“I’m trying not to,” she mumbled. Ria felt bad that she didn’t have the courage to shift. “I’ll try,” she finally said, then wondered why she’d said she would.
“I don’t know.”
The bell jingled.
A reprieve, although Ria had a feeling it would only be temporary. Shintara had once kept her up all night because she’d wanted to talk about something that bothered her. She only hoped she didn’t decide to do that again.
Ria laid the brush down and escorted Sir Otis out. She didn’t bother with a kerchief. Sir Otis ate everything. He was only a couple of years old and still playful, mischievous, and into everything. She did give him a dog cookie, which he practically swallowed whole. The dog and his owner left a few minutes later.
She was alone again, and with enough time until her next appointment to wonder what in the world she was going to do. It was one thing to be part alien, and another thing to go live on an alien planet.
Chapter 19
Ria was glad she had made Carly go shopping. They both needed today. Carly needed it so she would know that they were still best friends, and Ria so that she could get her head screwed on straight.
Sure, Ria could probably start her own business on New Symtaria. What better place to have an animal grooming shop than on a planet where everyone shifted into animals? She could make a fortune.
Her only problem would be getting a loan. Their small town bank was progressive, but she was pretty sure her loan officer would consider it high risk. What would happen if she defaulted? They certainly couldn’t foreclose.
And even though Kristor had told Ria she was a princess, she was almost certain it would turn out to be an empty title. It wasn’t likely that she had a castle and a trunkful of gold. No, she was much better off right where she was.
“You’re miles away,” Carly said.
Startled, Ria looked around. She remembered she was waiting for Carly to try on an outfit that Ria had to practically force on her.
Ria smiled. “More like a zillion miles.” When Carly looked confused, Ria laughed. Then she got a good look at her friend.
“Wow!” The snug black jeans rode low on Carly’s hips and the white top hugged her curves, veeing low in front to show the swell of her breasts and short enough that her belly button winked.
Carly blushed. “Wow? Really?”
“Oh, yeah. Really wow.”
Carly turned and faced the mirror, then blinked. “Good Lord,” she breathed. “Ria, I look…so different. This isn’t me. I feel as though I’m looking at someone I’ve never met.”
Ria walked up behind her. “You look sexy as hell. This is the woman you should’ve met a long time ago. I’ve been trying to get you to dress like this for years, but all you ever wear are dull brown clothes. You remind me of a little mouse.”
“But my brothers would kill me if they saw me dressed like this.”
“Because they have some mistaken idea that you should be forever pure. Look at the women they date, for pity’s sake. They wear a lot less than what you’re wearing right now.”
“You’re right, they do. And my brothers all act like idiots when they come around. Maybe I should stop caring about what they think.”
“That’s the attitude! Finally!”
Carly turned to the side and ran her hands over the top, tugging at the hem. “I look so tall, though. Someone like me shouldn’t wear heels.”
“Neil is tall.”
She frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“You like him, but you don’t feel confident around him. When he sees you dressed like this, believe me, his eyes will pop.”
Carly’s shoulders slumped. “You’re just saying that because you’re my friend.” She turned to the other side. “I don’t know, I’m just not sure about this new look.”
Was she blind? Apparently. Ria looked around, and spotted a couple of hotties in business suits walking down the sidewalk. She dragged Carly over to the window.
“What are you doing?”
“A test.” She knocked on the window. The men stopped and looked at her. Ria pulled Carly from behind, waving her hand in front of her.
One guy grinned. The other rushed toward the door.
“Ria, what have you done?”
Oops. She hadn’t expected quite this kind of reaction. The guy opened the door and rushed over, sliding to a stop on the tiled floor.
“Can I have your phone number? I mean, was that some new way to ask a guy out? It worked.” He grinned.
Carly stepped closer and whispered, “Do something, Ria.”
“Actually, uh, my friend wanted a man’s opinion to see if her husband might like what she has on.”
His face fell. “Oh, you’re married.” He brightened. “Ever wanted to have an affair?”
“No,” Carly said over Ria’s shoulder.
“Opinion?” Ria asked again.
He grinned and Ria wondered if she shouldn’t at least get the guy’s number for Carly, but then thought about the wishful look she’d seen in Neil’s eyes. No, that wouldn’t be right, and she wouldn’t do that to him.
“Hot. If she models that in front of her husband, expect to be in bed in under ten.” He turned his attention to Ria.
“We’re both married,” she quickly told him.
“Just my luck.” He smiled once more, winked, then joined his friend on the sidewalk.
“I can’t believe you just did that,” Carly said.
“I was tired of you not believing me. Now, will you buy the outfit?”
Carly walked back over to the mirror and looked at herself from all angles. “I always thought I was too tall.”
“I’d kill for legs like yours.”
“And Neil will like this look?”
“Oh, yeah.”
Carly took a deep breath. “Then I’ll buy it.”
When Carly went into the cubicle to change back to her street clothes, Ria came to a decision and made a call. This was not distancing herself from Kristor, but she needed his help. They talked for a few minutes. She was just saying good-bye when Carly stepped back out.
“Mom.” Ria smiled and waved the cell before dropping it back into her purse. A small lie, but it was for a worthy cause.
They shopped some more, then chose a tea room for lunch. The frilly atmosphere was the perfect place. There were white Christmas lights draped through a grapevine edging the ceiling, rather than molding, and around fake trees. The tables were covered with red cloths with little bouquets of dried roses, and the room smelled like sweet potpourri.
The waitress showed them to a corner table beneath an alcove, then gave them a couple of menus. After she left, Ria inhaled. “Ginger spice. Isn’t it wonderful?”
“We haven’t been here in a long time,” Carly said. “It’s very relaxing.”
