A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

Page 53



"And I'm too young for you. Does age really matter? Would you be happier if I was older?" "No," she said, thinking of Dominic, "I wouldn't be happier. But,Bryan , we hardly know each other."

"I'm hoping to remedy that." Leaning forward, he kissed her on the cheek. "I've gotta go. See you tonight." Rising, he took a few steps,then turned back. "Hey, where do you live?"

"Up there," she said, pointing. "The big house that looks like Dracula lives there." She said the words without thinking, and then shuddered. Draculadid live there.

"Gotcha.See you at seven."

Tracystared after him, bemused. She hadn't had a date in months. Now she had a too-young lifeguard on one hand and a too-old vampire on the other. Given a choice… but she didn't have to decide, she drought, applying a fresh coat of suntan lotion. She could date anyone she wanted.

But right now, she just wanted to soak up some sun.

Bryanarrived at her door promptly at seven. He wore jeans, a T-shirt, and boots and it occurred to her that, with his blond hair and blue eyes, he looked an awful lot like Brad Pitt.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Yep, just let me get my jacket."
"Jacket?"

"It gets mighty cold in the theater sometimes. Come on in. I won't be a minute."
She leftBryan in the living room while she ran upstairs to her bedroom to get her jacket.

And almost ran into Dominic. She looked up at him, one hand pressed to her heart. "Dominic! What are you doing here?"

"What ishe doing here?"

"Who?Oh,Bryan . We're going to the movies."
"You're dating that boy?" he asked incredulously.

She lifted her chin defiantly, though she was trembling inwardly, frightened by the intensity in his eyes. "Yes."

He took a step forward. "You are mine. I will not share you with another." "I am not yours." Anger replaced her earlier fear.

He took another step forward, and now he wastowering over her, his hands clenched into tight fists at