AR Returns Ch15

Shopping with Jess is an experience.

“I’m going to try not to be that person,” she says as Riley holds up a pair of jeans. “But I’m gonna do it.”

“Go ahead,” Riley says. The store is crowded, understandably. The women of Gurlberg are stoked to finally have a Zara.

“Your girlfriend is an ass woman.”

Riley pauses, blushing. “Is it that obvious?”

“Yes. And yes. So, these are not right for you,” Jess says, gently pushing Riley’s hands and the jeans back toward the shelf. “You need something higher cut.”

“Mom jeans?”

“Shush. Come on. Let’s try these on.”

“Together?”

“Well, yeah. Now I’m all insecure and competitive. I have to make sure I can pull off whatever you can pull off,” Jess says, as though that’s a normal and OK thing to say.

“Is that necessary? And healthy?” Riley asks uncertainly.

“Super healthy. Actually, wait.” Jess bites her lip and looks toward the changing rooms. “You have a phone. I have a phone. We can go in there together.” She gives Riley a look.

“What?”

“You want to get laid tonight?”

Riley turns redder and looks around, leaning close. “We can’t tonight. Mom’s cooking and we’re watching some movie.”

“I didn’t mean with us,” Jess says, giving her a nudge. “Come on. I have an idea. Don’t worry. Adella’s going to love it.”

AR Returns

Adella probably knows that something’s up right away.

First, she saw the selfie that Riley posted with Jess. Second, Riley usually wears leggings at home. The jeans are unusual, but they look good.

Still, Adella’s too cool to ask about them when they finally get back to her place after dinner and the movie with Mary and Kayla, which is relatively painless.

“Are we in time?” Riley asks. There’s going to be a new FUTA TV spot running tonight sometime between 10 and 11, and they want to have ESPN on so that they can catch it. Riley isn’t in it as far as she knows, but she’s dying to see who is.

Adella grabs a beer and Riley has seltzer. They curl up on the sofa together, bathed in the light of the TV. Riley’s not good at acting casual, but she tries anyway as she hands Adella her phone.

“Look at the photos,” she says.

“What?”

“Me and Jess went to Zara today and tried some stuff on. Tell me which ones you like.”

Jess’s plan is simple, yet she clearly understands how Adella’s mind works. Riley’s ears feel hot as she gazes at the TV, listening to Adella prodding the screen of her phone and swiping.

Having a friend when taking spicy pictures in a changing room changes the game completely. Saucy selfies are great, but having another person and the power of a good iPhone with portrait mode is… something.

Riley does her best not to giggle as she hears Adella’s breathing getting heavier. Jess is a good photographer.

Finally, Adella hands the phone back.

“Jess said that would get me laid,” Riley says with a snort, barely containing her laughter.

Adella’s wearing an almost comically stoic face. She rolls her eyes and gets up.

“What? Baby? You aren’t mad that we were hanging out, are you?” Riley asks worriedly.

Adella bends and picks her up, princess-style.

“Oh. Guess not,” Riley says as Adella carries her into the bedroom.