It was nine o’clock Saturday morning and the doorbell rang to Martina’s apartment. Most people probably would’ve been annoyed. Like her roommate, Keri. She’d probably start groaning any minute. But Martina was awake, reviewing an account. She’d already jogged five miles. She was showered, made up, and dressed. She hurried to the door. “Hang on!” she called.
She opened the door and took a step back. A guy dressed as a ship captain handed her a balloon bouquet attached to a tiny box. “All aboard for a weekend of fun. The Central High Class of 2002 requests your presence at the festivities for your ten-year reunion. Open the box for all the information.” His delivery lacked the enthusiasm his costume conveyed.
Martina blinked at him. “I already got an invitation in the mail two months ago. I threw it out.” That day, Martina had opened a succession of small boxes until she found the reunion invitation and flash drive in the last box. She wasn’t interested back then and she still wasn’t now. Even before she had gotten that invitation, class secretary Chelsea Hallman had personally called her, telling Martina the committee really hoped she could come, which had made her that much more determined not to attend.
The deliveryman was still holding the balloon bouquet. “I’m following up with a special invitation to those guests who didn’t respond to the first one.”
“Wow. Guess they really want me to come.”
He shifted his weight from foot to foot. “Look, I have a few other stops today. I’m supposed to stay and make sure you actually watch the presentation in here.” He tapped the box. “Can you just promise to watch it?”
“No need to come in. I’ll go watch it now,” Martina said, taking the balloons and the box from him.
“Thanks.” He tipped his hat and trudged down the hall.
Keri wandered out of her room with a scowl, wrapping on a kimono. “That better have been Publisher’s Clearing House with a giant check for me. One of those huge ones that you can’t really hold.” She looked up and frowned. “I don’t see a big check.”
“No, this is the exact opposite of good news for you. It’s bad news for me—another invitation for my ten-year class reunion.” Martina opened the box and found a maroon flash drive in the same shade as their school colors with their school mascot etched onto it. The Jefferson Jousters. A guy holding a giant shish-kebab skewer. Of course, everyone had always called them the Jefferson Jesters. She dropped the flash drive onto her palm.
Keri squinted at it. “That’s the invitation? Are you sure you haven’t been assigned to a secret spy mission?” She dropped her voice. “Do you work for the CIA?” Keri snapped her fingers. “That’s why you’re so responsible and never party. Wait, do you have a file on me?” Keri held up a hand. “I can explain that nude picture in the park three years ago. It’s not what you think.” Keri twisted her lips. “Actually, it’s probably exactly what you think.”
Martina blinked at her. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m really just an accountant, not a spy.” She sat down and slid the flash drive into her computer. A group of people appeared on the screen and started singing and dancing on a yacht. Confetti rained down on them. A marching band appeared.
Keri leaned over her shoulder. “Is that an episode of Glee?”
Martina squinted at it. “No, I think it’s the reunion invitation. I heard Tripp McCall is bankrolling the whole thing.”
“The guy who owns McCall Me Inc.?” Keri whistled and walked into their kitchen. “Are you going to go?”
Martina closed her computer. “No.”
“Why not? Looks like it’s going to be the party of the century.” Keri poured herself a bowl of cereal. “If you like all that high school spirit crap.”
“I don’t. I left high school way behind me.”
“What do you mean?” Keri had only been her roommate for six months. There were still many secrets to be shared, although when Martina had answered the roommate-wanted ad, Keri had told her in the first five minutes of the conversation that she was a lesbian, so really, Martina should be a little more forthcoming with information.
Martina closed her eyes. “I was different back in high school.”
Keri settled on the couch with her bowl. “Different how? Were you the ugly duckling? Cause you look great now. That would be awesome to go back and be all like, look at me now, suckers! All you’d need is a sexy dress and you’d be a hit. You can borrow one of mine. I’ve seen your wardrobe. You’ve got nothing that would work.”
“What?”
Keri waved her spoon in the air. “I needed a pair of red stilettos one night and looked in your closet. I don’t know why I ever imagined you’d have a pair.”
“Actually, that’s the kind of stuff I wore in high school.”
“Oh. I get it. You were Class Slut,” Keri whispered. Then she slurped a big mouthful of cereal.
“No, Class Flirt! But I’m not like that anymore. And I don’t feel like hanging out with a bunch of people who will only be able to see me the way they saw me ten years ago.”
Keri pointed the spoon at her, a drop of milk dribbling onto the coffee table. “I’d want to prove them wrong. I went to mine just to confirm for everyone that yes, I’m a lesbian. I wasn’t exactly out of the closet in high school.” She shrugged. “Everyone was really cool about it.”
Martina picked up her files. “I don’t care what they think.”
“Still, you should go. Not for them, but for yourself. Clearly, you’re still hung up on your image from high school. Showing up and showing off the new you might help put this whole flirt thing behind you.” Keri cocked her head. “Are you sure they didn’t vote you Class Flirt as a joke?”
Martina frowned. She frowned a lot more often than she’d like to admit. “No. They voted the homecoming queen as a joke, but not me. I earned it, believe me.”
“So, how did you change? Nothing about you seems flirty now. No offense.”
Martina held the files against her chest like she could keep the memories away from her heart. “Let’s just say I made some big mistakes along the way. I don’t need to be reminded of them when I go.”
Keri stood up with a hand on her hip. “Hiding from your mistakes only makes them bigger. Like shadows in your room when you’re a kid. Once you face them, you realize they’re not so bad.”
Martina tossed her folders onto the couch. “Oh yeah? I sent a topless picture of myself to a guy and it ended up on the Girls Get It On website. I’m well aware of how bad it was.”
Keri fell back on the couch, laughing. “Girls Get It On? You?” More laughter. “No you didn’t.”
“I did.”
Keri kept laughing until she was out of breath. “Seriously?”
