SVH11-Too Good To Be True Read Online Free PDF Page B

for something to wear, she was ready to cry. Nothing seemed right. Everything was too casual or unsophisticated by New York standards. Her best dress--a white dotted Swiss with a ruffled neckline--looked like something a choir girl would wear. She tossed it on the bed in disgust.
    Then she remembered Suzanne's closet. Maybe there was something that would fit her. Minutes later she had the answer--in the form of a close-fitting black crepe cocktail dress with a plunging back. When she had tried it on and inspected the results in the mirror, she could hardly believe the transformation. My gosh, I look at least nineteen! She imagined Pete's reaction when he saw her, and a chill of excitement chased up her spine.
    The way it turned out, though, wasn't anything like what she'd imagined.
    For one thing, Pete was late--nearly half an hour. Jessica was on the verge of tears by the time he showed up. The only thing that kept her from crying was the prospect of ruining her
    makeup. She waited for him to offer some kind of apology, but it never came.
    "Are you ready?" Pete asked, taking in her polished appearance with one quick glance.
    Ready! Jessica could hardly believe her ears. Wasn't he going to tell her how absolutely stunning she looked?
    She was fuming, but she took care not to let Pete know. In spite of his rudeness, he was still the most exciting guy she'd ever met. Swallowing her anger, she reached out and touched his arm. "It was so sweet of you to invite me out," she cooed, fluttering her eyelashes at him. "I just don't know what I would have done if I had to sit home all by myself tonight."
    "Oh, I'm sure you would've come up with something," he drawled, his green eyes twinkling with suppressed amusement as he looked down at her. "You don't seem like the type of girl who ever stays lonesome for long."
    Jessica giggled. "Not if I can help it."
    It wasn't until he was helping her on with her coat that he finally made a comment about her appearance--only it wasn't at all what she expected.
    "Isn't that Suzy's dress?" he asked.
    "Uh ... she told me I was welcome to borrow anything that was in her closet," Jessica quickly invented. "Wasn't that nice of her?"
    Pete nodded. "Mmm. I thought I recognized it."
    Not one word about how sensational she looked in it! How could anyone be so blind? Either that or he was purposely torturing her.
    He took her to Windows on the World for dinner. It was the fanciest restaurant she'd ever eaten in--as well as the most breathtaking. It was located at the top of the World Trade Center, the tallest building in New York. Gazing out the floor-to-ceiling windows, Jessica grew dizzy with delight. Below, the glittering panorama of the city seemed to stretch on endlessly. She could even see the Statue of Liberty! Except that from this height, it looked the size of a Barbie doll.
    Pete ordered wine with dinner, and Jessica was pleased to note the waiter didn't bat an eyelash when it came to filling her glass. At least one person thought she looked grown-up and sophisticated! Pete was friendly enough-- they never seemed to run out of things to chat about--but he continued to keep her at arm's length. It was as if he hadn't even noticed she was a member of the opposite sex!
    Pete was hard to figure out. He wasn't a bit like the boys she dated back in Sweet Valley, who were usually like lumps of wet clay in her hands. Flirting seemed to be having no effect
    on him whatsoever. For Jessica, that was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. She became more determined than ever to get him.
    It wasn't going to be easy, though. At the concert she fought to keep from yawning. Classical music was more Elizabeth's style. Personally, Jessica preferred something with a snappy beat, something she could get up and dance to. If only Pete would hold her hand or put his arm around her. He might as well be on a date with his sister the way he was acting! Was it because he was so loyal to Suzanne? Maybe. Even so, she had