Page 46 of Jaked

Bianca rolled her eyes. "That's what it's for, isn't it?"

"Yes," I said, "but not when you've alreadyboughtthe clothes." I looked to the clerk for confirmation.  "Right?"

"Um…" Her gaze drifted from me to Bianca.

"Oh forget it," Bianca said. "I'll be waiting outside." With that, she turned away and started stalking toward the store's entrance.

The clerk pulled out a small pair of scissors and started removing tags. I leaned toward her and lowered my voice. "Sorry about that," I said. "The thing is…" I flicked my gaze toward Bianca, "I'm wearingherclothes, and shereallywants them back. Like now."

The clerk studied my decidedly trashy outfit. "No kidding?" she said.

"And," I said, "she's got to be at work in an hour. If someone steals her corner…" I shrugged. "Well, you know how it is."

The clerk's gaze shifted to Bianca, standing just outside the store entrance. As if feeling our combined gazes, Bianca looked up.

I gave her a little wave. "Don't worry!" I called. "I'll be returning them in a minute."

Frowning, Bianca returned her attention to her phone. While the clerk rang up my purchases, I studied Bianca through the glass. Funny, she and I probablydidwear the same size, even if she was noticeable taller.

I felt myself smile. Maybe Ishouldgive her the hoochie hand-me-downs, if only to see her reaction. The look on her face would be almost worth it.

Ten minutes later, I was huddled in the changing room, wearing my new shirt and yoga pants, along with – thank God – new undergarments. I shoved the hoochie-wear into the shopping bag and breathed a sigh of relief.

It's not that I minded dressing sexy. What Ididmind dressing was like a girl who had sex for money, especially in small, grubby bills.

Finally, I pulled out my cell phone and called my sister.

Selena answered with a frantic, "Luna? Why'd you hang up on me?"

Cradling the phone, I said in a hushed tone, "You mean Anna."

"Who?" Selena asked.

"Anna," I repeated. "Me. It's the name I'm going by now."

"Oh for crying out loud," she said, "that's like the tenth name since high school."

"So?" I said. "I'm trying to find one I like. You got the only good one in the family."

That wasn't completely true. My brothers, Steve and Anthony, had normal names. Of course,theyhad been named by my Dad, not my flake of a Mom, who ran a fortune-telling business of all things.

"Forget that," Selena said. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Because," she said, "you'll never guess who came into mom's shop looking for you."

"Actually," I said, "I bet I can." I glanced at the dressing room door. "But wait. First, I've got a question."

"What?"

I tried to sound casual. "I heard you're getting married. Is that true?"

"Oh crap," she groaned. "Who told you?"

"Thanks a lot," I said. "So it was supposed to be a secret?" My heart sank. "From me?"

"No, it's not like that," she said. "I wanted to tell you myself. That was the whole point."