Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 155405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 777(@200wpm)___ 622(@250wpm)___ 518(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 777(@200wpm)___ 622(@250wpm)___ 518(@300wpm)
I’m reluctant to admit Anae had a good idea, but… “That could probably work. Why don’t we meet at your house instead of mine, though?”
Anae shakes her head. “You live right on the beach. I’m considering a beach shot. I haven’t decided yet, I’ll have to see your place, but it’s a good option. Plus,” she adds, looking me over and appearing unimpressed, “you’ll have to change into something more fashionable if you’re going to show up on my feed, so proximity to your closet is important.”
It’s not worth arguing about, so I say, “All right, fine.”
“Great,” she chirps, clasping her hands together. “Hannah and I will head to our house after school to grab—wait, I assume you have a pool?”
I nod. “We do.”
“Perfect. So we’ll grab swimsuits in case we want to go for a swim or get a little sun while we work, and then Hannah can drive me to your place.”
Every cell in my body tells me it’s a bad idea, but I can’t think of a good reason to tell her no. I can’t stop her from joining the club, and if I put up too much resistance over her coming to my house, she may wonder why.
___
I’ve never hoped Landon was out wasting Brittany’s time before, but as I drive toward our house with my mind on preparing for Anae to come over, I am definitely hoping not to see his car in the driveway.
I breathe a sigh of relief when I pull in, but the feeling is short-lived. I still have to host Anae Richards at my house, and that was not on my senior year bingo card.
I’m not sure if she was serious about me changing clothes to hang out with her, but just in case, I head upstairs to my bedroom to unload my school bag and change my outfit. She did mention perhaps swimming. If Landon doesn’t get home soon, I might not be opposed to the idea, so I put a one-piece swimsuit on underneath a pale blue dress that will be easy enough to peel off. I tug on a white sweater over it for added coverage, then I grab my purse and head back downstairs.
I should probably have something to offer them to drink, so I check the fridge. On impulse, I make a pitcher of lemonade.
Before long, I hear a car pull in. I’m slightly anxious and unsure what to do with myself, so I stand awkwardly in the foyer waiting for them to come to the door.
Anae walks in first. She plucks the stylish sunglasses off her face and walks right past me toward the living room, leaving a faint scent of perfume in her wake.
Hannah trails behind her carrying a tote bag and her purse. I close the door behind them. When I turn back around, Hannah does a little spin, strikes a pose, then puts her legs out and flexes her ankle to draw my attention to her feet, apparently.
She’s not wearing the shoes she wore to school. Instead, she’s wearing a pair of heeled white sandals with glittery silver buckles.
“Pretty,” I say with a polite smile.
Her eyes widen. “I’ll say. You’re officially not allowed to get me a birthday present now. These were so expensive, Parker. You’re crazy, but they’re so pretty. Even prettier than they were in the store. Thank you so much.”
I’m… confused.
Before I can say as much, Hannah looks down to admire the pretty, obviously already loved shoe and asks off-handedly, “I guess your mom gave you that spending money credit card, huh?”
“Um… no. I mean, Hayden said he’s ordering one, but it will probably take a few days to come in the mail.”
Since I’m frowning when Hannah looks up at me, she loses her smile. “You didn’t buy them?” she says slowly.
My eyebrows rise in surprise. “What? No. You know I’m not a heel girl, I wouldn’t know how to pick them out for someone else.”
Hannah stares at me blankly. “Then who are they from?”
I shrug helplessly. “I have literally no idea. Why did you think they were from me?”
She swallows, looking down at the shoes with a more cautious awareness. “I don’t know,” she says softly. “They were delivered to my house, but the note didn’t say… I thought… because of the sugar daddy jokes yesterday, and I was only joking, but I told you about these shoes—”
Speaking of shoes, Anae’s heels click as she makes her way back down the hall to retrieve us, apparently having acquainted herself with this level of the house. “Next time you buy her a present, make it a purse,” Anae says. “Her feet are freakishly small, so I can’t borrow her shoes.” Looking from Hannah to me, she says, “Are we going to work, or—” Then she grimaces, looking at my clothes. “Jesus Christ, Parker, who told you that you could pull off white?”