“Why don’t you go out tonight? You told me you love to dance, right? And you’ve been to the Road Block. You should go back there, go dancing.”
I wasn’t sure how to reply. “Uh, that sounds like so much fun, Ali. But I’m not sure I want to go over there by myself, and I don’t know anyone else in town. Or at least, no one to take me dancing. I’ve only met students and parents, and none of them seem like they’d make good dates.”
Ali swung bright eyes toward her brother. “Sam, you should take Meghan dancing tonight.”
He was shaking his head before the words left her mouth. “Nope. No way. I don’t do dancing, and I’m too tired to go out tonight. You might remember I’ve been out in the hot sun all day, in the fields?”
“All day?” Ali’s tone was arch, and Sam flushed.
“I’m not going.”
“Really, Ali, it’s okay. I’m fine to just—”
“What’s the matter with you, Sam? Are you afraid to take her out? Afraid of a little dancing? I remember when you used to be fun.”
At this point, Bridget and I were watching the back and forth like a tennis match. The little girl’s eyes, wide and wondering, met mine. I gave a little shrug.
“Ali, give it up. I’m not going out tonight.”
Temper flared in Ali’s brown eyes, so like her brother’s. “Fine. Then I will.”
“What?” All three of our voices joined in combined surprise.
“I haven’t done anything fun with a friend for so long I can’t remember the last time. If you’re not going to take Meghan dancing, then I’ll go with her. I wanted to check out the new bar, anyway.”
“What in the hell are you talking about, Ali?” Sam brought his hands down on the table. “Since when do you go to bars?”
“You might remember, brother dear, that I’m young. Maybe I’ve wanted to go out and kick up my heels for a long time, and maybe this is my chance. You’re not going anywhere. You can stay home with Bridget. Put her to bed at eight. And don’t wait up. We’re going to be late.” She dropped her fork onto her plate with a clatter. “Oh, and you can do the dishes, too. C’mon, Meghan. Go get dressed. We’re leaving in fifteen minutes.”
She pushed back her chair and stamped out of the kitchen. I watched her go, my mouth open. When I turned back to look at Sam, he had resumed eating.
“Sam, I didn’t—I mean, I never thought—”
He shook his head. “You better go get ready. When she says fifteen minutes, she means it. And you need to make sure she doesn’t get into trouble. She’s not lying when she says she hasn’t been out in a long time.” He added something about the blind leading the blind, but I headed to my room before he could elaborate.
Fourteen minutes later, I was back in the kitchen, wearing a denim mini-skirt and green tank top. Ali was there already, in a pretty flowered sundress that hit her leg high above the knee and hugged her curves. Her cowboy boots were feminine, with lots of silver topstitching over the black leather. She’d pulled her long brown hair into a curly ponytail.
“Wow, hot mama!” I whistled as I checked her out and then guiltily looked for Bridget. To my relief, she’d already gone upstairs.
“You look good, too.” Ali eyed me critically. “Except you need different shoes. Your feet’ll get stomped in those sandals.”
I held out one foot. “Sorry, I don’t have any. I didn’t pack anything but these and my flip flops.”
“That’s okay, I have the perfect pair. Be right back.” She skipped past me toward the stairs.
Sam was standing at the sink, up to his elbows in suds. I cleared my throat. “Thanks for doing the dishes. We won’t stay out long. And I promise, I won’t have anything to drink.”
He glanced at me over his shoulder. “Just don’t drive drunk. I don’t want to have to wake up Bridget to go bail you and my sister out of jail.” His eyes traveled down my shirt, where it clung to my boobs, to the skirt that barely covered what it had to. His lips pressed together. “Meghan—”
“Here we go!” Ali reappeared with a pair of bright red shoes. “We’re about the same size. Try them and see.”
I kicked off my sandals and stepped into the sky-high heels. I’d expected them to be tight and uncomfortable, but they actually fit me like a glove and felt perfect.
“Awesome. Okay, let’s go.” She paused at the back door. “I have my phone, Sam. Bridget’s in the tub, and she’ll be ready for bed in a little bit. You know what to do.” She held the screen for me.