Chapter 11
Liz walked into her grandmother’s house and flopped down on the couch. She was exhausted.
“Long day?” Audrey asked, coming out of the kitchen. “How did it go with Alexis?”
Liz grinned. “Wonderful. Better than I ever imagined. She’s so great, and she really wants to get to know me. I still can’t believe it all.”
“Well, she called a few minutes ago and left her number. Said to have you call her as soon as you got home.” Audrey handed her a piece of paper and chuckled as Liz shot off of the couch and hurried into the kitchen to grab the phone.
“Hi, Alexis, it’s Liz. My grandmother said you called?”
“Yes, I did. I wanted to know if you’d like to join Ned and me for dinner tomorrow night? He wants to meet you, and I’ve got some really good news I want to share with you.”
“That would be great! I have to work in the afternoon, but I should have time to hurry home and change. What time do you want me to be there?”
“Just be ready by 8:00. We’ll pick you up at your house. I’ll see you tomorrow night, then! Bye!”
“Bye!” Liz hung up the phone and smiled, wondering what Ned would be like, and what this big news was.
“You look awfully happy about something!” Audrey said as Liz came back into the living room.
“Alexis just invited me out to dinner with her and Ned tomorrow night. She said she had some big news to tell me. I’m so nervous, though. What if Ned doesn’t like me, or I don’t like him?”
Audrey shook her head. “Don’t worry, Ned Ashton is a very nice man. I’m sure you’ll love him, and I know he’ll love you! Now, what are you going to wear?”
Liz gasped. “Oh no! I didn’t bring anything dressy enough. What am I going to do?”
“You’re going to go to the mall with me tonight, and we’ll find you a perfect dress, that’s what you’re going to do,” Audrey said firmly, standing up and getting her purse.
Liz laughed. “Thanks, Gram, you’re the best.”
~*~
Lucky walked into Kelly’s and looked around.
“Looking for someone?” Bobbie said, coming out of the kitchen with a grin on her face.
“Um, no. How come you’re still here?” he asked, sitting down at the counter.
“Well, someone has to run this place when Tammy’s not here! Anyway, if you’re looking for Liz, she left already. It was her first day, I didn’t want to work her to death yet.”
Lucky blushed. “What makes you think I’m looking for her? Why can’t I just be here to see my favorite Aunt?”
Bobbie chuckled. “Nice try, Lucky, but I’m not buying it. Anyway, if you were here to see me, you wouldn’t have just asked why I was still here. You’re slipping, you know. You used to be much better at that lying thing! Your father would be so ashamed.”
Lucky rolled his eyes. “Very funny. Fine, you got me, I was looking for her. Do you know where she went?” He was trying to act casual, but Bobbie was a Spencer, and she could see right through him.
“Sorry, honey, I don’t. Why don’t you try her house? She’s living with her grandmother, Audrey Hardy. She seemed kind of tired, she probably just went home.”
Lucky stood up and shook his head. “No, I don’t want to bother her at home. I’m just going to go to the mall for a while. Father’s Day is coming up. I should start looking for something. You know how hard it is to buy stuff for Dad!”
“Tell me about it! Just get him some cigars, though. That’s probably all he wants anyway!”
He thanked her and left the diner, heading for the mall. It was late in the day, so it wasn’t too crowded, which was fine with him. After checking a few stores and not getting anywhere with the gift ideas, he decided to go home. It was almost dinner time anyway, and his mother had a thing about being late for dinner.
As he was walking past one of the department stores, he heard a familiar voice and turned around. There, coming out of the store, was Audrey and Elizabeth! He smiled at his luck and walked up to them.
“Hey, Elizabeth,” he greeted.
“Lucky! What are you doing here?” Liz asked, her face breaking out into a huge smile.
He shrugged. “Looking for something for my Dad. Father’s Day is only a few weeks away, and he’s impossible to shop for. How about you?”
She held up a garment bag. “Alexis invited me to dinner with her and Ned tomorrow night, and I needed a dress. Gram was nice enough to take me shopping.” She smiled at Audrey, then turned back to Lucky.
Hey little brother! Lucky heard and whirled around to see Nikolas coming up behind him. He grinned and shook his head. “I never thought I’d see a Cassidine in a mall! What are you doing here?”
“How did you know he was there?” Liz asked. Nikolas had been pretty far away when Lucky turned around. He hadn’t said anything, and there’s no way he could have heard his footsteps yet.
Lucky shrugged. “I can smell a Cassidine a mile away.”
Nikolas smacked him lightly as he joined the small group. “Very funny, Lucky. Hello, Elizabeth, Mrs. Hardy.”
Liz and Audrey both greeted him, and Lucky turned to him and grinned. “So, why are you here? You never shop at the mall!”
“I wanted to get something for Lulu, and her favorite toy store is here. Is that all right with you?” he asked sarcastically.
Lucky chuckled and nodded. “Fine with me, as long as I’m still her favorite brother. You spoil her too much, you know that?”
“Maybe, but I’m not around as much as you are. I’ve got to do something to compete, right?”
Liz cleared her throat to get their attention. “Listen guys, it was good seeing both of you again, but we have to get going. I’ll see you around.” She smiled and walked away with Audrey.
Stop drooling, Nikolas said, laughing at the way his brother was watching her leave.
Lucky whirled around and glared at him. I am not drooling! I was just watching her, that’s all.
More like studying. If you like her so much, why don’t you just ask her out?
Lucky shook his head. No, I just met her. I don’t want to freak her out.
I doubt that would happen. Anyway, I’ve seen the way she smiles at you. I’m sure she’d say yes.
“Really?” Lucky asked, realizing that no one else was around anymore, making it unnecessary for them to be communicating telepathically. “You think so?”
Nikolas shrugged, walking to the front doors. “I’m not guaranteeing anything, but yeah, she seems to like you.”
Lucky grinned and followed Nikolas out of the mall. “Cool. Maybe I will, then.”
Graphics Courtesy Of:
