A Good Little Girl Like You (A Sample)

what he was doing. He needed a few seconds to convince

himself that he wasn't going crazy. Finally, he looked at

Dan. "You weren't kidding when you said she was a killer."

He threw his hands in the air and let them collapse in his

lap.

He turned to Kay. "I accept your bet. One hundred

million dollars for Constance to donate, if I can't bring a

woman out to Malibu who doesn't know who I am." He

shook hands with Kay, then wagged a finger at her and Dan.

"But you're going to lose, so you two better get ready for

some surfing lessons when you return from your

honeymoon."

He pursed his lips and turned to look at Constance.

"And don't you get your hopes up too high, either."

Constance glanced at the ceiling. Her tight smile seemed to

be holding back a laugh.

Kay stared at O.E., her mouth formed in a circle. "You

know, I really didn't expect you to agree to this, but I'm glad

you're taking it seriously. I honestly think it will help your

love life to stop boasting so much."

Dan stood up and held his hand out to Kay. "I think

we've done enough damage here-it's time to go." He

looked around to Constance and O.E. "Early flight to Tahiti

tomorrow. We'll see you next month." Dan shook O.E.'s

hand and gave Constance a hug.

They were about to leave when O.E. pulled Dan aside.

"Listen, Dan, can I borrow your place while you're gone? I

can't bring a woman to my home, it screams wealth. Yours is

more modest. And most importantly, it isn't mine." He shot

a wry smile. "I can honestly say, 'I'm house-sitting for Dan

Avery,' and nobody will figure out who I really am. Get it?"

Dan quirked a smile. "Why not?" He reached into his

pocket and handed over some keys. "Don't anger the

neighbors, and try and keep your bodily fluids off the

artwork."

O.E. grinned. "It's a deal."

Kay gave them both hugs. "Have fun, O.E. I actually

hope you win."

After they left, Constance regarded O.E. "As much as I'd

like to see you lose, I have to admit that I hope you win, too.

Go get her, Oscar!"

Oscar! Ouch. He frowned at the mention of his name

and experienced his first pang of regret at having accepted

the bet. It didn't matter either way. Now he had something

new to do, and dammit, he was going to do it. O.E. got up

from the table and laid a tiny grin on Constance. "Watch