Ally pressed pause on her game and put the controller down on the arm of the sofa. “What’s up?”
“I have nothing to wear. Nothing.” She gave a dramatic sigh. “What do you wear to the movies in California anyway?”
“Pretty much the same as you wore in Washington, but with less layers I’m guessing.” Ally smiled. Since Nate had spoken with Riley and agreed she could go out with her friends, she’d been like a different child. Her happiness had been infectious. It had almost taken Ally’s mind off that kiss, and the fact that neither she nor Nate had mentioned it in the two days since.
Almost being the operative word.
It wasn’t as though they’d had a chance to be alone. In her new happy state Riley had been much more sociable, spending time with them in the kitchen while dinner was being cooked, and slumping in the living room with them until it got late. A few times Ally would look over at Nate and see him staring at her with a question in his eyes, but he’d look away again and she’d be the one left with all the questions.
“Jeans then. I should wear jeans, right?” Riley asked.
“Jeans sound good. It can get cool in the movie theater with the air conditioning on.”
“But what should I wear on top? And should I have my hair up or down?” She lowered her voice. “Apparently, some of the guys from my math class are going to the same movie. I don’t want to look out of place.”
Ally raised an eyebrow. “Is there one particular guy you’re worried about?”
“Maybe.” Riley bit down a smile. “But you can’t tell Dad because I’d just die.”
“I won’t.”
“So?” Riley said. “What top should I wear?”
“Let’s go and look in your closet,” Ally suggested, grabbing the remote control to switch the television off. “And if you don’t have anything that works we can look in mine. We’re probably the same size.”
“Apart from your legs. Those are about ten million inches longer than mine.”
“Ah, but your legs are better. They actually work without crutches,” Ally pointed out.
An hour later, Riley was almost ready for her trip out. Nate was working in the coffee shop. So when Riley had asked if Ally could do her make-up she’d agreed.
“There you go,” she said, running a mascara wand through the younger girl’s lashes. “All done. You look gorgeous.” Gently, she turned Riley’s head until she was facing the mirror. She really did look good. Her almond-shaped eyes w
ere to die for, especially when they were highlighted with neutral shadows that had sparkle to them.
“Oh my God! Thank you,” Riley said, hugging her. “You’re amazing.”
“Any time. It was fun. And it’s not as though I get to go out much anymore, is it?”
Riley immediately looked guilty. “No,” Ally said, “I’m not talking about my leg. I just go out less than I used to because I’m not a teenager any more. A lot of my friends have families and partners. It gets harder to find time when we’re all free.”
“But you still go out on dates, right?” Riley asked. “I mean you’re not ancient or anything. Not like Dad.”
Ally laughed. “Now there’s a backhanded compliment if I ever heard one. And yeah, I’ve been out on a few dates. But not so many recently.”
“Why not?”
“I was busy with work. Plus there’s the problem of supply and demand.”
Riley looked confused. “Supply and demand?” she repeated. “What the hell does that mean?”
“I’ve been single for a long time and Angel Sands is a small town. The number of available guys I haven’t dated before decreases every day.” Ally shrugged. “Maybe I’ll end up an old maid.”
“But you’re beautiful,” Riley said. “You could have any guy you want.”
“Well, thank you.” She gave Riley a small smile. “But it doesn’t always work that way. And anyway, we were supposed to be talking about you and this guy. What’s his name and how old is he? I want to know all about him.”
She may have been terrible at dating, but she was great at changing the subject. And as Riley began to tell her about Leo Frischmann, the blonde-haired football God from her Math class, Ally was almost certain the sixteen-year-old girl in front of her was having better success with the opposite sex than she was.