Page 46 of Unbidden

V looks at me with a raised brow, and I can’t help but sigh. “When is your date?”

“Friday,” she says while chewing on her lip.

“How about I come over and help you get ready?” I offer.

“Would you?” Tinsley asks with hope in her eyes.

“Of course.” I give her a soft smile.

“I would love that. Come over Friday after school?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“I can’t wait!” Tinsley kisses each of Victoria’s cheeks before turning to me. She pauses but then leans in and kisses both of my cheeks as well. I’m caught off guard by her actions and turn to watch her walk away.

“She likes you,” Victoria says. “She doesn’t do that with just anyone.”

Tinsley sits down at a table with four males, two of whom I’m very familiar with.

“She doesn’t really know me. How could she like me?” I look back to Victoria.

She shrugs. “She’s particular about the girls she hangs with. Usually she’s only with the guys. Keaton and Reed try to keep the pettiness of the other girls away from her. Finley and Sterling back them up. They have their own little twisted family going on.”

“She seems to like you, V.”

She chuckles. “Tinsley is a sweet girl. We grew up in the same circles. She’s younger, which means girls would use her to try and get close to the boys. After a couple of rounds of that, the boys put an end to it. They don’t mind our relationship because I know the score.”

“So, you’re pretty much her only friend?”

“I guess so. I don’t think of it that way though. I would rather have four quarters than one hundred pennies, you know.”

I’m surprised by her answer, not having expected Victoria to have any depth; I figured she would be a rich bitch who only cared about her image. I’m starting to realize I might’ve been wrong about her.

Chapter Eleven

Idon’t know how I allowed myself to be talked into it, but here I am on a Friday afternoon helping Tinsley pick out an outfit for her first date.

“What about this one?” She pulls out a pink lacey dress that looks as if it belongs in a Disney movie.

“What look are you going for?”

She shrugs and looks bashful. “This is my first date. I’m surprised they even agreed to it. Now I’m nervous. I want to look sexy and desirable but not slutty or trashy.” She gives me a hopeless look. “Maybe I should cancel.”

“Absolutely not. You’re going on this date. Where are you going?” I ask, going into mom mode.

I remember my first date. Mom fussed over my outfit and makeup and made sure my hair was curled just right.

That’s what Tinsley needs since her mother is absent. She’s craving that motherly figure in her life.

Hell, looks like I’m going to assist this time.

“He said we would go to dinner, then a movie.”

“Perfect. Do you know where dinner is?”

Her face softens, the despair from before quickly vanishing.

“He didn’t say, but I could text him and ask.”

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