Martina crossed her arms. “Seriously.”
Keri wiped away a tear. “Were you super drunk?”
“No. Just super stupid.”
Sitting up, Keri looked Martina up and down. “Well, I don’t blame you. You really do have spectacular breasts. They must’ve been exquisite ten years ago. And I’m not hitting on you; you’re too uptight for me. I’m saying it out of pure art appreciation.” Keri looked down at her chest. “If mine looked like yours, I’d take off my top for people, too. All the time.”
“Don’t you already do that? Like every weekend?”
Keri ignored her. “If they had boob models, you could totally be one.”
“They do. They’re called porn stars.”
“Right. Well, a bra model then,” Keri said.
“Um, thank you? But for everyone back at Jefferson High, I’m the girl who flirted with their boyfriends and ended up half-nude online. There were plenty of slutty girls. There were these triplets…” Martina shook her head. “But ending up topless online trumps just about anything three flexible sisters could do.”
“Then you have to go. They’re all going to be gossiping about you if you don’t.” Keri gave her a sympathetic look.
“And they’ll all be gossiping about me if I do show up.”
“But at least you’ll be there to hold your head high. Let them see you’ve moved on.” Keri tipped her chin up as if to demonstrate.
Martina glanced at the papers next to her, suddenly not so eager to catch up on her work. She’d always poured herself into her career, but what did she have to show for it? No family, just a few friends. She had thought it was the escape she’d been looking for, but it only left her feeling empty. “I’m sure none of them will talk to me. They’ll probably be worried about me flirting with their dates.”
“So bring a date. Then you won’t seem so threatening.”
“I’m not dating anyone.”
Keri sucked in a breath and clasped her hands together. “Bring me! You can pretend you’re a lesbian, then no one will be worried about you flirting with their guys. And they’ll probably all be so shocked they’ll forget the whole Girls Get It On picture. I’ll be touchy-feely without actually kissing you. Unless you want me to.”
“I think I’ll pass.”
Keri frowned. “On the kiss?”
“On bringing you as my date. Or going to the damn thing at all.”
Keri set down her bowl and stood up. “You really should think about it some more. What could be more satisfying than showing them you’re so much more than what they think? Do this for you. And for me. I want to hear all about it later.”
Keri had a point. It might bring some closure. “I don’t know. Maybe. If I can find someone to bring.”
Keri opened her mouth, but Martina interrupted. “A man to bring.”
Keri sat back down, frowning.
***
Monday morning, Martina made a list of possible dates. There were a few guys she was friendly with at the gym, but no one she knew well enough to ask. You don’t just ask the guy on the treadmill next to yours if he could pass the cleaning spray and if he’d like to take you to your class reunion—once you catch his name. It’d have to be someone she worked with. She made a list of all the single guys, then casually inquired around the office whether or not they had girlfriends. When Toby from sales dropped by her desk with a lunch invitation and Jim from IT called to ask what she was doing that weekend, Martina realized it must look like she was trolling for men. Which she was, technically, but just for a date and nothing more than that. Toby and Jim were players, so that wouldn’t work. She had to wrap this up quickly before she tarnished her reputation as a serious, hardworking accountant. There were a few silly girls in marketing who did their fair share of flirting. She didn’t want to be lumped in with them.
During lunch, Martina reviewed her list. There were three possible candidates. Greg in HR was a few years older than her and always seemed to be staring at her. She didn’t know if she could take a whole night of that. Matt was four years younger and might not be willing to give up an evening of video gaming. That left Jackson in sales as her best candidate. He seemed as conservative as she was, was polite and professional, and hadn’t ever given her a second look. She figured she could ask him the favor without him expecting anything X-rated in return.
Martina looked at her watch. Lunch was over in fifteen minutes and the reunion was in two weeks. She should get this over with before she could talk herself out of it. Because Keri was right. Martina needed to get back her pride.
Swallowing a groan, Martina walked back to Jackson’s desk. It was really hard to get men to do things for you without flirting, she’d learned. When she got to his workstation, she cleared her throat.
He looked up. “Oh, hi Martina. I thought you didn’t need those forms until tomorrow?” Jackson asked, turning in his chair to face her.
“No, you’re right. Tomorrow is fine. That’s not why I’m here. I have a rather unusual question to ask. A favor really.” She smiled and wondered how fake it looked.
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, giving her a curious grin. “This is a first.” Jackson was a good-looking guy, but just as buttoned-up as she was. His rich brown eyes smiled behind horn-rimmed glasses. Seeing the way his arms bulged as he crossed them, she suspected he spent some time at the gym outside of work. But he was the perfect, conservative guy to bring as a date. Someone who wouldn’t raise any eyebrows. Someone who looked like the male version of her.
“This is a bit embarrassing. But my high school reunion is coming up, and I’d like to go, but for a number of reasons, I don’t want to go alone.” She paused for a breath and tried to slow down. “So, I was wondering if you might come as my date? Just as friends of course. It’s in two weeks. I’m only going to the Friday event, so it’s just one night.”
He smiled without saying anything for a bit. She wondered if he was trying to come up with a good excuse to say no. Then he shrugged. “My ten-year reunion was a blast. Everyone should go to theirs, including you. I don’t have any plans that night. Sure, I’ll go with you.”
She sighed and smiled. “Thanks so much.”
“Just tell me where and when to pick you up.”
Martina gave him the information and headed back to her desk, surprised she was actually going to do this. And suddenly a bit excited, too. She looked back over her shoulder at Jackson and felt a little surge through her belly she hadn’t felt in a very long time.
***
Jackson watched Martina walk away. She had a very nice rear view, but man, that woman was uptight. He’d never met anyone who was all business, all the time. That’s why it was so surprising for her to ask him about anything that wasn’t work related. He was hoping at some point she’d tell him why she needed to bring a date to her reunion. He chuckled to himself. Maybe she was trying to drum up business for the company to keep all the positions in the accounting department relevant. Sounded like something she’d do.
