Best Foot Forward (The Best Girls 3)

“I’m going to pay her back for the ticket,” said Brad. “So it’s not a date.”

Ben pulled his arms down, folding them across his chest, probably sensing Brad wanted to use him for a punching bag. “Still, I think it’s only fair I should get a shot at Grace, so—”

Brad lunged up from the couch before he lost all control. He stood glaring at his brother with clenched fists. “If you make a move on Grace, I’ll rip your other shoulder out of its socket.” Ben’s only response was a slow smile. Brad stomped into his room and slammed his door. For the first time, he understood why Cain killed Able.

*****

Horatio loved Ms. Marshall’s new hair—she looked just like his favorite singer. “Ms. Marshall, I got you something, just like I promised.” He stood as close as he could get, pushing Jeffrey out of the way.

“Oh Horatio, I told you not to spend your money on me. I’m not allowed to accept gifts from my students.”

“But you took the cookies my mom sent.”

“Yes, but that was a gift from your mother,” she explained.

He had to get her to take his present—then they would be engaged. “It’s from my mom, but I picked it out.”

“Are you sure you didn’t spend your tooth money on this present?”

“No ma’am. My mom bought it for you.”

She opened the little box and her mouth formed an ‘O’ at the beautiful diamond ring. “Your mom bought this for me?” she asked, narrowing her eyes. “It seems like an unusual gift from a mother.”

Grace picked up the ring and examined it. The lightweight plastic ring with the gold-colored split band looked amazingly real at first glance. She peeked at Horatio’s anxious face as he watched her reaction. She knew this present hadn’t come from his mother, but she couldn’t very well accuse him of lying.

“Tell your mother I said, ‘Thank you very much.’ It’s a beautiful ring. I can’t wear it at school because it might make the other children feel jealous, but I’ll wear it home. Okay?”

“Okay!” he said, grinning from ear to ear.

This was not the first time one of her students had been infatuated with her, but it was the first time it had happened this early in the school year. She would have to be gentle in her discouragement so as not to hurt his feelings.

“Now, would you like to make me really happy?”

“Yes ma’am!”

“Let me see how still and quiet you can sit for reading time, because that’s my favorite time.”

“Yes ma’am. I can be really still, like not moving at all. And I won’t make any noise at all. I’ll even hold my breath.”

“No, don’t hold your breath; you might pass out.”

“Really?” Horatio’s exultant expression demonstrated his delight at this possibility.

“No, you won’t actually pass out from holding your breath, but you don’t need to be that quiet. Now go sit down so we can get started with reading time.”

She leaned over to reach for her book, and a lock of fried orange hair fell across her face. She chuckled as she tucked the stiff strand behind her ear. At least she had one admirer who wasn’t turned off by her new clown coif. She had high hopes her hair stylist would work a miracle at her emergency appointment after work.

*****

“Well... Say something... What do you suggest? I’ll pay whatever it takes to fix it. Really, money is no object,” Grace rambled on to the girl who’d stood staring at her hair with wide unblinking eyes since she removed her scarf.

“Uhmm... Let me ask the other colorists.” Soon there were six stylists, including the owner, gawking in abject horror.

The owner said, “We could maybe shave your head. The shop has some nice wigs.”

“Shave it?” squeaked Grace. “Isn’t there anything else you can do? Can’t we just color it brown again?”

“What do you think, Carlos? You’re the expert.”