Page 26 of The Vacation Mix-Up
“Your choice of footwear is even more interesting.” He glances at my feet as if my heels are hideous.
Offended, I gripe, “There’s nothing wrong with my shoes.”
“I didn’t say there was anything wrong with them. I just said your choice to wear them is interesting, given we’re on a ship in the middle of the ocean. You can barely stand, much less walk.”
“I can stand and walk just fine, thanks.”
He smirks again. “Whatever you say, cookie.”
I halt my unsteady steps, still managing to stumble. “Stop calling me that.”
“Why? What’s wrong with cookie?”
“My name is Riley.”
He deadpans, “Yeah, I know.”
“So call me Riley.”
“It’s confusing.”
“How is it confusing?”
“Because I’m Riley too.”
“So? I’m managing just fine. Why can’t you?”
He runs his hand through his hair. “Because I can’t. It’s weird… and because I like cookies.”
My eyebrow hitches.
“Ease up. I don’t mean it like that.”
“Is that so?”
“You bake cookies. It’s fitting.”
“It’s annoying.” I continue walking, focusing on balancing my stride.
“You look like you’re performing a WAT.”
“A what?”
“Exactly.”
Exasperated, I shake my head and rub my temple. “What’s a what?”
“A Walk-and-Turn test… for an officer… to prove you’re not inebriated.”
“Ha-ha. Very funny. I’m just trying to find my damn sea legs.”
“Where’d you lose them?”
I clench my fists, almost ready to punch him or, alternatively,jumpoverboard. “Are you always this irritating?”
“Are you always easily riled?” His eyes light up, and he points at me. “That’s it! Riles. That’s what I’ll call you.”
I suck on my teeth.At least it’s not cookie.“Fine. I can live with that.”
