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problem, she was sure she’d be riding up front next to him, which would give her a chance to see what he was really about. There had to be more to him than just looks.
    Alissa nodded, then swallowed hard enough for Jacobi to see a lump rise in her throat. “I’m good,” she said with obviously false perkiness. “He just gets on my nerves.”
    Jacobi shrugged. She hadn’t known Alissa long enough to know how to read her, and she didn’t want to get involved in whatever drama Alissa and Malone had. All she was interested in was Malone, getting to the motorcycle show to see if Katydid was there, and hooking up with Shooby afterward. Well, those things, of course, and solving her physical problems. Namely, her bad skin and underdevelopment. “Okay.”
    They’d turned the corner, crossed a couple of lawns, and were headed to a garage before Jacobi knew it. From what she could tell from his spat with his sister, Malone had his own car. She had never seen his ride before and really hadn’t even known he had one.
    â€œThis is it,” Malone said, cutting across the lawn of a large white stucco house. He took a remote and a set of keys out of his pocket. He pressed a button when he turned, then walked to the side of the house and up the drive.
    â€œWow, that’s tight,” Jacobi said, following him and admiring the car that had to have cost three arms and four legs. She was no vehicle enthusiast, but knew from television that this was a car that pro ballplayers and other rich people drove; and a couple of doughboys from the projects had one. “This is yours ?”
    Malone turned and smiled, walking to the luxury car parked in the oversized garage. He nodded. “Yep. Bought and paid for by yours truly. I keep it over here at my grandpop’s house because he has room in his garage.”
    Jacobi turned to the hesitant and lagging-behind Alissa. Jacobi’s expression asked her if he was serious.
    Alissa nodded, gave her a where’ve-you-been look, then threw up her hands in exasperation. “Did you look at the business card he gave you?” she whispered, incredulous.
    Trying to be as inconspicuous as she could, Jacobi pretended to search for something in her purse as she looked at his card. Wow . Malone’s card was no ordinary business card. It was more of a mini-résumé. He was an actor and model who’d been on a couple of sitcoms and in various major magazines. Wow again . She stomped the concrete in anticipation. If only he’d let her film him, it could be the start of her film career.
    â€œYou okay?” Malone asked, stopping by the trunk.
    Jacobi smiled, still stomping. “Yeah,” she lied. “Just a few red ants, but I’m cool.”
    He walked over to her, took her by the arm, and led her to the passenger side of his car. Surprising Jacobi, he opened the door for her and helped her into the car. “They can’t get you while you’re inside. Strap in. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.” He winked, closed the door, then went around to the driver’s side and settled inside behind the wheel. He started the car and revved the engine. “And I hope you don’t have a boyfriend ...”
    Oh God . Did he just say what I heard him say? Jacobi wondered, then turned toward the backseat where Alissa was sliding in, and shot her a questioning look.
    Alissa shook her head in the negative, mouthing, “Say no. Say no.”
    â€œNo!” Jacobi said a little too loudly. “Not really,” she continued in a more appropriate voice, making Malone, who was still talking, pause and smile. Her answer also made her think. No, she really didn’t have a true love interest who was also interested in her, and the thought didn’t make her feel too good. It made her determined to go out there and get Shooby. She needed to turn the negative into a positive. And if Katydid was able to