Tori’s brows furrowed as she reached for the folded paper. “Why wouldn’t she have Michael give to me?”
“I don’t know. But now I’ve done my duty.” She shot a look from Jesse’s face to Tori’s and grinned. “Oh, by the way, I have a really, really important party to go to Saturday. And guess what? Josh Cahill asked if he could escort me. He’s the cutest boy in school.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so happy for you.” Tori shared her niece’s smile.
Jesse stood and dusted his pants. “Wait just one minute, here, ladies. Who is this Josh person?”
Tori and Rachel both stared at him.
“He’s in my class.”
Jesse crossed his arms. “Who are his parents, and when do we get to meet him?”
Tori grinned. “He’s right, honey, we should meet this young man before you go somewhere with him.”
“This is so embarrassing.” Rachel chewed on her lip.
Jesse placed his hands on his hips. “Not so embarrassing. I just want to meet this Josh before the party.”
Tori got busy gathering up the catalogs, her shoulders slightly shaking.
“All right, I’ll bring him around after school tomorrow.”
Jesse nodded. “That’s good. I’ll expect you both in my office.”
Rachel rolled her eyes, and turned to Tori. “Um, well, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”
“What?” Tori blinked rapidly to remove the tears of laughter from her eyes.
Rachel twisted her hands. “Um, do you think I could get a new dress?”
“Well, most likely. Let me go over our finances.”
“I’ll buy you the dress, Rachel.” Jesse wanted to help make things easier for Tori, to show her they were all family, despite their problems.
Tori regarded him. “You don’t have to. I’m sure I can come up with the money.”
“No, I want to do it. Don’t forget, she’s my niece through marriage. I like the idea of a pretty young girl having a new dress for an important party.” He winked at Rachel, who blushed furiously. “After I meet this Josh person, that is.” His voice lowered.
“Wonderful.” Rachel hugged herself, twirling in a circle. “See you later. I have a lot of homework.”
Tori smirked at him as the front door closed.
“What?” Jesse asked.
“You were sure acting like a protective father there.”
Jesse raised his eyebrows. “I will not allow her to go with a young man I haven’t met. I don’t know the Cahill family, do you?
“No. I don’t think so.”
“There you are.”
Still smiling, Tori opened the paper Rachel had given her, her eyes shifting back and forth as she read. Her smiled turned to a frown.
“What is it?” Jesse moved to her side to peer at the paper.
“Miss Evans wants to see me tomorrow after school. Something about Michael.”