Page 174 of Wicked Dreams

Claire jogs up, panting.

“Jesus, Hanna,” she admonishes. To me, she says, “She saw you and took off.”

Hanna makes a face, and I brush back her hair. She’s only a few years younger than us, but I babied her more than Claire ever did. Probably because I never had a permanent kid sister, and it felt like we were going to be together for a while.

I remember my manners suddenly and turn to Lenora. “Claire, Hanna, this is my foster mom. Lenora, these are my old foster siblings, Claire and Hanna.”

Lenora’s nostrils flare—or maybe it’s my imagination. She smiles at the girls, reaching out to shake their hands.

Claire stares at her outstretched hand and doesn’t move.

Embarrassment creeps up my neck in the form of a blush. I’ve been telling Lenora and Robert about my foster siblings, how much I missed them, and here Claire is, shoving that all out the window.

Hanna steps forward and takes Lenora’s hand, shaking it up and down enthusiastically. It makes up for the iciness of her sister.

“Can we steal Margo?” Claire glances at Riley, then averts her gaze. “We were hoping to see her this weekend.”

After Lenora bought me a dress, and Riley and I are spending time together? I automatically feel guilty for even thinking that I could break away and go with Claire and Hanna.

I start to turn her down. “Claire?—”

“It’s okay.” Lenora shares a look with Riley.

Riley shrugs.

“You go spend some time with them. I’m going to put our stuff in the car, and we’ll meet you in the food court? In an hour?”

Guilt.

It’s all I feel.

I start to say no again, but Hanna grabs my hand.

“Come see this shirt Claire’s gonna buy me!” she says, hopping from one foot to the other. At my nod, she drags me down the hallway.

Claire, Riley, and I end up in a kids’ clothing store, chasing Hanna around. She excitedly tears clothes off the racks to try on. I glance at Claire, who now smiles openly.

“We get an allowance,” she tells me. “And we’ve been saving up for a shopping spree.”

And my foster mom bought a five-hundred-dollar dress without flinching.

NowI’mthe one trying not to flinch.

Claire follows Hanna toward the dressing room, making her come out after each shirt. They end up selecting three, all from the clearance rack, and a pair of jeans.

I try not to let it bother me.

Money, friends, love.

It’s all luck of the draw for us.

“Ice cream?” Hanna asks.

Claire frowns. “We can split a cone.”

Lenora had given me a twenty-dollar bill earlier. I feel it in my pocket and smile. “My treat.”

Hanna screams. It’s high-pitched and intense. Even after she’s stopped, it bangs around my head.

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