“That’s so awesome, girl,” Sierra said sincerely. “I’m a little jealous that you haven’t invited me yet.”
“You hate flying,” I said.
“There are drugs I can take,” Sierra said.
“Next time,” I said, turning around to watch Gina. I tucked my hands behind me, pressing them against the counter. If I had to go away without Noah or Gina, I would miss them terribly. Now I didn’t need to know that feeling.
Gina moved to another set of records. Her little face scrunched with concentration. I watched her while Sierra took a customer.
Gina peered over the top of one of the stacks.
What was she looking for?
As if she heard my thoughts, she marched over to us and went behind the counter. She tugged on Sierra’s arm and opened her arms. Sierra hefted Gina onto her hip.
“Where’s that song?” she asked.
“Girl, you’re going to have to be more specific,” Sierra said.
“The song,” Gina said, turning to me. “The down under one.”
Sierra’s eyes bulged.
“Men at Work is the group,” I said. After Noah had told Gina about the trip, she spent the entire day yesterday asking me how to be more Australian. I introduced her to the group. “We listened to it all day on YouTube.”
Sierra grimaced. “I’m glad I wasn’t there. Sorry, sweetie. That’s not my type of music.”
“I don’t think they have that here,” I said and glanced at Sierra. She slowly shook her head with an expression of disgust.
I lightly slapped her arm. “They aren’t that bad.”
“Did Jess tell you I’m going to Australia?” Gina asked Sierra.
“I heard. I’m super jealous.”
“I’m super excited!” Gina said, pumping her fists in the air. “Jess, can you find the song?”
I proceeded to bring the song up on my phone and play it for her. Gina wiggled out of Sierra’s arms and came around the counter to dance with me to the catchy music.
“I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” Sierra said, trying to hold back a smile.
“Come on!” I said, reaching out to her.
“You can’t even dance to this music,” Sierra said. Her facade was cracking.
“Please!” Gina said, and I knew we had her.
“All right,” she said and joined us.
When Noah arrived home that night, he surprised me with three tickets to Sydney.
“Noah,” I said completely taken off guard. “I could have purchased my own ticket. I invited you, remember?”
“It’s fine,” he said, kissing my cheek. Gina was in the living room watching a cartoon, so we didn’t have to worry about hiding anything. “I have the money, and I wanted us to sit together.”
“Thank you,” I said graciously.
“But you have to promise to take us to the real Australia. Of course, we should see some touristy things, but I want to know where you grew up. What places shaped the woman you are today.”