Who You Know (34 page)
“Who the hell are the Muka-Muka?”
“Well, that's just to illustrate. I don't know the worst mating rituals in the world yetâthat's why I need to write a book about it. I'll be like the John Gray of international relations between men and women. I'll be like an anthropologist studiously researching the most important issue known to humankind: love.”
“And along the way, as you're doing all this important academic research, you might just happen to stumble on Mr. Right.”
Damn. Sometimes it's a problem that this girl knows me so well. “Well, you know, if it just so happens that way . . . But you have to come with me. You have money saved.”
She pushes the kitchen door open with her butt and delivers the sodas to her table. She drops off a bill at another, then clears off the plates at yet another. I hover at the doorway of the kitchen, waiting for her.
“How much do you have saved?” I ask her as soon as she gets back.
“Order up!” Lance says.
Tate checks the order and starts balancing the plates on her arms. “I'm not sure exactly. Maybe five thousand.”
Five grand! And she makes a lot less money than I do. Granted, she doesn't need a car, she lives with four roommates, and she doesn't need to spend a dime on her wardrobe for work, but still, I'm impressed.
“What are you going to do with it? What could be better than traveling the world with your friend? Come on, Tate, we need some adventure. We need to shake things up a bit.”
“Where were you thinking about going?”
“I don't know. I'd like to see the whole world, but I don't have nearly enough vacation time saved up for that. How about Europeâthe countries are small so we knock out a bunch at once. Paris . . . Italy . . . Germany . . .”
“But we don't speak those languages.”
“So? It'll be an adventure. You're not scared, are you?” Okay, I admit I'm being manipulative. I know Tate well enough to know that the best way to get her to do something is to accuse her of being scared to do it.
“Of course I'm not scared!” She stomps out of the kitchen and delivers the order. When she returns, she pulls me aside conspiratorially. “What about our jobs?”
“I'll work it out with my boss, ask if they can hire a temp for a while or something. And Jack will understand. His waiters are always taking off on road trips for weeks at a time.”
“That's true.”
“So you're thinking about it?”
“When are you thinking of going?”
“As soon as possible.”
“You'll plan everything?”
“Of course. Come on, it'll be the adventure of a lifetime. And maybe you'll find your soul mate. Another free spirit just like you.”
She bites her lip. “It might be fun.”
“It'll be a blast.”
“Do you really think we could do this?”
“Of course we can.”
She nods. “This is crazy.”
“You love crazy.”
She's still nodding. “Tell me when I should show up at the airport.”
“Yes!” I give her an enormous hug. “It's going to be the experience of a lifetime,” I assure her.
It's a big promise, but there is no doubt in my mind that it's a promise I can keep.
STRAPLESS BOOKS are published by
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Copyright © 2003 by Theresa Alan
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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ISBN: 978-0-7582-0479-0
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