It’s good to be home, there’s no place like home. I can get my laundry done and enjoy some of my Mom’s home cooking.
Summer comes over bright and early on Saturday and we head over to Fashion Island and go to our favorite haunt, Pain du Monde. Once we get our coffee and the most delicious pastries we find a table for two by the window.
“So what’s the latest with you?” Summer asks.
“Please don’t judge me. I have done something out of character for me and I hope I won’t have to pay the price for it,” I say ,spreading my hands out on the table.
“God, what is it?” Summer asks.
“I slept with my English Professor,” I cry out and cover my eyes.
“Clarissa, NO WAY!” Summer practically screams, her eyes wide with surprise.
“He’s unbelievably hot, all the girls in the class swoon over the guy,” I say as if that makes it alright.
“Was it just a one-time thing?” she asks, still in shock.
“Well, I went over to his place assuming it would be a one-time thing, but it turned into more.”
“Wow, he risked his position at the University for you. Do you know how much trouble he could get in if the school found out?” Summer says as if in awe.
“Yes, I’m aware. All the more reason I had to break it off, as hard as it is to do.”
“How old is he?”
“Twenty-seven.”
“Hmm, not that old. How was he by the way?” Summer asks, with a wicked smile and a raise of her eyebrows.
“Incredible!” I squeal softly, placing my hand on my heart.
“I’m so jealous,” Summer says, sitting back in her chair.
“Don’t be, it’s so painful ending it. He actually is a very caring and special guy. If I was older and out of school I would be all in with him. The timing just wasn’t good, you know? I just don’t want to be tied down and I was feeling like his dirty little secret. We couldn’t really go out together unless he took me up to Montecito for the weekend.”
“Wait a minute, he was taking you on weekends away to Montecito?”
“Yes, his family has a home there.”
“Why am I having trouble feeling sorry for you?”
“I know, I know. It gets worse or better, depending on how you look at it. You’re going to hate me, the other girls seem to,” I pause before telling Summer.
“What now?”
“Another reason I broke it off is because I like some other guy who has been pursuing me.”
“Who is it, does he go to USC?”
“Yes, his name is Jason Bancroft. His family owns Bancroft Publishing. The book and magazine publication house, we read their stuff.”
“You’re right, I do hate you,” Summer says with a smile.
“He wants to take me out to dinner tonight.”
“You’re going right?”
“I guess so.”
“Why on earth would you hesitate?”
“I still feel bad about Grant, Professor Montgomery,” I say wistfully.
“Go girl and put Grant behind you. Sounds like you have bigger fish to fry,” Summer tries to convince me.
“I agreed to go, but I think I will meet him someplace. I don’t feel like having my parents meet him and having them get all excited about it.”
“Suit yourself, I understand that. Meet him someplace for dinner.”
“Let me text him now.”
Clarissa: Where do you want to meet up for dinner?
Jason: Can I come pick you up?
Clarissa: No I will meet you, you name the place.
Jason: Modo Mio in the Crystal Cove shopping center.
Clarissa: Sounds good, what time?
Jason: How does 6:00 sound?
Clarissa: Perfect, see you then.
“Let’s go shopping!” I say.
TEN
JASON
I’m not sure what’s up with Clarissa, but I think she may have broken things off with her mystery man. I suspected as much when she said she would be coming home this weekend rather than spending it with him. I really was planning to come down to Orange County this weekend anyway and now I have an excuse. I’m happy she agreed to have dinner with me tonight and I’m hoping to get her to come over to my place afterwards. I don’t really get why I can’t go and pick her up. I’ve never had to pursue a girl this hard, but she has gotten under my skin and I must have her. I’m wearing down her defenses; a girl can only resist my charms for so long.
I pull up in front of the restaurant at the appointed hour and she’s not here yet so I get out of my car to wait out front for her. I see her pull up in her red BMW and the first thing I see are her shapely legs as she gets out of her car. She’s looks enticing as she walks towards me in a short orange dress that clings to her body in all the right places. Her long wavy brown hair bounces off her shoulders and drapes across one side of her gorgeous face. She sweeps the hair out of her eyes sexily before she greets me with a smile that sends warmth through my body. Man, I have it bad for this girl.
“Hi there gorgeous,” I say, greeting her with a hug.