But maybe it was something incredibly embarrassing. Maybe she’d been an ugly duckling back in high school and didn’t want to show up single. Whatever it was, he hoped he wouldn’t have to punch anyone before the night was over. Jackson tried hard to maintain his professional image at work. If anyone knew he was a former bouncer trying to earn enough money to open a string of tattoo studios, business as an elementary school educational software salesman would dry up without a doubt. He figured one more year working here and he’d have enough to quit and bankroll his first location. He worked a few nights a week inking at his buddy’s place just to keep his skills sharp.
Jackson smiled at Martina as he left the office at five. He wondered how long her hair was. It was always pulled back in that bun. It was a nice color. She had a pretty face with pouty lips and high cheekbones. And her body was smokin’ hot. But somehow, she just didn’t exude sexy. She certainly didn’t send off any “I’m available” signals, but clearly she was single if she was asking him to be her date. The more he thought about it, Martina was a mystery he’d like to unravel.
If she let him have a chance. And that seemed unlikely.
***
For the next two weeks, Martina kept catching herself watching Jackson. He probably was going to think she had a secret crush on him and that inviting him to the reunion had just been a ploy. It’s not that he wasn’t attractive. He was. Very much so. Now that they had made these plans, she was self-conscious around him. They’d smile and say hi as usual, but there was no discussion of the date or any phone calls. Guess the invitation hadn’t aroused any curiosity, Martina thought. Which was fine. They worked together and she didn’t need an office romance derailing her career.
But still, it had been so long since she’d had a serious boyfriend, it was hard not to imagine what her life would be like with a man in it. She had thought her career would be satisfying enough. And it had been for a while. But with the big thirty knocking on the door and a ten-year class reunion to attend, it got her to reevaluating her life. Her parents lived across the country but kept in contact often enough to harass her about the grandchildren they were hoping for. But lately, they’d given up and seemed to be refocusing their efforts on her younger sister, who was only twenty-two.
But Jackson wouldn’t be solving that problem for her. He was taking her to her reunion and that was favor enough. The two weeks flew by and finally, the day of the reunion, she approached him during lunch. “So, we’re still on for tonight, right? My reunion?”
“Of course. I’ll pick you up at seven,” he said.
She smiled nervously and hurried back to her desk, feeling like she was back in high school the way her stomach turned over as she thought about the night ahead.
***
After work, Martina put on the midnight-blue suit she’d bought just for the reunion. It definitely did not shout sexy or flirty. If anything, it said stay away. She brushed out her hair and it went back up in a bun, and she touched up her neutral makeup. She took her contacts out and put on her glasses.
She went out in the living room and stood in front of Keri. “What do you think?”
Keri frowned. “Are you going to a funeral first? Interviewing for a librarian position at a convent? At least tell me there’s a see-through lace camisole under that jacket.”
Martina looked down and picked a piece of lint off her sleeve. “No. That’s the kind of thing I would’ve worn once upon a time.”
“Let’s just hope your date can keep his hands off you in that.” Keri rolled her eyes.
The doorbell rang. “That’s him,” Martina said.
“I want to meet him! If he’s not good enough, I’m still available,” Keri called out.
Martina dashed to the door and opened it. “Hi, Jackson. Come in.”
He stepped inside and Keri stood up and waved. “Hi, there.”
“Jackson, this is my roommate, Keri.”
He walked over and shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Keri walked around him, eyeing him up like a cat inspecting a bird in a cage. “You, too. Very nice of you to help Martina with her plan.”
Jackson cocked an eyebrow. “Plan?”
“Keri,” Martina hissed.
“Oops. Well, you two have fun. I’m going to enjoy a nice long Netflix binge tonight, so don’t hurry home.” She winked and sauntered off to her room, already wearing her kimono.
“What are you not telling me?” Jackson asked. He looked slightly amused.
“It’s nothing. I just didn’t want to show up alone. So try to pretend this isn’t the very last thing you’d like to be doing tonight.”
“It’s not. We never get to talk at work. It’ll be nice to get to know you better, Martina.” He opened the door and led her out to his car.
She climbed in and they headed for the reunion. Jackson looked like he always did, dressed in a conservative suit, although he’d left off the tie. “You said it was casual, right?” he asked, catching her looking at him.
“Right. You look perfect.” And she meant it. Jackson looked more casual, and he seemed much more relaxed than he usually did at work.
“You look great,” he said. Actually, she looked exactly the same as she did every day at work, she realized. There really had been no need to buy a new outfit.
Jackson pulled up to the bar, where there was free valet parking.
“Did I tell you Tripp McCall is paying for all this? He graduated in my class,” she said.
“No way. The guy who owns McCall Me?” Jackson whistled.
“It should be a good party, if nothing else.” Martina got out of the car and squared her shoulders. She could do this. She could totally do this.
Jackson left his keys with the valet and opened the door of the bar for her. “I can’t believe they closed this down for a private party. I don’t think they’ve ever done that.”
“Tomorrow’s dinner is on a yacht. Sunday they’ve rented a country club for some picnic thing.”
“You sure you don’t want to go all three days?”
She adjusted her glasses. “I’m totally sure.”
When they stepped inside, Brandi Parkman and Alyssa White were sitting at the registration table. Brandi smiled at her curiously. “Hi, there.”
“Hello.” Martina tried to smile but probably looked like she’d stubbed her toe. Her heart had kicked up a notch and she had a death grip on her clutch. Suddenly, this seemed like a very bad idea.
Brandi tilted her head and squinted her eyes at her. “I’m sorry, I’m not recognizing you.”
“Martina Klein.”
Alyssa’s jaw dropped while Brandi jabbed Alyssa with her elbow.
