Page 120 of Pride High 3: Yellow

“I’ll pick up the tab next time,” Cameron promised.

Anthony didn’t know if that meal would ever happen. But he wanted it to, because getting to share in the love that the two older men had for each other was something truly special.

— — —

Keisha pushed against the door to Right Round Records, making immediate eye contact with the hot girl behind the counter, who smiled at the same time she did.

“You’ve gotta shutter this place and go for a walk with me,” Keisha said, folding her sunglasses and hanging them off the front pocket of her pants. “It isgorgeousoutside!”

“I know,” Silvia moaned. “I was pressing myself against the window earlier, just to get some sun.”

“I’m disappointed I missed that,” she said while sauntering over to the counter, which she placed her elbows on. Kesha pressed the butts of her palms together to form a shelf and parked her chin there, batting her eyelashes up at Silvia. “How can your boss live with himself? You’re too beautiful to be locked away during spring break.”

“I brought this upon myself,” Silvia said with a sigh. “It didn’t feel right to slack off while my family is struggling.”

“Well it just so happens that I have good news for you.” Keisha pushed herself away from the counter and back into a standing position. “My parents are going to offer your dad a full-time position on Monday.”

Silvia perked up. “Really? That’s wonderful!”

“I think so too, but I wish they’d decided last week instead. We could be sunning ourselves on the beach right now.”

Silvia laughed. “Does Kansas even have a beach?”

“I would have brought the ocean to you. Somehow.”

Silvia shook her head, as if overwhelmed. “You’ve just given me a much better present! Can I tell my dad? Or should I wait?”

“I figure some advance warning would be good, so he can talk it over with y’all or whatever. My parents kept saying what a hard worker he is, and that was before the cast came off. Now the man is unstoppable.”

“He’s glad to be back on two feet, that’s for sure,” Silvia said happily. The door chimed as another customer came inside, her eyes lighting up until disappointment dimmed them again.

Keisha turned around and saw a guy their age with bronze skin and medium-length black hair that framed his face. He looked kind of like Omar, but he only seemed interested in browsing the records. She returned her attention to Silvia.

“I’m surprised I haven’t had to beat off your boyfriend, just to get a little alone time with you.” Keisha blanched. “Wait, that didnotsound so depraved in my head.”

“I’m sure he’d love the idea,” Silvia said, although her amusement was short-lived. “He’s been really busy lately.”

“With what? It’s spring break!”

“Work, I guess. And a school project.”

“This is Omar we’re talking about, right?” Keisha said in disbelief. Then she grimaced. “Ireallyhope this isn’t my fault. I feel like I set off a chain of events when I told him how we…” She pantomimed pulling from a joint.

Silvia’s expression was troubled. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you shouldn’t blame yourself. He didn’t seem upset about us kissing.”

“In that case…” Keisha said, leaning over the counter again, but only to make her laugh. “Enough about boys. You have to let me inject a little excitement into your life. So what’s it going to be today? A cappuccino? A shot of espresso? A double latte?” All week long, she had been bringing drinks from the café next door. Silvia claimed not to like coffee, which was simply unacceptable, so she kept trying to find a variety she enjoyed. So far, she had taken a sip of each and crinkled her nose, which was so adorable that it was worth the price of admission.

“An iced tea?” Silvia suggested. “Anything but coffee. Please!”

“Ever had an Italian soda?”

“No. What are those like?”

“It’s basically pop, but you get to choose the flavor.”

“Oh! What kinds do they have?”

“Sorry,” Keisha said, shaking her head. “In this specific case, I get to choose the flavor.”