When she texted back that she had to work, so needed to know the exact time, he just answered, Ill find you.
That sounded so exciting. And now, here he was.
Sunnie grinned and almost said aloud, Isnt he wonderful?
But she realized Jillian and Gram thought Mr. Dunaway was cute, so shed be wasting her time.
How you doing, Shorty? Derrick winked at her. I cant wait for tonight.
Sunnie nodded, trying to not look too excited.
Hed said hed teach her a few things when they were alone. Shed bet it wouldnt be Texas history or where Patton was buried.
When shed asked for a hint, he laughed. Dont worry, we cant go too far. Youre jailbait, but we can still have fun.
Sunnie wasnt sure what all that fun might be, but she planned to be a quick learner. Most girls her age had had several boyfriends, but when you were a head taller than every boy in your class all the way through middle school, theres not much interest. Only now, Derrick was two inches taller than her. Hed nicknamed her Shorty the first time hed talked to her.
He was the first boy who ever flirted with her. Shed been leaning over the railing at a football game a few months ago, and hed walked right up to her and run his hand along her spine as if he couldnt wait to touch her.
When she straightened, hed smiled. Most boys backed away. The others didnt realize that the way she dressed was in everywhere but this small town. Hadnt they ever walked Sixth Street in Austin? She dressed like the kids from the university did on weekends. Shed seen them once. She wasnt clueless.
Derrick said he liked her light blond hair and her dark makeup. He swore it made her look wickedly sexy.
You about ready to quit work? he asked as he moved behind the counter with her.
No. I have to work until five. She kept folding squares of material. She loved how he moved closer and didnt seem to care he was breaking Grams rule about no one behind the counter that didnt work in the shop.
He moved a little closer and glanced around, making sure no one was near. Then he slid his hand over her hip and leaned close to whisper, You got a nice butt, Shorty. You wear any underwear beneath those holey pants?
She didnt move. His hands, still on her, were below the counter. No one could see what he was doing. If she didnt react, no one would know.
His hand moved again, patting her bottom this time like she was some kind of pet. I cant feel any. Maybe youre one of those girls who wears a thong.
She didnt like the way he was talking, but this was Derrick. He must know what he was doing. She was just being skittish, like a girl whod never had a boyfriend.
When he gripped her hip in his hand so hard she knew he was bruising her, she stepped away, banging her side into the cash register.
Sorry, he said. But its not my fault youre so damn touchable.
When she let out a nervous giggle, he leaned close and said, Tonight well go somewhere really alone. I plan to examine a few more parts of your body. Play along, Shorty, and I wouldnt be surprised if youre not wearing my senior ring by Monday morning.
It wasnt exactly romantic, but she didnt need romantic. She wanted real. Life was hard and cruel. Why should love be any different? Besides, Derrick was just a now guy. She didnt see them as a couple forever. She never wanted anyone to matter to her as much as her mother had when she died.
Where are we going? she asked as she moved a few inches away. She had no doubt her father would ask.
I thought wed drive over to Tyler and catch a show. We could warm up a little in the back row.
What are we seeing?
Who cares? Something rated R.
Sunnie nodded as if she agreed with the plan.
Any chance you get a break from this prison? We could sit in my car and look up whats showing. Derrick bumped her shoulder with his fist.
Yeah, she said as Jillian stepped from the office. Oh, Sunnie said louder than necessary, Derrick, this is Jillian. She works here with Gram.
Derrick nodded. Nice camera.
Sunnie had the feeling he was looking more at Jillians breasts than the camera hanging just below them.
Jillian lifted the camera and sat it on the counter, but Derricks gaze continued to stare at her chest.
To Sunnies surprise, Jillians smile seemed to say that she thought of Derrick as a boy, not a man. Take off for lunch if you like, Sunnie. You did a good job this morning. You need a break.
The woman had obviously heard Derricks question, but she couldnt have seen him touch her. Shed turned her attention back to her camera, totally dismissing them both.
Derrick didnt seem in any hurry to leave. You from around here, Jillian? He said her name slow and low as he turned away from Sunnie.
It is Jillian, isnt it? I know I would have remembered seeing you.
No. Just passing through. She didnt look up.
Its a shame. I like your name, among other things.
Sunnie watched as Derricks gaze rolled over Jillian like thin paint.
She had heard the phrase undressing someone with his eyes but shed never seen it happen before. Derricks look was pure predator, like hed just tossed aside a rabbit for a deer in the trap. Only Sunnie was the rabbit, and she had a feeling Jillian was the deer in his sights.
Sunnie didnt hear Jillians answer. She was too furious to breathe as she grabbed Derricks arm and almost dragged him out of the store.
What? he yelled. The door chime sounded more like a clank.