“Marti? Wow, you look so different,” Brandi said, writing Marti on a name tag. “I would’ve gotten you one of the customized name tags everyone else has, but I didn’t think you were coming.” Brandi pointed to the tag with her name and high school yearbook picture. She handed Martina the sticker with her name on it.
“It was a last-minute decision. And I’m going by Martina now,” she said.
“Oh, sorry.” Brandi ripped up the name tag and wrote out a new one. “And who is this with you?” Brandi’s eyebrows arched and her gaze traveled over Jackson.
“My date, Jackson.”
Jackson put his arm around her and Martina sucked in a breath. Oh, she did not want to admit how good that felt. How sad. All it took was an arm around her waist to get her hormones reeling.
Brandi wrote Jackson’s name down on another tag. “Well, the boys will be disappointed you’re not here alone.”
Martina gave her a smile. “High school was a long time ago.” She clasped her hands in front of her to keep them from shaking.
“You two have fun!” Alyssa said. “We’re going to have a ball drop at midnight!”
“And a bubble machine!” Brandi added. “And some other surprises, too.” She winked at Martina.
Jackson steered her toward the bar. “So, you look different and the boys will be disappointed? There’s a story here, and I want to hear it.”
Amazing. It had taken all of ninety seconds to realize this had been a colossal mistake. “It’s nothing. It’s stupid. Can you just get us some drinks? It’s all paid for. Open bar. So wine or whatever they can pour fastest.”
“I’ll be right back.” Jackson left and Martina walked backward, scanning the room. The place was packed. Pictures from the yearbook had been blown up and placed around the room on easels. A big-screen TV showed highlights from prom. Balloons in the school colors filled the room. Taking another step back, she banged into the wall.
She didn’t see one familiar, friendly face. But what had she expected? She hadn’t kept in touch with anyone from high school. Not even on Facebook. She saw a few people looking her way, then whispering. She flattened the palms of her hands against the cool, concrete wall. How long did she have to stay at the reunion to feel like she’d moved beyond all this?
A tall, thin guy walked over. He looked familiar, but she couldn’t remember his name. “Is that you, Marti?” He held out his hand. “Brett Carson. Remember the party after homecoming?”
She remembered trying to fend off a drunk jerk who wouldn’t take no for an answer because she was Marti Klein and everyone knew Marti Klein was more than just a flirt.
“I do. Boring party,” she said.
His smile fell and he looked her over. “I was hoping to see a bit more of you tonight.”
She tipped up her chin. “Sorry to disappoint.”
“Excuse me, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Jackson, Martina’s date.” Jackson put his hand on the small of Martina’s back; she shivered.
“Brett Carson.” He shook Jackson’s free hand. They sized each other up. “I was just taking a walk down memory lane with Party Marti. She was a lot of fun in high school.” Brett took a step back. “I’ll see you two later.”
Martina turned to Jackson. “Thanks.”
“Sorry I didn’t get our drinks. I saw the look on your face and came right over. Who was that?” he asked.
“Just some jerk from high school.”
His mouth curled into a half smile. “Party Marti?”
She looked over at a huge picture of a group of people at homecoming. Martina was right in front of the shot, arms spread wide, showing ample cleavage in her gown. “I made some bad choices in high school. Coming here wasn’t a good idea.”
Jackson didn’t even notice her in the picture. He probably would never imagine that was her. He took her by the arm. “We’re here. Try to make the best of it. Whatever they thought of you a decade ago, show them you’re more than that now.”
Did he have a point? Ten years had passed. People changed. Everyone must have some regrets from high school, right? “I’m going to freshen up in the bathroom.” Martina hurried to the bathroom and locked herself in a stall. She leaned against the door. Why did she care what any of these people thought? Why had she bothered coming? It wasn’t like she was hoping to renew any old friendships. The girls she thought had been her friends abandoned her after her picture showed up on the website. Luckily, she’d made new friends at college and mostly focused on studying instead of partying. So why were tears trickling down her face now? Why couldn’t she move on?
The bathroom door swung open and Martina froze. She wiped away her tears.
“I swear to God every single person from our class came.” Martina didn’t recognize the voice.
“Tripp McCall looks hot.”
“And rich. And he’s back together with Chelsea. So give up that chase.”
“Did you see Marti? Who does she think she’s fooling, dressing like that? And adding glasses?”
“Five bucks says she takes off her top before the night’s over.”
“I’ll have my camera ready.”
The other woman giggled. “I bet Girls Get It On would like an update.” The two of them laughed and left the room.
Rage and sadness roiled in Martina’s stomach. If she was going to puke, at least she was already standing in front of a toilet. But she just stood there, wondering what she had to do to show them they were wrong. Clearly the outfit wasn’t doing it. She shrugged. Maybe they didn’t want to change their minds. Maybe clinging to old high school stereotypes was comforting for them. She inhaled slowly, left the stall, and walked out of the bathroom.
***
Jackson went back to the bar to get their drinks. Martina was taking her time in the bathroom. She certainly had gotten her fair share of looks, although most people hadn’t approached her. Not one smile had slipped across her lips since they’d arrived. She’d come here for a reason, but he couldn’t figure what. It certainly wasn’t to have a good time.
He’d finished another beer by the time she came back. “Everything okay?” he asked.
She nodded but her eyes looked red.
He set his hands on her arms and gave her a soft squeeze. It was disturbing to see the confident, unemotional accountant from work so rattled. “Tell me what’s going on. Maybe I can help.”
Her eyes were wide and she chewed on her lip. She looked like a little girl. “I was totally different in high school.”
Jackson nodded. “I’ve gathered that so far. And you know what? So was I.”
“I was voted Class Flirt.” She looked down at her suit “I sure didn’t dress like this back then.”
“So you’ve grown up. I was a slacker in high school. No one expected much of me.” He shrugged. “People can change. And I did.”
