Page 46 of Three Little Wishes

Cami’s vision blurred around the edges, and she took a step back, and then another and another until she was standing in the hall. “No.” She shook her head. “No.”

“Cami, what is it? What’s wrong?”

She pressed a hand against her stomach. “I don’t know. I’m not feeling so good.”

Riley sighed. “That’s what you get for drinking almost an entire bottle of wine.” She returned the photo to the box. “I’ll make you some toast.”

Cami gave Riley a shaky smile when she reached her side, and pulled her in for a hug. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”

“Really?”

Cami nodded. “Really.”

Riley gave her a shy smile. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had too.”

“You’re sure you’re not mad at me for dyeing your hair pink or getting you in trouble with Noah?” Cami asked, following her down the stairs.

“A whole head of pink hair was a bit much, but I like the streaks,” Riley said, holding out the pink-streaked curly locks that framed her face before letting them go and walking to the kitchen. “And it’s not like you made me drink the wine.”

“Yeah, but I don’t think Noah cares whether I made you drink it or not. I’m pretty sure he hates me.” She looked around the kitchen. “Where are they, anyway?”

“At the station for a meeting. Willow said they’ll be home around noon. And my brother doesn’t hate you, Cami. He’s just not used to having anyone living with him, especially, uh, teenage girls. He likes everything nice and orderly, and he likes his quiet.” Riley grinned. “And you’re like having a tornado in the house.”

“It’s not just that. He thinks I’m a bad influence. He’s your brother, and he’s protective. I’m pretty sure if it wasn’t for you and Willow, he would’ve kicked me out of the beach house last night. But I get it. If I were him, I’d want to kick me out too. I’ll apologize when he gets home. I won’t do anything else to get us in trouble, Riley. Promise.”

Riley turned from putting four slices of bread into the toaster. “You don’t seem like yourself. Are you sure you’re okay? Other than being hungover, I mean.”

She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t like people being mad at me.”

“I know what would make Noah happy.”

“What?”

“After we have some toast, we’ll go up and clean your room. Then I’ll take a pic and send it to Noah. I guarantee that’ll put him in a good mood before he comes home.”

“I guess. If you think it’ll work.”

“I know it will. And I bet you’ll feel better too.”

An hour and a half later, they stood in the middle of Cami’s spotlessly clean bedroom. Not a thing was out of place. They’d even vacuumed and dusted.

“Noah had better appreciate this. I’m exhausted.” Cami sniffed herself and made a face. “I think I sweated out the wine. I’m going to take a shower.”

“How are you exhausted? You sat on the bed and bossed me around.”

“My arm’s in a cast, Riley. It’s not like I could pick up anything too heavy.”

“Clothes aren’t heavy, and they’re not that difficult to hold, even one-handed.”

Cami grinned as she walked to the bathroom, feeling a lot better than she had earlier that morning. Maybe Riley was right: having a clean room worked wonders. “I’ll make it up to you.”

“How are you going to do that?” Riley grumbled from where she sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for a response from Noah to her email. She’d sent him a pic of Cami pretending to vacuum her room.

“I’ll think about it when I’m in the shower.”

“Well, it better be good.” Riley grinned, holding up her iPad. “Noah’s so happy thatyoucleaned your room, he’s picking up lobster rolls for lunch.”

“Woo-hoo!” Cami cried. “This is going to be the best day!”

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