Free Daughters of Eve by Lois Duncan

too wrapped up in being a 'Daughter of Eve' to remember that?"
     
    "I didn't think it mattered all that much," Bambi said. "My gosh, Pete, a drive-in's a drive-in. We can go tonight instead, can't we? What's the difference?"
     
    "The difference is that I don't want to go tonight," Peter said. "I've got other things I want to do tonight."
     
    "Like what?"
     
    "Like—oh, I don't know. Like going bowling with the guys, maybe."
     
    "You thought that up this very minute."
     
    "So what if I did? Is it any different for me to want to go bowling than for you to want to go to a slumber party?"
     
    "You're being ridiculous," Bambi said. "The party's already scheduled, and the bowling can be anytime. What's with you anyway, Peter? You're really pushing me."
     
    "Look who's talking!" Peter exclaimed angrily. "It's you who's doing the pushing, Bam, and I'm not going to take it. You're supposed to be my girl, right? We're going steady, right? What do you think that means? That I sit around on Saturday night and twiddle my thumbs while you're out chattering and giggling with a bunch of girl friends?"
     
    "I thought it meant we cared about each other," Bambi said. "I thought we were supposed to 'relate' to each other, not own each other outright. I do my best to make you happy, Pete—"
     
    "Like shit, you do!" Peter exploded. "You put out just about as much effort as an ice cube. It's a laugh. All the guys at school would give their eyeteeth to change places with me. There's lucky Pete, going steady with the hottest-looking chick in town. Boy, he must really be getting some, huh? What a farce!"
     
    "I didn't mean 'make you happy' that way," Bambi said coldly. "I told you from the beginning that I wasn't going to have any part of that. I've got a modeling career ahead of me, and I'm not going to take any chances on botching it up."
     
    "No girl gets pregnant anymore unless she wants to," Peter said. "There are all kinds of ways to prevent it."
     
    "And I've picked the best of them. Absolutely foolproof." Her voice shook slightly. "If that's what you're after, then you've wasted six good months of your precious time, because you're not getting it. There are girls in the world who have to pay for their dates that way, but I'm not one of them. If you don't want to go with me on those terms, then say so."
     
    There was a moment of silence. When Peter spoke again his voice was tight and controlled. "Are you going out with me Saturday night?"
     
    "I told you, no. I'm going to Holly's party. We can go out tonight instead."
     
    "No way."
     
    "Then maybe you'd better let me out of the car," Bambi said. "I don't think there's anything else we need to talk about. Besides, you'll need the rest of the afternoon to go bird-dogging. God forbid you should have to 'twiddle your thumbs' on a Saturday night."
     
    "That's cool." Peter gave the wheel a twist and brought the car over to the side of the road where the tires grated against the curbing for a ten-foot stretch before the vehicle came to a stop. He turned to glare at the girl beside him. His handsome face was dark with fury.
     
    "I suppose you expect me to come around and open the door for you, Your Majesty?"
     
    "I think I'm capable of managing that." Bambi reached over to gather up her books. "Have a wonderful time at the drive-in."
     
    "I plan to."
     
    "Be sure to keep the car heater on so you won't freeze."
     
    As usual, she had managed to get in the final word, slamming the door upon any further retort. In outraged frustration, Peter sat gripping the steering wheel as he watched her walk away with her long, model's stride, her legs flashing straight and slim beneath the provocative flare of her short skirt. After several paces she gave her head a toss, flipping the long, blond hair across her shoulders in a gesture that sent Peter jerking backward as though the shining strands had struck him in the face.
     
    "Bitch," he whispered under his breath. "Keep the car heater on,