“I guess you did. You’re one of our best sales guys. I see all the financial records, remember? You kick some serious butt.”
He liked hearing her praise. “I work hard.”
His hands were still resting on her arms and she stepped back. “I know you do. And you’re a nice guy. Look at you helping me tonight, coming here when you’re not even interested in me.”
He wanted to tell her that she was wrong. He did like Martina, and that feeling was growing the more time he spent with her. Surprisingly, he also felt protective of her. But she hadn’t invited him here to get to know him better. She’d been right. All she wanted was a favor. She needed support to face a bunch of immature idiots and he was going to do his best to help her.
“I wanted to show everyone they were wrong about me tonight. But nobody can see beyond the old Marti. Good old Party Marti.” She twirled her finger in the air, then looked down.
“What’s so wrong with being the class flirt?” Jackson asked.
She hesitated for a moment. “It was more than that.”
“What? What could you possibly have done that was so bad? Tell me.” He grabbed one of her hands.
She squeezed back and pressed her lips together.
“Come on. Holding it in isn’t helping you, is it?”
She shook her head and closed her eyes.“I did a stupid thing senior year.”
“I did plenty of stupid things senior year, and I’m proud of it.”
“Well, I’m not. I e-mailed a topless picture to a guy.” She opened her eyes, watching his reaction.
His eyebrows rose.
She looked away. “But he didn’t keep it to himself like he promised. It ended up on the Girls Get It On website.”
He said nothing. “And after that you murdered him?”
She laughed, sounding surprised. “No. Isn’t being half-naked on the Internet bad enough?”
“Stupid at worst, but impetuous is more like it. You’re supposed to do stuff like that when you’re a teenager. If you did that now, I might wonder. But when you’re eighteen? That’s a good time to make your fill of regrets.”
Pulling her hand away, she crossed her arms. “The thing is, I really wasn’t that type of person. I just played the role people had put me in.”
“So what kind of girl were you really, then?” he asked, rubbing his chin.
“I was so shy when I was a freshman. I’d only had one boyfriend, and it wasn’t very serious. Then I went out with this older guy, Ted. He was a junior and I couldn’t believe he wanted to go out with me. He was hot and incredibly popular and he’d just broken up with his beautiful girlfriend.”
Jackson nodded for her to go on, certain he wouldn’t like where this story went.
“When I wouldn’t do more with him than I was comfortable with, he dumped me. I was so upset.” Her beautiful voice trembled. “Then it turned out that he hadn’t broken up with his girlfriend. A few people heard he went out with me and everyone thought I cheated with him.”
“Sounds like you were young and naïve. That’s not your fault.”
She nodded slightly, her eyes fixed on the floor. “Well, not long after that, I started getting all this attention from other guys. And I liked it. I started flirting with them, soaking up the attention. I started seeking it out, dressing differently.” She winced, like the memory hurt. “Turns out that guy had told everyone I was easy and that he’d had enough of me. That’s why I was getting all that attention. Of course, everyone believed him.”
He frowned and shook his head. “I’m so sorry. I know I don’t need to tell you a high percentage of men are assholes. Especially when they’re teenagers.”
“I know. I was so stunned, I didn’t know what to do. I don’t know why I didn’t walk up and slap him. I don’t know why I didn’t tell everyone he was lying. Maybe because he was older and popular.” Martina shrugged and her voice was shaky. “But I didn’t. I kept playing the role. I became someone I wasn’t. And here it is ten years later and people still think I’m that person. A flirt who steals boyfriends and takes off her top.”
Jackson’s throat tightened and he put his arms around her, pulling her close. She leaned into him. He wanted to kiss away her frown. He wanted to pick her up and carry her out of here. He wanted to find the guy who’d done this to her and kick his ass. These sudden feelings he had for someone he hardly knew shocked him. “I’m so sorry you went through that. It wasn’t fair. But it looks like you’ve invented a whole new persona for yourself.”
She set her hand against his chest. Jackson liked feeling it there. She looked up at him, her big hazel eyes filled with sadness. “Once I realized what I’d done, I was mortified. In my room that day, I just didn’t think about the consequences that picture could have for me down the road. I knew I needed to change if anyone was ever going to take me seriously in the business world. Everyone at school shunned me after that picture showed up online. I had no friends left.”
“So who cares what these guys think?” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. If they’re that immature to still be stuck back in high school, they’re not worth it.” He looked at her and smiled. “You came tonight and that was great. But you don’t have to stay. Do you want to leave? We can go get a drink, maybe see a movie.”
“No. I can’t slink away. I didn’t stand up for myself in high school. I need to do it now.”
He took her hand in his and squeezed. She looked at him. “You don’t have to pretend to be my boyfriend. Just being here with me is enough.”
“Martina, I want to hold your hand.”
She glanced down at their hands, then into his eyes. “Good.” She squeezed back.
***
Martina liked the feel of Jackson’s hand in hers. He was leading her toward the dance floor when Brandi rushed over and grabbed her other hand. “I need to steal you for just a couple minutes, Marti.”
“Martina.”
“Right.” Brandi looked at Jackson. “Sit tight. I’ll have her back to you in a few.”
Martina was so surprised she let herself be pulled to the front of the bar where a Jefferson High ten-year reunion banner hung overhead. A group of alumni was gathered there.
“What’s going on?” Martina asked.
Brandi smiled. “Something fun. You’ll see.” She had strips of shiny white material draped over her arms. A bad feeling shot through Martina.
Chelsea Hallman and Alyssa White ran up to her. “What is this? What are you doing?” Alyssa asked.
“Brandi, we didn’t want to do this,” Chelsea said. “During the planning meeting we said no.”
Brandi shrugged. “Executive decision from your class president. Don’t worry. It will be fun.”
