AR Returns Ch14

Getting coffee is a totally innocent thing to do.

But it doesn’t feel that way. Riley’s intensely self-conscious as she sits across from Jess at a little table by the window. It’s a perfect scene, yet she’s sweating. This is not a date, but the scene is like a date. Being here with a beautiful blonde like Jess is just a slightly aged-up version of Riley’s fantasies from as recently as a year ago.

“What is up with you?” Jess can’t help herself; she’s trying not to laugh.

“I’m feeling guilty,” Riley replies, hiding behind her coffee.

“Would you feel better if we told our partners that we’re here? Because we can do that,” Jess says.

“We can?”

Jess nods.

Relief floods Riley. “OK,” she says bashfully, getting out her phone. Jess abruptly scoots her chair over and leans in.

“Selfie. And post it,” she says.

“Oh, uh…” Riley’s temporarily stunned; having Jess so close makes her heart race, and Jess smells incredible. Like Latte and Michael Kors. “OK.” Riley holds up her phone and Jess leans even closer.

“Duckface it,” she says. “And sparkles. Like it’s 2013 again.”

“OK,” Riley laughs and snaps the picture. She posts it and tucks her phone away as Jess returns to her normal spot and takes a drink, brushing her hair behind her ear and adjusting her sweater. She looks at her watch.

“I was going to go goof off at that new store,” she says. “For just a little while before I went back to the office. Have you been yet?”

Riley is blank. “What new store?”

“Zara. We have a Zara now.”

“Wait, really?”

“I guess you wouldn’t pay attention to that, bigshot celebrity,” Jess teases.

Gurlberg is a small town with profoundly limited shopping. A Zara is a huge deal. Riley can’t believe that Kayla hasn’t mentioned it.

“Oh shit. That’s great,” she says.

“You want to check it out?”

Riley hesitates.

Jess smiles and leans forward. “Need to get permission?”

“I feel like I should,” Riley replies, embarrassed.

“You’re too cute. I will too then.” Jess plops her purse on the table and pops the buckles, taking out her phone. Riley hurriedly texts Adella, who will not answer because she’s working. That’s a dilemma. The clock’s ticking.

“Done,” Jess says.

“I don’t know if she’s going to reply right away,” Riley says, frowning. “Umm…”

“It’s OK. We can do it some other time.”

“No, it’s fine. I mean, she’ll forgive me if I buy sexy undies or something.”

Jess lights up. “That is a good idea,” she says. “We can be twins.”

Riley twitches. She actually hadn’t been trying to take it there.

Jess sees her hesitance. “I mean, that is if you want to be twins with a Millennial,” she adds with a wry smile.

“Oh. Yeah. Um, OK,” Riley says.