Page 32 of The Inn Dilemma

I give him a nod and ask, “Sup?”

He pushes his glasses up his nose, his eyes narrowing. “Nothing. Want to go to the Lula Belle’s Cafe and get ice cream? They just got ten new flavors.”

I shrug. “Sure.”

Before Christian and I can even step through the door, Amanda says, “Take your sister.”

Christian rolls his eyes. I fight the urge to do the same.

Nova folds her hands in front of her and bats her eyelashes at her brother. “I promise I won’t get on your nerves.”

Christian raises an eyebrow. “You better not.”

“Be sure you’re back before dinner,” Uncle Walt says.

“Yes, sir,” I acknowledge.

“Such a polite boy,” I hear Amanda say as we leave through the back door.

Without warning, Nova loops her arm through mine and peppers me with questions. “When did you move to Rocosa? Why haven’t I seen you around town before? Where did you and Mr. Walter go fishing?”

“Geesh, Nova! Let the kid think. I appreciatethat you’re not annoying me, but don’t annoy the new kid instead.”

Nova pinches her lips closed and gives me an apologetic smile. “Sorry.” She wrinkles her nose, making the dark freckles across her sunburned skin stand out. “It’s been a while since anyone new came to town. And Dad never lets us come to the Storybook Inn to meet any of the kids passing through town.” She puts a skip in her step, shifting my arm up in the process. “I’m just excited that Christian will finally have a friend.”

Christian swats his sister’s other arm. “Shut up. I have friends. If anyone doesn’t have any friends, it’s you!”

I expect her to go all glassy-eyed and pout, but instead, she sticks her tongue out. “I have Reese.”

Christian just rolls his eyes.

We walk the few blocks it takes to get to Lula Bell’s Cafe in silence. As we step through the door and the mixed smell of ice cream and coffee greets me, I realize I didn’t bring any money.

The three of us step up to the ice cream counter, where Christian and Nova place their orders for two hot fudge sundaes. One with nuts and one without nuts, but with extra whipped cream. The clerk turns to me expectantly.

“And what can I get you?” she asks.

“Nothing for me.”

Christian looks at me, clearly confused. “Why?”

I swallow down my embarrassment and try to ignore the burning of my ears. “I didn’t bring any money.”

Nova pats my arm. “Don’t worry. We got you.”

Christian gives me a tentative smile as he pulls a credit card out of his wallet. My eyes widen.

“You have a credit card?”

The clerk smirks at me as if she knows something I don’t.

“Yeah, so tell her what you want. I’ll pay.”

“You sure?”

“Yes!” Nova answers.

I place my order for a sundae, without nuts and with extra whipped cream.

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