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Shocked, he took a moment to recover before speaking. “Just to be clear, this doesn’t count.”

Tori laughed. “I didn’t think it would.”

“Tonight?” Chance asked.

“If Leah will come watch Emmett,” she answered.

His day was starting to look up after all.

Seven

“Why can’t I wear the dress from last weekend?” Tori argued with Leah.

“Because he’s already seen you in it. And it was just last week,” Leah exasperation clear in her tone.

They were standing in her walk-in closet, looking through everything she owned as Tori tried to get ready for her date with Chance in less than an hour.

“You should have let me bring stuff over. I should never have believed you had something to wear,” Leah grabbed an armful of clothes and took them to her bed. “We’ll have to get creative.”

Tori followed her to the bed. “It’s not that bad,” she protested. Though, looking at all her options, she had to agree that it wasn’t that great, either.

“Here, try on this skirt.” She held it out for her. “With… this shirt.”

Tori took the black skirt and the low-cut top and proceeded to slip them on. With both pieces on, she did one spin so Leah could inspect her choices.

“That’s going to have to work. We need to go shopping if this keeps up,” Leah told her.

“It’s one date,” Tori laughed.

“I hope it’s more than one. He likes you and your kid, plus he’s hot and you’ve lusted after him for years,” Leah told her. “Besides, how many people get to meet their favorite sports star and then get asked out by them? Embrace this.”

Tori threw the nearest pillow at her friend. “Be quiet before Emmett hears you.”

Leah waved her off. “He’s got headphones and his tablet. He’s not hearing shit.” She leaned back on Tori’s bed. “Tell me about him shutting down and humiliating Isaac again.”

“That is not what I said.”

“It’s what happened, even if you didn’t say it. I still can’t believe it did. I should have gone to the game this morning.”

“Stop it.”

“I’m serious. No one ever gets to school Isaac because you are always telling them to leave it alone, and yet he got to. I wish I had seen it.”

“By no one, you mean you,” Tori laughed.

“Well, yeah. And yet Chance defended the both of you. It’s so sweet.”

“Get off my bed. I’m ready.”

“No, you aren’t.” Leah rose and went to her. “We can do so much better.”

Over the next half hour, Leah proceeded to redo her makeup and hair. It looked way better than when she did it herself, as usual. She didn’t have the talent or desire to learn makeup and hair that Leah did.

“Thank you,” she said.

The doorbell rang, and Leah hurried out of the room. “Wait here while I let him in, and then come down.”

“This isn’t prom night.” She pushed her friend. “Get out of my way.”

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