Scandal

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

A warm breeze ruffled my hair as I sat at patio table at a popular bistro. The weather had been fantastic the past few days, and it was nice to be able to sit outside and enjoy some lunch. I picked at my Cobb salad and mentally savored the sushi I had just ordered. Like was far too short to be eating just a salad for lunch.

On that particular day, I was having lunch with Rose, my favorite person in the world. I’d been in need of some serious girl talk after my debacle at the wedding. She was just the person to help me get through the ridiculousness that was my current life.

Thank god there had been no further incidents at the wedding. I couldn't have been called the poster child for being elegantly wasted, but I had to do what I could to forget what had happened earlier that day. I’d also managed to successfully avoid Sol the entire night. I knew enough of the guests to be able to keep myself busy mingling. By the conclusion of the night, Sol was whispering into the ear of another girl at the bar, so it all worked out in the end.

“I don't know what the big deal is,” Rose muttered, watching me pick at the salad.

I looked up, eyebrow raised. “Seriously? You don't? I got hot and rather heavy in the bathroom with my stepbrother.”

Rose snickered. “It does sound X-rated when you say it. But the truth of the matter is you had no idea who he was. It's not like you found out and then dragged him into the bathroom to get some sibling action going. You didn't, right?”

I stuck my tongue out at her. “Don't start. I think it's bad enough as it is.”

“Oh, come on, Sasha. So what if you made out with him? He's not actually your brother, and had your parents not gotten married, you guys would be nothing to each other.”

I shook my head. “Rose, you can act as blasé about it as you want, but there’s not a single person in my family—or anywhere—that would be okay with me hooking up with my stepbrother. It's just way too taboo. Blood relation or not, it's a little frowned upon, I think.”

“I don't know. Remember that show we used to watch years ago? Gossip Girl? It was exactly the same thing. Serena and Dan met, dated, and the next thing they knew, Serena's mom was confessing her love for Dan's dad. Yes, they ended up breaking things off because of it, but in the end, they got back together because they loved each other and were mature enough to separate that love from what their parents had.”

“Great. I'm glad you're comparing me to a TV series that was known for its scandalous nature.”

“Those people were the elite. You might as well get used to that—you're going to end up one of them.”

“No, I'm not.”

“Your new stepfather is a billionaire, Sasha. Even if they get divorced, there was no prenup. Your mother will be set for life.”

“Well, I prefer to stay away from that kind of lifestyle.”

“So . . . you're really not going to see Sol again?”

“Of course not. Even if I wanted to, which I don't, he was attached to another girl by the end of the reception.”

“Well, do you blame the guy? You blew him off the whole time.”

“Of course I did. Why are you acting like this was just some guy I met? He's my stepbrother. It’s beyond wrong.”

“Sasha, get a grip. It's not like real siblings . . . obviously. It's just a complication, and that's all. So you got a little crazy in the bathroom—you guys didn't even know each other. It’s hardly the end of the world.”

“Well, it feels like it is.”

“Everyone has crazy families these days. Some are worse than others, but they're all mixed up.”

“You’re actually suggesting that I start something up with him?”

“Absolutely. He's hot. Insanely hot. I saw the pictures. And you obviously have some weird connection with him because the two of you went into the bathroom, and you participated in some very non-Sasha-like behavior. For all you know, he's the only guy who can bring that side of you alive.”

“Whoa! Now you're going way too far with this. For one, it's not a great achievement to almost have s*x in a public restroom, and two, I doubt he's the only guy I’ll have that kind of chemistry with.”

“Sasha, you're both adults. I'm sure you can make something work if you really want to. I'm sure even your parents could be adults about it if they knew you were in love.”

“Well thankfully, I'm not, so let's not worry about it.”

Rose laughed. “I know you're not—but you could be if you gave it a shot.”

“Sorry, Rose, I'm not buying this for a minute. It's too crazy, and I'm actually not looking for my family to get any more mixed up and crazy than it already is. In fact, I intend to avoid Sol as much as possible. I didn't know he existed before the wedding, so it shouldn't be too hard to avoid him now.”

I smiled at the waitress as she approached our table. She set down two plates of sushi, and my mouth started watering immediately.

“Looks delicious, thank you.”

“Let me know if you need anything else.” She turned and left us to our meal. I was ravenous, so I dug in, starting by adding soy sauce to my plate. I dipped one of my rolls and popped it into my mouth.

“I think you’ll find it harder to avoid a man who seeks you out,” Rose said before eating one of her own rolls.

“He's not seeking me out, Rose. I haven't heard a world from him since the wedding. I probably won't see him until Christmas—or whatever big family event is next. And that’s more than fine with me.”

Rose snickered. “We'll see. I still think you should give it a shot. He might actually be good for you. It seems like he’s able to bring you out of your shell more than any of those other guys you dated.”

“Let's not get into my exes—unless you want to talk about some of yours,” I said, laughing. “Besides, I'm not looking to get involved with someone. I’ve got a brand new job that I'm super excited about, and right now, I just want to get my life back on track.”

“Yeah, of course, the new job. So tell me about it.”

“Well, I don’t know a whole lot about it actually. I was just given an address and a manager's name. But as soon as I graduated, I applied to this temp agency, and after losing my last job two weeks ago, I really needed something fast. Luckily, they were able to place me with a great company, and I get to start right away. I couldn't have asked for better timing.”

“So what exactly is the job?”

“I’ll be the executive secretary and assistant for the CEO, whom I have yet to meet. Again, I only have the manager's name. But I'm pretty pumped. It’s definitely a step up from working as a secretary at a dealership, right?”

“Of course. It’s awesome! I'm so excited for you! A position like that could really open a lot of doors.”

“I know. I can't wait to start my new life.”

“Speaking of Gossip Girl, though, why not just sit on your laurels and live the life of a socialite? You’re bound to be getting a trust fund just like Sol has, so why go be someone's secretary when you can be having high tea with the Upper East Side?”

I smiled while I dipped another roll. “It's not really my scene. Having that kind of money, that lifestyle, would be really hard to get used to, I think.”

“It wouldn't be for me.”

I laughed. “Well, that's because you're outgoing and adventurous. I'm neither of those things. I wouldn't fit in with people like that. I'm not from that world. I don’t get driven to work in a limousine, and we've never had a maid. I'm not sure how mother landed Roger, but she set her sights much higher than I ever would have. Besides, what would I have to talk about with people in those circles? ”

“I'm sure you’d find it's easier than you think to get used to the good life.”

“Maybe. But for now, I'm okay with making my own way and my own life. I don't need my mother doing it for me. I’d rather have high tea with you any day than any socialite out there.”

“Right back at you, sister.”

*