13 Seduction, 101

The next day, Odette’s mood had improved, and she was ready to face her life with a smile on her lips. Following Beth’s advice, she didn’t go to see Carl on the football field. She went to the book club and spent the time remembering her fairytale night instead of talking about the book they had read.

The goofy smile on her face left her friends puzzled. Nevertheless, Beth had plans for them that night. Her bestie was adamant about taking Odette to eat at a local burger joint that was popular among the students of that part of the campus. She enjoyed the company of her book club friends. Therefore, she didn’t protest and tagged along when Abby said she would join them.

Beth slipped into the booth and sat in front of Odette and Abby.

Odette fluttered her eyelashes at her and made a cute face. “Was that Brian on the phone?”

Beth grinned and stuffed a few French fries in her mouth. After swallowing, she indulged in a reply. “It was Keith.”

“Why were you calling your brother?”

“I was asking where his teammates were going to eat after practice.”

Odette frowned. “What are you planning? Why do I feel that us coming here wasn’t a random event?” She looked at Abby. “Did you know about this?”

The red-haired shook her head. “I’m innocent. I came because I’m tired of eating pizza.”

Odette puckered her lips and narrowed her eyes. Beth grabbed her phone and started texting. “You’re in a happy mood today, Odette.” Texting and talking were one of Beth’s abilities.

Odette shrugged.

“Beth is right. You seemed absent while we were talking about the book and our favorite parts,” Abby agreed.

“I was thinking about someone.”

“Carl?” Beth probed. “Did you cave and send him a text message? Did he, by any chance, reply with monosyllables, and that’s why you’re so happy?”

“Not Carl.”

Beth dropped the phone with a surprised expression. “Sorry, did I hear you right? Were you thinking about someone other than Carl? Maybe a male someone?”

Odette took a bite of her hamburger and shrugged.

“I’m using all of my gifts to be your personal cupid, and you’re telling me that you are interested in someone else?” Beth asked with a frown.

“No.” After swallowing, she added, “It was a character in a movie I saw yesterday. An elf prince.”

Beth shared a look with Abby. “She’s in love with another fictional character. How surprising.”

Abby chuckled at the sarcasm.

Odette sighed. “That’s why I don’t tell you my other secrets. You’ll mock me and not believe me.”

Beth rested her elbows on the table and cupped her face. “You have secrets? Tell me more.”

Odette felt her cheeks burn. If she told her friends what was happening, they would think she was insane. “Just eat your food and text some more. It’s impolite to speak and eat at the same time.”

Moments later, Keith showed up and slipped into the booth next to his sister. “Do you have any idea what it took to convince them to come here?”

Odette peeked behind Keith and saw a group of his teammates entering the burger restaurant. Among them was Carl.

“You need the carbs,” Beth said to her brother. “Plus, I said I’d pay for your menu.”

“Hi, Keith,” Odette greeted when he looked at her and Abby. Abby waved with a smile.

“Hey,” Keith voiced with all the enthusiasm of a tire almost out of air.

Beth elbowed him. “Go join your friends and find a way to ask us to join you in a bit.”

Keith grumbled and showed her his hand. “Money first.”

Beth turned to her friend. “Odette, pay him.”

Odette almost choked on her food. “What?”

Beth explained, “I promised I’d paid for his food. I’m out of money after buying mine.”

Sighing, Odette reached for her purse and took out a twenty-dollar bill. She gave it to Keith, who smiled and disappeared behind their booth.

The noise of guys cheering Keith’s arrival at the table echoed throughout the restaurant. Odette had her back to them so that she couldn’t see Carl. She had no idea if he had seen her, but when they passed by, he didn’t look at her. Maybe he was upset because she didn’t go to see him.

“Should I go to their table and say hi to Carl?” Odette asked Beth.

“Why would you do that?”

“Because we know each other.”

Beth crumpled a napkin in her hand and threw it at Odette's head. “You have a lot to learn. He passed by our table and didn’t say anything. Why would you make a fool of yourself by running after him like a puppy?”

Odette smoothed down her hair and pulled at her collar.

Beth’s eyes roamed up and down Odette’s cardigan. “You should probably go to the bathroom, lose the granny coat, open three buttons of your shirt, and tuck it into your skirt.” She peeked under the table. “I can’t do anything about those ugly shoes, but showing a bit of skin might work to grab the Neanderthal’s attention.”

Odette looked at Abby. “Do you see how she treats me?”

Abby nodded. “I can go with you to the bathroom and help you. I have makeup in my bag. A bit of lipstick can’t hurt.”

“If you have a brush, try giving some volume to her hair,” Beth told Abby.