A few more people joined them up front. Brandi tapped the microphone. “Hello? Can you hear me?” Her voice boomed out of two speakers set up nearby.
The crowd quieted down and a few people yelled, “We can hear you.”
“Thanks so much for coming out and thanks to Tripp McCall for financing this whole event!”
Tripp was standing near the front, not far from Martina. People applauded and whistled and Tripp held up his beer bottle. Hard to believe he was voted Class Clown, Martina thought. That’s when she realized everyone standing around her had been voted one of the class favorites. The guy who’d been voted Class Flirt along with her was at the end of the group, joking around with the guy who’d been voted Most Admired.
It felt the air had been sucked out of her lungs. It was too late to leave now. She looked over at Jackson and his kind smile calmed her down a bit.
“Do you all recognize these guys up here?” Brandi asked the crowd. That got some hooting and hollering from the crowd. “You should. You all voted these people class favorites ten years ago. Tonight, we’re going to honor them again and see what they’re up to.”
Martina froze. Her heart pounded and she forgot to breathe for a moment. Several people started handing out sashes that spelled out each award. Brandi draped the Class Spirit sash over the woman next to her. Then she placed the Class Flirt sash around Martina’s neck. If Martina were anywhere near the front door, she would’ve run out. Then Brandi put the Best Looking sash on Grant. She looked just as mortified as Martina. Chandra’s once-perfect figure was now much heavier.
Once everyone was wearing their sash, Brandi shoved the microphone in Chandra’s face. “You all remember Chandra, Best Looking Girl in our class. What have you been up to, Chandra?”
Before she could answer, someone in the crowd yelled, “Eating!”
Martina cringed. But Chandra looked right at Brandi. “I’ve had some good times the past ten years and some tough times. I’m married and I just had a baby. I just try to take things day by day. It’s nice to catch up with so many old friends.” Martina could see Chandra’s hands shaking.
The snickering in the audience stopped. Brandi looked disappointed and moved on to Tripp. “And ladies and gentlemen, say hello to our Class Clown. What have you been doing these days, Tripp McCall?”
Tripp grinned and shrugged. “I started this little company.”
Everyone laughed. Tripp was one of the top young CEOs in the world after starting his hugely successful Internet calling service, McCall Me.
Then he kissed Chelsea Hallman, standing next to him. “But most importantly, I’m back together with the love of my life, Chelsea.”
That got some applause and a few awws. A couple of boos, too. Probably from women who thought they’d score with a millionaire.
Brandi was getting closer to her and Martina had a hard time swallowing. Just tell them you’re an accountant and let her move on, she thought to herself. Brandi had already talked with a few other class favorites, and Martina was so distracted she didn’t even hear what they said.
Then Brandi paused in front of her. “And I dare say, we should have given out an award tonight for most changed. I bet some of you didn’t recognize our Class Flirt, Party Marti Klein!”
The crowd cheered and someone shouted, “Not with her top on we don’t.” The bar erupted in laughter and Martina clenched her fists. More than embarrassed, she was humiliated that Jackson had to see this. Suddenly, she didn’t care what all these people thought; she only cared about what Jackson thought. And she was horrified to imagine what he was thinking now. She didn’t mean to look at him, but she caught his gaze. He lifted his chin and narrowed his eyes. Then he nodded.
His expression filled her with confidence. She turned to Brandi, who had her hand slapped over her face, stifling a laugh. Brandi tried to compose herself. “I’m sorry, and what have you been up to, Marti?”
Martina felt surprisingly in control. “I’m going by Martina now, and I’m an accountant. I manage a team of four, I graduated summa cum laude from college, and I continue to make colossal mistakes like I did senior year. Because I know none of you have ever made a mistake.” She paused. “Like letting an upperclassmen spread rumors about you and never having the courage to correct him. Like taking on a role because that’s what people expect of you. Like still caring enough about what you all think to bother showing up tonight.” She took off the sash and threw it to the ground. She pushed through the crowd toward Jackson. He was coming for her.
“It’s a boring party anyway. Let’s get out of here,” Jackson said, taking her by the arm and steering her toward the door.
The crowd was chattering as Brandi scrambled to get things back on track. On the way out, Brett Carson stepped front of them. “Dude, ever see your girlfriend’s famous picture?”
Martina squeezed her eyes shut, but not before she saw an image from that night. She was lying on her bed, talking on the phone with Ron, a college guy she’d met at a party a few weeks before. Her friend Laney’s older brother’s had a party and Ron had been there. They’d made out and she really liked him. But that night he was talking like he wanted to end things.
“You’re just a kid,” he’d said.
“I’m eighteen. I’ll be in college next year.”
“We’re both busy. I hardly ever see you,” he argued.
“I can send you a picture. I can e-mail it right now.” She attached a picture from homecoming and sent it to him. Martina did not want to lose him. It was so nice not to have a boyfriend in high school where everyone knew her business. Plus Ron was much more interesting than the guys in school. Most of them had proved to be immature jerks.
“You look hot in that picture,” Ron had said over the phone.
Martina sat at the desk in her bedroom, blushing. “Thanks.”
“Got any with less clothes?” he asked.
Her cheeks were hot. “Probably a few in a bathing suit.”
“I was thinking less than that.”
“Ron!”
He groaned. “See, you are just a kid. In college, sending a nude photo is no big deal. Everyone does it. But I understand. You’re still in high school. Like I said, we’re really in different places right now.”
She stared at the digital camera she’d gotten for her Christmas a few weeks back. She wouldn’t send him a naked picture, but topless wasn’t so bad, was it? People went to topless beaches all the time and it was no big deal. “No, it’s fine,” she said. “I’m cool with it. You won’t show anyone, right?”
“No way. This is just for me.”
Her throat felt tight and the back of her neck was hot. “Just give me a few minutes and I’ll send you one.”
