Page 2 of The Flyboy's Girl
“Right! Because it’s not like this isn’t the most social time of year. I mean, the holidays are right around the corner, and homecoming is in a few weeks.” She lets out a sigh and slumps forward, elbows on the counter. “At least he gave us until the Monday before Thanksgiving to complete it.”
“That’s good. Hopefully you can get the bulk of it finished early and still have time for everything else.”
“I hope so,” she says as she takes a cookie from the jar.
The rapid sound of feet coming down the stairs reminds me and I warn, “Brace yourself.”
“Zoey, my favorite sister in the whole wide world,” Alana says while wrapping her arms around Zoey from behind.
“Let’s not forgetonly, so that automatically makes me the favorite,” Zoey counters.
“Yeah, there is that,” Alana replies causing Zoey to laugh.
Knowing Alana has nothing left to argue, Zoey takes pity on her and says, “What can I do for you my favorite little sister?”
I smile as I listen to Alana tell Zoey how, by way of three other people, Justin asked her to the dance, then finally asking Zoey to help her come up with an amazing dress for the dance.
“This wouldn’t be Justin Harris would it?”
“Um, yeah,” Alana replies shyly.
“The same Justin Harris that you’ve had a crush on since the first grade?”
Biting my lip, I glance up to see Alana blushing before turning my attention back to preparing dinner.
With a sigh and a roll of her eyes, she says, “You know it is. Will you help me Zoe? Please?”
A slow smile spreads across Zoey’s face, “Of course I’ll help you! Now we have to come up with something completely fabulous so Justin won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
“Zoey,” I warn, “keep in mind she is onlytwelve, so nothing too provocative. And I’ve already told Alana, Dad and I have to approve of it.”
Looking at her sister, Alana gives Zoey a nod in agreement to the terms. “We can live with that,” Zoey says as she hops off the stool. “Come on, let’s go up to my room and brainstorm until dinner.”
As they scramble out of the room, I hear them say, “Hi Dad,” moments before Mark enters the kitchen.
“”Hey, gorgeous,” he greets, just as he has every day of our marriage, as he walks over to my side and kisses me.
“Mmm, hey you. How was your day?”
“Much better now,” he replies giving me another quick kiss. “Do I even want to know where the girls were headed in such a rush?”
Slipping into my best twelve-year-old girl impression I say, “Well, Justin asked Marissa, who asked Amber if Alana would go to the Harvest Moon dance with him.”
A slight scowl mars his handsome face as he asks, “Do we know this Justin?”
“We do. Justin Harris, they live a few streets over from us. He and Alana have known each other since kindergarten.”
“Why didn’t he ask her to the dance himself?”
“I’ve been assured that he will. Apparently he was just trying to make sure she didn’t already have a date.”
Mark groans and rubs his forehead. “Did you have to use theDword? I’m not ready to think about Alana dating, I’m still in denial about Zoey.”
Laughing, I dry my hands and make my way over to my husband. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I lay my head on his chest. “You knew this day was going to arrive sooner or later.”
Sighing, he rests his chin on the top of my head. “Yeah, yeah. I was just hoping for much later than twelve.”
Stifling a giggle, I try for a comforting tone as I attempt to ease his mind. “It’s only a school dance. I’m pretty sure they are just going to meet there, stand awkwardly along the wall, maybe even dance once or twice. I’m willing to bet he doesn’t even kiss her.”
