Read Online Playing With Fire by Francine Pascal - Free Book Online

the packages.
    Elizabeth didn’t have to ask “before what?” “Let me see what you got,” she said resignedly.
    Triumphantly Jessica pulled a brown wool blazer and matching skirt out of one bag and two oxford shirts from another. The look was tasteful, classic, and rich—yet very unlike Jessica. “Aren’t these the most elegant clothes you’ve ever seen?”
    Elizabeth looked at her sister in total bewilderment. “Weren’t you the one who always said that people who dress preppy have no originality?”
    â€œThat was silly of me, wasn’t it?” Jessica threw the blazer over her shoulders and smiled. “Bruce thinks this is a smart look, especially for a girl with long legs like mine. He’s taking me to the country club for dinner.” She put the jacket on her bed and held the two shirts against it. “Which do you think looks better? The beige or the pink?”
    Elizabeth longed to ask her sister why she was letting Bruce run her life, but she had the distinct feeling that Jessica wouldn’t understand what she was talking about, anyway. Without further comment on her sister’s changed wardrobe, Elizabeth chose the pink blouse. “Speaking of clothes,” she added, “I was wondering if I could borrow your black and white miniskirt tonight.”
    â€œYou can keep it forever,” Jessica said airily. “I’ll never need it. Bruce can’t stand New Wave clothes. He says they look cheap. But don’t get me wrong, that skirt would look cute on you with a black body suit.”
    â€œYeah, thanks,” Elizabeth responded dryly. She could only guess at what other changes Bruce would force on her sister. Knowing she was on the brink of saying something about Bruce, she decided to excuse herself from Jessica’s room quickly. “Todd’s picking me up soon, so I’d better get dressed. Have a good time tonight.”
    â€œDon’t worry.” Jessica winked suggestively as her sister stood in the doorway. “Bruce and I always do.”
    *   *   *
    The light fog rolling in from the Pacific made the visibility on the coast road poor, and Todd almost drove past the Seaside Express, the club where The Droids were playing. “Whoa, Todd,” Winston shouted from the backseat of Todd’s Datsun. “There’s the place.”
    â€œThis is it?” Todd exclaimed as he pulled into the dirt-covered drive. Before them stood a low, wood-shingled building that had definitely seen better days. No more than a dozen cars were parked in the lot.
    â€œThere’s the sign: Sand Pines,” Winston noted.
    â€œYour eyes must be better than mine,” Todd said, shaking his head in disbelief. “I don’t know how you even saw it. It looks like no one’s been near it for decades.”
    He turned to Elizabeth. “You sure The Droids are playing here? The place looks deserted.”
    â€œSure, see the sign in the window? This is it. Maybe the fog’s keeping people away.”
    â€œMaybe not. It’s still early, isn’t it?” Winston’s voice had an almost desperate sound to it. If no one else showed up, he knew he’d have to spend the rest of the evening with Robin.
    â€œIt’s not that early,” Todd said flatly. “I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind just staying for a few numbers, then heading back to Sweet Valley. I don’t like the looks of this place.”
    â€œWe can’t leave that quickly, Todd,” Elizabeth stated firmly. “I’ve got to see their act. Besides, we’re here already—and it doesn’t look all that bad to me!”
    â€œI don’t want to leave,” said Robin, looking hopefully at Winston.
    Todd shrugged. “I suppose we’ll survive.” He reached over and opened the door on Elizabeth’s side. “Shall we?”
    On the way up the graveled