Claire Read Online Free Page B

and thoughtfulness of the gift that that time had finally come. Not only would Claire dominate the style rounds of Miss Kiss, but she could return to Westchester and Octavian Country Day School knowing for certain that she was 150 percent
in
.
    “How jealous will Sarah, Sari, and Mandy be when they see this?” Todd asked, licking his devil-red lips in pleasure.
    Claire’s insides dipped like she was careening down Magic Mountain. “Ugh, I forgot about
that
.” She hopped down off the bench to the floor. Had the ceramic tiles been that chilly a few minutes ago?
    “Why so sad?” Todd put his clammy palm on Claire’s tanned shoulder.
    “Since when do
you
care?” Claire wiggled out from under his grip.
    “A depressed employee is bad for business.”
    At that moment Claire would have traded every dime she’d ever made for a neutral friend to talk to. Someone who didn’t care what she wore, whom she hung out with, or where she shopped. But Layne was at a weeklong science clinic with some friends from her summer school class. And Claire was dead to Cam.
    Unfortunately, it looked like Todd would have to do.
    “Long story short,” she began, “I’m auditioning for Miss Kiss on Saturday, and Massie sent me a box of ah-mazing clothes to wear. But if I wear them, Sarah, Sari, and MandywhonowgoesbyAmandy will say I’ve become ‘all Westchester’ and that I think I’m too cool for Dress Barn, so I have to wear . . .” She lifted her finger, letting Todd know she’d be back in a second. After a quick dash to her bedroom closet, Claire returned with the EW dress.
“This.”
    “It looks like someone barfed jellybeans on it,” Todd giggled.
    “I
know
.” Claire stomped her bare foot in frustration.
    “So why not let them pick dresses from the Massie box too?” Todd suggested, swiping his red hair off his still-shiny forehead.
    Claire paused. For the first time in ten years, her brother had said something constructive. But after a second of contemplation, she shook her head.
    “I can’t. They’ll think I don’t like the dresses they bought and that I’m—”
    “What’s this?” Judi Lyons asked as she bounced downstairs in her lemon yellow tennis dress. She hadn’t played in years, but she thought the pleated mini was still flattering and hated to see it go to waste. The sun had turned her shoulder-length brown hair dark blond (“free of charge!”), and she had decided to “go with it” until she returned to Westchester.
    “Clothes.” Claire beamed with pride. “From Massie.”
    Judi smacked her own forehead. “That reminds me, Kendra called.”
    “Why?”
Claire asked, hoping the Blocks hadn’t suddenly decided to rent their guesthouse to another family.
    “The message said something about hoping I don’t mind the intrusion. She must have been talking about this box.”
    “Tell her we don’t mind!” Claire urged.
    “I will.” Judi kissed the top of Claire’s head—a kiss that said,
I am happy you’re happy.
She palmed the white wicker vestibule table. “Shoot. My keys are upstairs. Be right back, then we can head out.”
    “Where are you guys going?” Todd screeched. “We’re in the middle of shooting!”
    “I told you I had walking practice at Dipper Dan’s.” Claire threw the Good & Plenty dress over her shoulder as if it was a dirty towel. “And I already got the reading shot.”
    Todd spread his arms out. “How’d I look?”
    “Great,” Claire sighed.
    “Jealous?” Todd asked, smiling at the dress.
    “It’s not funny! What am I gonna do?”
    Todd tapped his freckly chin and looked up at the ceiling fan. “Hey! Remember that time Massie ‘accidentally’ spilled a latte on Kristen’s church dress so she wouldn’t have to wear it to the Easter dance?”
    Claire giggled at the memory.
    “Wellllllll?” Todd winked.
    “How much?” Claire groaned.
    “I want the T-Odd Jobs photos for free.” He folded his arms across his red T-Odd Jobs shirt and made his