The Best Friend by Melody Carlson Page B

her waist. “I think I’ll keep my birthday present handy for the time being,” he told her.
    She smiled up at him, suppressing the urge to giggle like a six-year-old. She couldn’t believe this was really happening. Riley looked almost as shocked as Lishia felt. Then she gave her a sly wink and a thumbs-up.
    For a while, Lishia felt like she was on top of the world. At Todd Reimer’s side, being admired by him, greeting his friends as if she and Todd had been dating for ages . . . life was good!
    â€œLet’s get you something to drink,” Todd told her as they walked over to the food and drink area. “What would you like?”
    â€œDo you, uh, how about a Sierra Mist?”
    He frowned like he’d misheard her. “Huh?”
    â€œI, uh, I mean, a Coke. I think I’d like a Coke.”
    A slow grin crossed his face. “And perhaps you’d like a little something in your Coke?”
    â€œIce?”
    He laughed. “Here, let me take care of it.” He quietly said something to the guy who was playing bartender, and before she knew it he was handing her what she knew was a Coke spiked with something.
    She took a sniff, then shook her head. “I don’t drink alcohol.”
    He looked shocked. “Seriously? Never?”
    â€œNever.”
    His hand slipped away from where it had been snugly holding on to her waist, and his smile faded. “Oh . . .” He reached for the drink and took a sip with a dismayed expression. “Sorry. I mean, it’s not like I put anything illegal in it. Just a little rum is all.”
    Everything in her wanted to grab the drink back from him. She wanted to tell him she was just kidding and that she loved to drink, that she drank all the time . . . but her lips seemed to be glued tightly together. She watched sadly as he excused himself and went to greet some newcomers. It seemed that her moment in the limelight was over.
    â€œHey, Lishia,” said a guy’s voice. “You’re looking all right.”
    She turned to see Dayton studying her closely. “Where’s Gillian?” she asked.
    He shrugged. “It’s not like I keep the girl on a leash. Besides, we’re not really going out, you know. Not officially anyway.” He moved closer, like he was really checking her out. “You’ve changed, Lishia.” He smiled approvingly.
    â€œIt’s Riley’s influence,” she said quickly. Then she smiled. “Remember her? Your ex-girlfriend?”
    He grinned sheepishly. “Don’t remind me.”
    â€œRiley is a really cool girl,” Lishia said defensively. “We’re becoming good friends, and I’m starting to see there’s a lot more to her than I realized.”
    Dayton looked surprised. “Really?”
    â€œReally. For one thing, she’s a loyal friend.”
    He nodded like he was thinking about that.
    â€œAnd believe it or not, she’s still into you .” She thumped him on the chest.
    Now he looked skeptical. “Tell me another one.”
    â€œShe is, Dayton. She told me so just today.”
    â€œGet out of here.” He took a sip from his red plastic cup.
    â€œSeriously, she wishes you guys had never broken up.”
    â€œYou’re full of it.”
    She looked directly at him. “I swear I’m telling the truth, Dayton.”
    â€œDoes she know you’re talking to me?” he asked quietly.
    Lishia glanced around the crowded room. “No.”
    A slow smile crept onto his face. “So old Riley still has a thing for me?”
    Lishia hoped she hadn’t made a mess out of this. “I think she does. But I also think you’ve hurt her, Dayton. It might not be that easy to get her back.” She looked over his shoulder to see that Gillian and a couple of her friends had just come into the room. Bad timing.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” he asked.
    â€œNothing.” She