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“Oh, you poor, little rich boy,” she patronized, and I allowed it because, again, she wasn’t wrong I didn’t know the struggle most people did, and my problems were self-inflicted Her voice was matter-of-fact “Most people see it the other way around, you know Sex is what cos”

Irritation flashed through ht you felt the same way I did”

“That sex is less?”

It had been for us As enjoyable as it was, it hadn’t brought us closer elad It made the break-up easier on both of us “Yeah It doesn’t have to be a big deal”

“You’re so full of shit, Vance” She laughed “Sex is a huge deal for you”

“No, it’s not” I looked at sex the sa It was a basic need to be fulfilled and nothing more

“Right Then, you’d have no proble without it” Excitement filled her voice “Oh, my God, I bet you wouldn’t even last a week”

My irritation grew to full-out annoyance “What are you talking about? Of course I would”

Her laugh announced she didn’t believe me “Sure”

It caht “You want to put money on it?”

She paused, and I pictured a surprised grin on her lips “I have money What would I do with more of yours?”

“Notthe idea

Well, that wasn’t true I was a Hale, and I’d been conditioned to not only accept every challenge thrown my way, but to succeed at it

It in at all costs

“Okay,” she sounded as if she wereme, “let’s say I’m interested What would you want to play for?”

I wracked my brain for e each had that was of value to the other If I wereor a political ‘in’ with her family But the ambitions for me to enter politics weren’t ht of an eventual presidential run made my stomach turn

The idea took shape, and a smile widened on my lips “I want the boat you’ll use for the Cape Hill Cup”