Say Yes by Mellie George Page A

with him, but thinking back on how I had asked him my favor, it
really did sound that way. Who was I to ask him something like that?  ‘Hey
Luke, nice to see you, let me be all blushy and flirty and complimentary to
you, but then ask to be friends with you on the sly so no one will think we are
doing it?’ When I played it back in my mind like that, I was sounding like a bitch.
I was going to call him later and straighten this out.  I didn’t want to lose a
friend over my paranoia. Daisy suddenly pulled me out of my wandering thoughts.
“Hey, what do you think?”
                “Oh, sorry, my
mind was somewhere else.”
                “Yeah, I’m
pretty sure where.  I asked if you wanted to actually go shopping.  Ya know,
put some truth to the lie.”
                “Um, sure.  I
really do need to do my holiday and wedding gift shopping, that much is true. 
When do you want to go?”
                “Well, how
‘bout now?  Brody’s won’t be busy until later tonight. What do you say?”
                I sighed and
smiled. “I say, let’s go put a dent in my credit card.” She squealed, and we
both got out coats on and made our way to the closest mall.

Chapter 9
 
Brody’s Bar
     
     
    After
a busy, and expensive, day of shopping, Daisy and I finally made it back home. 
I loved shopping, especially when it was for other people.  I had gotten
everything I needed for everyone from Mama and Daddy all the way to Evan and
Jack. I also bought a gift for Luke. Before we knew it, it was time to head out
for our ladies night at Brody’s. I hadn’t really packed anything to wear to a
bar, so I bought a few new outfits while I was out. After trying everything on
at least once, I ended up settling on a pair of skinny jeans, calf high black
stiletto boots, and a black sparkly tank top.  I twisted my hair into a messy
updo, put on a pair of silver hoop earrings, threw on a little lipstick, and
walked downstairs to meet Daisy.  At that moment, Mama and Daddy walked through
the front door. “Hey darling,” said Daddy.
                I walked to
him and kissed him on the cheek. “Hey. Did you two have a good time?”
                “Oh yes, the
movie was great. How was your day? Your Mama told me you went Christmas
shopping with Daisy.”
                “Yes, and I
think I might have spent three months pay on everything we bought.” When I
noticed him raise a speculative eyebrow at me, I said, “Don’t look at me like
that. I hadn’t shopped at all yet, and I had a lot to get.”
                “Okay then.
It’s your money, I guess.  Spend it how you want,” Daddy said, smiling warmly. 
Even though we grew up comfortably, Daddy was never one to take it for granted,
and donated to different charities often.
                “Don’t worry,
Daddy. I am going to give back, I just haven’t decided which charity to donate
to this year yet.  I’m still deciding.”
                “Good.  So,
you heading out again?  You look all dressed up.”
                “Oh, yeah.
Daisy and I were going to head to Brody’s in a bit.”
                “That sounds
like fun.  Just behave yourselves,” he said, with a wink. Just then, his pager
beeped.  He took it out of his pocket, and looked down.  “That’s the hospital,
I need to take this.  You and Daisy have fun tonight, and remember what I told
you,” he said, and hugged me around the shoulders.
                With a quick
kiss on the cheek, I said, “I will Daddy, I promise.”
                “Make sure to
say goodbye to your Mama before you go,” he added, dialing a number on the
telephone.
                Just then,
Mama walked into the foyer. “You leaving me again?” she said, smiling warmly.
                “Oh, Daisy and
I were going to go to Brody’s tonight…is that