“Cool! Do you see lots of blood and stuff?”
“Lots of blood. And broken legs and arms, too.”
“Wow! What’s the grossest thing you saw today?”
Brad pursed his lips while contemplating his question. “I didn’t see a lot of blood today, but one guy threw up and it almost hit me.”
“Awesome!” He moved to walk next to Brad, grabbing his hand. “Will you tell my big brother, ‘cuz he won’t believe me.”
Grace grinned. “I see how easily I’m replaced.” She didn’t have to worry about Horatio’s misplaced affections anymore. He was in love with Brad.
*****
“What should I wear?” Grace held up two sweater choices for Hannah. “I’ve got an actual date with Brad tonight at six, and I’m kind of nervous.”
“You can borrow my blue top with the scoop neck. That color makes your eyes look blue.”
“I don’t know. Do you think it may be too low cut?”
Hannah grabbed her hand to tug her up the stairs. “Come on. Let’s try some things on.”
“Wait.” Claire bounded behind them. “I’ll help with her makeup.”
Olivia looked up from her study perch on the bed when the giggling trio tumbled into the room. “What’s going on?”
“We’re getting Grace ready for her date with Brad,” said Hannah. “Do you have an opinion on what she should wear?”
In seconds she abandoned the book for Grace’s closet. “You should wear these tight black jeans and these cute new boots with the four-inch platform heels. You haven’t even worn ‘em since you bought ‘em.”
“That’s because I bought them on sale at the beginning of summer,” said Grace. “But you don’t even know where we’re going on the date.”
Olivia said, “I’m assuming it has something to do with sports, since it’s you and Brad.”
“You’re right,” Grace admitted. “It’s the Rangers and the Islanders—it’ll be so much fun.”
“Now what sport is that?” asked Olivia.
“Olivia,” Claire scolded. “How can you grow up in New York and not know the Rangers and the Islanders are hockey teams?”
Hannah said, “That’s okay Olivia—I didn’t know either. So it’s ice hockey? Will it be cold? Hang on a minute, I’m gonna grab some tops from my closet. It’s too bad you’re such a shrimp—I’ve got some adorable jeans that would look great on you.” She disa
ppeared into the hallway.
“It doesn’t matter where they’re going,” said Olivia. “She has to look good. This is like a first date—they’re practically starting over again.”
“Thanks a lot. I was already nervous,” said Grace.
Claire patted her back. “Don’t pay any attention to them. It’s just a date with a guy you’ve spent lots of time with. It’s not like you haven’t kissed him since you got back together.”
“Uhmm... Actually, we haven’t kissed yet. We haven’t really had an opportunity. And Brad’s been nice, but he’s acting... I don’t know... I guess the best word to describe it is cautious.”
Olivia grinned. “Like I said before, it’s a first date. And we’re going to make sure you look so good he won’t be able to resist kissing you.”
Grace felt heat radiating from her face. “I don’t want to look too sexy or anything. That’s how I started this whole mess.”
Claire tilted her head. “What exactly did you do? You’ve never told us the truth.”
“I don’t want to say—you’ll think I was crazy. And anyway that’s all in the past.”