“You’re going to take it right now?” he asked.
“Yeah.” She set the phone down and ran over to her door, locking it. Her mom was downstairs doing homework with her little brother, but just in case, she couldn’t risk her coming in. Martina leaned against the door, tried to slow down her racing heart, and then grabbed the bottom of her shirt. Her hands were shaking. She scolded herself for acting like a baby. This is what adults did in adult relationships. And if she wanted a relationship with a college guy, she needed to play by different rules. She pulled off her shirt and tossed it aside. Then she undid her bra and let it slide to the floor. She walked over to her desk and grabbed the camera. She avoided the mirror and sat on her bed.
Goose bumps bubbled up on her skin. Slowly, she leaned back against her headboard, Christmas lights still draped between the posts. She tipped up one shoulder in what hopefully looked like a sexy pose and held the camera in front of her. She pressed the button and the flash went off. Chances were she blinked, so she took a few more.
Quickly pulling her shirt back on, she sat down at her computer and uploaded the pictures. She squeezed her eyes shut as the images appeared on the screen. Once she got a surge of courage she looked at them. She’d been right. She blinked in the first picture. But the other pictures showed her wide eyes staring at the camera, her breasts perky and exposed. She wasn’t smiling in any of them.
She picked the best of the bunch and attached it to an e-mail message, typing into the subject line “For your eyes only.” Then she typed a message. “What do you think?” She hit the send button, then sat on her hands while she waited for him to respond.
A few minutes later, she got a message back. “Very hot. How about taking everything off?”
Jerk, she thought. “That’s enough for now. We’ll talk about it more when I see you next.”
But she hadn’t seen him again. She’d called him a few more times and he always gave her excuses why he didn’t have time to meet. Then he just stopped taking her calls.
Two weeks after she’d taken that picture, she walked into school and everyone started whispering when she walked by. No one would tell her what was going on. Even her best friend, Laney, was ignoring her. Martina finally cornered Laney after gym class. “What is going on?”
“Really? You don’t remember?”
“No, what?”
“Sending a naked picture of yourself to Ron. That’s disgusting.”
Martina’s heart sank. “I wasn’t naked. I just had my shirt off.”
“Oh, just your shirt.” Laney rolled her eyes.
“How did everybody find out?”
“He told my brother. And someone spotted it on that website, Girls Get It On.”
Martina sank onto a bench in the locker room. Tears filled her eyes. “Why would he do that?” she’d whispered. “He said it was just for him.”
“Why did you send it at all? That is totally trampy,” Laney said. “I don’t think we should hang out anymore.” And she left the locker room.
Martina went to the nurse and called her mom to pick her up, saying she was sick. She certainly felt like she was going to throw up. But she didn’t tell her mom about the picture. She would’ve been devastated. Martina e-mailed the website, asking them to take the picture down, but they ignored her e-mails. In retrospect, she should’ve gotten a lawyer, but that would’ve meant telling her parents. The second half of her senior year was pure hell.
The picture was still on the site after all these years, but you really had to search to find it now that she’d been replaced by other clueless, gullible girls. But there she was at her class reunion with Brett standing in front of her, displaying one of the worst decisions of her life on his phone.
“Didn’t you know about this?” Brett asked, laughing as he held out the phone to Jackson.
“Let me see that,” Jackson said.
Martina’s hand flew to her throat. Jackson would definitely change his mind about her now. It was one thing to tell him about it. It was another thing to see it. But Jackson didn’t even look at the phone. He slammed it against the wall and handed it back to the Brett. “Bad reception. Couldn’t see a thing.”
Brett just stared at Jackson with his mouth hanging open. Jackson put his arm around Martina and guided her out the door. He handed his valet ticket to the driver waiting at the door. “We’ll be waiting down at the corner. Please bring my car there.” He quickly escorted her down the street, and the way his fingers curled around her arm kept her from falling apart.
When they stopped at the corner, she pressed her hand against her mouth, but a sob slipped out anyway. A tear slipped down her cheek, and Jackson swiped a finger across her skin, wiping it away. “I’m sorry they did that to you.”
“And I’m sorry you had to see that. I’m so embarrassed.” She looked up at the sky. “Why did I come tonight? What did I think was going to happen? I show up in a suit and glasses and everyone’s going to suddenly change their opinion about me?”
“I don’t know about everybody, but I did.”
She looked at him, confused.
“You are braver than I could’ve imagined.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “That wasn’t easy what you did. And they definitely have a different view of you now—proud, sensitive, strong.” He put his hands on his hips and sighed. “At work, I always thought you were uptight and too career focused. But you’ve just been protecting yourself.”
“You’re right. But I’m just realizing that I haven’t been happy living like this. This isn’t the real me, either.”
He lowered his voice. “And I know it’s not what you were going for, but that was sexy as hell.”
She couldn’t help but laugh.
He slid his arms around her waist. “I came here with you as a friend tonight. But now I’m hoping it can be more.”
Her heart felt like it was floating in her chest. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt like this. “You sure? I think I might have a scarlet letter tattooed on my forehead.”
He grinned. “Funny you should mention that. There’s something I want to show you. Something about me. That is, if you’d like more than friendship, too.”
She ran her fingers along the stubble starting to sprout along his jawline. “I do. It’s probably not the smartest thing since we work together, but I’m ready to stop caring what people think.”
“You know what? Me too.”
***
Jackson flipped on the lights to his friend’s tattoo studio.
“What is this place?” Martina asked.
“This is my dream. It’s my friend’s place. But I want to open a string of tattoo studios. It’s something I do part time. It’s something I keep a secret. But not anymore. I need to start working toward my dream.”
“You’re a tattoo artist?” Martina asked.
He rolled up his shirt and showed her the koi fish on his forearm. “I designed this one. Couldn’t ink it myself, but I like the artistry of it.”
