25

Elise

THEY were so into their argument that they hadn’t even noticed our movement down here, or noticed they were not alone anymore.

“Didn’t you hear what I’ve been saying? She’s naïve—innocent provincial and all that which is a novelty these days. Nothing like that has happened between us,” Brandon was saying.

Lisette laughed so loudly.

In my head, I was shrieking at her. It was damn insulting!

“She’s a virgin?! You got yourself a virgin girlfriend?”

I saw Brandon snort. “So what? She was worth more gold than anyone of you. I’ve never met a woman ever that I admire the way I do her.”

Lisette stared at Brandon like he just formed another nose on his face.

Then she looked like she finally believed him.

“Oh my God… what is it with you and virgins?”

Brandon straightened up. He looked away from Lisette, too. “I don’t get what you mean.”

“I lost mine to you when I was fourteen, you hypocrite.”

And there I was, with my heart melting after I heard him say he admired me.

And now, this.

Okay. E