some bagels and fruit. Does that count?"
Peri nuzzled into him. "Where did you come from?" she marveled. And then, all of a sudden, she halted, disregarding the importance of his answer. "Wait a minute. That's not my line." She closed her eyes for a moment, sucked in a deep breath, and attempted to get into character. "You bastard," she growled. "I'm supposed to be preparing you to take the stand."
"Don't worry. You won't leave here until I get a thorough cross-examination," Chase said, silencing her with a kiss. That part of the scene was art imitating life.
And it was brilliant.
FROM: mmason@manhattannational.com
TO: peri@earthlink.net
SUBJECT: We Need to Talk
Dear Peri,
I've tried calling and stopping by, but you never answer your phone and never seem to be at home. Sooner or later we need to talk about us. You have a right to be mad, but I can't believe you'd end things for good over something like this. I was wrong. I was a jerk. I'll give you that. But I was drunk, and it didn't mean anything. In fact, if the tape hadn't come back to haunt me, then I never would've remembered what happened that night. I don't think you understand much about my job here at the bank. It's a lot of high pressure and high stress. Going to strip clubs is just a way for guys like me to unwind and let off a little steam. Most wives get that and don't care. They'd rather a husband whoop it up with the occasional nameless/interchangeable club dancer than go out for drinks after work with a hot assistant. Maybe you could try spending some time with people in my circle instead of hanging out with those out-of-work actor types all the time. That might help our relationship. Think about it. Love, Mike
FROM: peri@earthlink.net
TO: mmason@manhattannational.com
SUBJECT: Re: We Need to Talk
Dear Mike,
There is no relationship, so feel free to pursue both strippers and hot assistants.
Peri
Epilogue
"I'm surprised you wanted to meet here," Bingo said.
"Here being what?" Elise countered. "The scene of the crime?
"Was it a crime?" His question mocked her. "I thought we just had a night of meaningless sex."
Elise gave him a look that most people reserved for messes on the side of the road. But deep down, the impression lingered that she just might want to lick it up. "You should ask around. Sex with you is considered a criminal act."
Bingo's smile was all the way cocky. "I guess anything that makes you feel that good has to be illegal."
Chase gave Peri a nod of approval as she broke character and turned to face the casting panel. Only this time, she had no pre-existing doomsday thoughts that one of them might utter the fatalistic phrase, "Don't call us. We'll call you."
The man spoke first. "I think I need a cigarette. The chemistry between the two of you is hot."
"I say cancel the other readings," one of the women chimed in. "It doesn't get any better than this."
"Merry Christmas, Peri," the other woman said happily. "I believe you're needed in wardrobe."
THE NEW YORK POST
"Page Six"
STOCKING STUFFER
Newbie actress Peri Knight sure is having a very Merry Christmas. Last week the struggling thespian was fetching coffee at Java hot spot Rush Hour. Now she's landed a recurring role on television's sizzling hit PHYSICAL EVIDENCE and her hunky co-star, Chase McCloud. The two have been spotted canoodling all over the city. The lucky lady is bouncing back fast from a breakup with former fiancé and Manhattan National heir, Mike Mason. The hotshot banker recently caused a scene at stripper haven Scores Westside. It seems bouncers had to eject him after his credit card was declined. Friends say Peri refers to her ex as "the bad dream." It's no wonder. This year TV's new rising star has something far better under the tree.
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