Martina ran her fingers over the image. It was real easy for him to imagine those fingers wandering to other places. “Do you have more?” she asked.
“I’d have to take off my shirt to show you.” He didn’t want to take the liberty of stripping down if it was going to make her feel uncomfortable.
Martina smirked. “What’s your worry? I don’t see any cameras around.”
He laughed. “All right, then.” He stepped back and unbuttoned his shirt, keeping his eyes on hers. He’d never imagined the night would turn out like this: wanting more from Martina, sharing his secret with her. He let his shirt fall to the floor.
“How many are there?” she asked, walking closer to him.
“Six, counting the one on my back.” He turned around so she could see the dragon emblazoned across his shoulder blades. “I’ve also got tattoos on each ankle.”
Martina traced the snake that curled around his bicep. “It looks so real. Do they each have a special meaning?”
“Not really. Each one just sort of spoke to me at the time and I wanted to add it to the collection, I guess you could say.”
She walked around him, inspecting each one, tracing her fingers tips along the outlines of the designs.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“I think it’s incredible. I can’t believe you’ve been keeping up this conservative alter ego at work.”
“Neither can I.”
Then she laughed. “I’m one to talk.”
He slid his hand up her arm until it rested on her shoulder. “I’m glad I found out the truth. I’m excited about getting to know the real you.”
“Me, too.”
He looked her over. “So, what about you? Do you have any hidden tattoos?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“I could give you one. Right now, if you’d like,” he offered. He’d never inked a woman he’d been interested in before.
She took her time running her hands up his chest, around his neck. “I think I’d like to someday. But I’m still figuring out who I really am.”
He kissed her forehead and brought his lips to hers. “And I’m anxious to find out about you, too. But I won’t be able to see you at work anymore.”
“Why not?”
He picked up his shirt and slipped back into it. “I’m going to quit soon and start doing what I really want. It’ll be risky, but you’ve taught me some important things tonight.”
She couldn’t hold back her grin. “I wasted so much time. Pretending I was a flirt and then doing a complete one-eighty. It’s like my life has been frozen for a long time.”
“I’m ready to help you heat things up,” he offered. Then he smirked.
“Do you want to see the picture on the website? Get that out from between us?”
“It’s not between us. It’s in your past. And I can be patient. I want to discover all of you myself. In person, not in a stupid picture.”
She shivered in his arms. “Keep talking like that and you won’t have to wait long.” She slapped her hand over her mouth, then spread her fingers apart. “See, that’s something the old Marti would’ve said.”
He kissed her again. “Old Marti, new Martina. It’s going to be fun getting to know you.” He backed her up against a wall to continue that kiss.
***
It was three in the morning and Martina was doing her best to sneak into the apartment.
The light in the living room flicked on. “And where have you been, young lady?” Keri tapped her wrist like a watch was there. “Based on the time, I’m guessing it either went really well or really bad.”
Martina flopped onto the couch next to her. “It was both, actually. The reunion was horrible. People were exactly like I thought they’d be. But my date wasn’t what I expected at all.”
Keri rubbed her hands together. “Oooh, and that’s the good part I want to hear about. What happened?”
“Not what you think. But I like him. A lot. And he helped me realize something. I haven’t just stopped flirting with men. I stopped flirting with life. I tried so hard to stop being the class flirt that I wasn’t sure who to be next. And I haven’t been myself, that’s for sure.”
“Well done. So what happened with everyone from school?” Keri asked.
“Nightmare. They all avoided me and gossiped about me in the bathroom. Then they dragged the class favorites up in front of everyone and I snapped.”
“Snapped? This sounds promising,” Keri said.
“Don’t get too excited. I just told everyone I wasn’t who they thought and that the damn picture was a mistake—and that so was coming to the reunion.”
“Damn, I hope someone got your tirade on video. Was anyone taping?”
Martina smiled. “I don’t know, but Jackson smashed someone’s phone when they tried to show him the picture.”
“I knew I liked him. You’ve got a work romance brewing, girlfriend!”
“Oh, that reminds me.” Martina flipped open her laptop.
Keri groaned. “Oh good lord, are you checking your e-mail? I thought you were going to be the new and improved Martina.”
“I’m still going to be responsible about work. I was waiting to hear from a client. I’m going to let them know I’m not available until Monday. I need some more balance in my life.” Martina opened her e-mail account. She squinted at the screen. “What the hell?” There were several e-mail messages from Jefferson alumni. A few from former friends. Like Laney.
“Very cool what you did tonight,” she wrote. “I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time how sorry I was. Really. I wanted to talk to you tonight, but didn’t know what to say. Please come tomorrow night? A lot of people want to see you. Seriously. Laney.”
Martina laughed. “People are asking me to go to the reunion tomorrow.”
“They’re probably wondering if you’ll start a fight this time.” Keri’s eyes widened. “Would you? Would you punch some of those bitches who were mean to you? You should totally go.”
“You know what? I will.”
Keri pumped her fist in the air. “Get the girl fight on tape, please?”
“I’m not going to fight. I think there are other people who want to clear up a few things from the past. Plus, Jackson said he’d take me again if I wanted to go.”
“Get it on, girl!” Keri said.
“You have to promise never say that to me again,” Martina said, trying to sound mad.
Keri got up and walked toward her bedroom. “Wake me up when you get a sense of humor.”
“I will.” But for now, finding her self-respect was a good start. And finding Jackson was even better. She fiddled for her phone and sent him a text: “I thought it was going to be one of the worst nights of my life. Turned out to be one of the best.”
She was sitting there, holding the phone, remembering how good it felt to be in his arms, when her phone buzzed.
“Good,” he wrote back. “And it’s only going to get better from here.”
She kicked off her shoes and started thinking about what tattoo she might let Jackson put on her someday. Whatever it was, it was going right over her heart.