Under the Lights by Dahlia Adler Page A

late to church on Sunday?”
    I whirl around in my seat. “Has anyone ever told you that when you ask a favor, you’re supposed to be nice to the person you’re asking?”
    â€œYeah, but you know I never listen to Ally.”
    â€œGod, you’re the worst.” I shake my head at his stupid grin, but curiosity at why Josh suddenly wants to be a parent-pleaser wins out. “So, what do you need and why?”
    He hesitates, and I think it might be the first time I’ve seen Josh Chester look…embarrassed.
    â€œUm, did you think you were gonna be able to ask my help
without
telling me what it was for?”
    â€œNo, I’m just bracing myself for how big of a bitch you’re gonna be about it.”
    â€œA pretty huge one, now,” I say sweetly.
    â€œI knew this was a mistake.” He turns to go, and I let him; I know he’ll be back in two seconds. Who else is he gonna ask?
    Unsurprisingly, he turns around and walks back in before he can even close my trailer door behind him. “Okay, fine. Just…keep it to yourself, will you?” He shuts the door and makes himself comfortable on my couch while I return to tending to my face in the mirror. “My mother’s pressuring me to do this reality show thing in order to keep my house, and I need to please her until I can get her to sign over the deed. But every single thing I do seems to piss her off, starting with how I dress. So can you please come over and help me find something that screams ‘let’s mutually cooperate’?”
    Again, this seems ironic, since my mother’s response to me upon leaving the house this morning was, “Shouldn’t you wear a real shirt over that shirt?” But I’m pretty sure that Josh’s mom at least lives in this century, so this should be easy enough.
    The question is, what do I want in return?
    â€œI have plans with Zander tonight.” I say it to inform him that I’m busy, but as I do, I realize that maybe he can help me after all. Not that I would ever admit to Josh that our relationship is every bit as lame as he thinks it is. Or that we’ve barely done more than make out. But while meaningful relationships aren’t exactly Josh’s thing, getting them to move faster certainly is. If anyone can tell me how to kick this whole thing with Zander up a notch, sadly, it’s Josh Chester.
    Of course, Josh rolls his eyes at the mere mention of Zander’s name. “Not to worry. I’ll get you to yourdate at a proper hour. What time
are
the kids eating the early bird special these days? Wouldn’t want him to miss out on any of his beauty sleep. How
would
his hair stand up that way otherwise?”
    â€œYour jealousy is so cute. Sorry my boyfriend has a fan club of a zillion while you can barely get your agent to remember your name.” I examine my skin in the mirror, and, satisfied it looks makeup free, I rub on some moisturizing sunscreen. “But, yes, if you get me back on time—and do something for me—I’ll help you.”
    â€œAnd what would you like me to do for you, K-drama? Lie down in the lot while you reverse your car over my face?”
    â€œI’m not sure yet,” I admit. “But I’m reserving a favor. Right now. You are in my debt. Say it.”
    He narrows his eyes.
    I shrug and put my focus back on rimming my eyes with black liner.
    â€œFine. Ronen’s already here. Finish putting on your face, and you can follow us up.”
    â€œHey, you want my help, then you can drive me up and back to my car. If I’m sitting in the traffic up to Malibu, I’m not doing it behind the wheel.” The truth is, I hate driving long distances by myself, but that’s yet another factoid to file under “Things I Will Never Tell Josh Chester.”
    â€œFine,” he says with a huffy sigh. “Two minutes. And take it easy on the eyeliner—we’re going to