Too easy.
Yes, maybe most of the males over the age of twelve who Allie had encountered since she was thirteen years old had shown signs of being attracted to her in one way or another. Perhaps Miss Bitty was right and she was more attractive than she thought, because her looks had always gotten her male attention. It didn’t matter who the guys were: single, in a committed relationship, married, divorced, widowed, if they were fathers, grandfathers, Bible thumpers or atheists. She always noticed the lingering looks, the double-and triple-takes. Some didn’t bother to hide it. Some tried unsuccessfully. They flirted, ogled, and, in the last couple of years, many had even paid for dates.
But Hannah was a different creature altogether. First of all, she didn’t have to work hard at concealing anything or faking it. Hannah was the real thing. And it didn’t take a rocket scientist to see that everyone at the table realized it.
Jealousy had Allie’s stomach twisted into knots. Jealousy of Hannah’s popularity with her new family. Of Hannah liking Bitty so much. Of Bitty liking her. Of Big Joe salivating over Hannah. Of Allie being less popular. Of Allie never being popular.
Of being destined to be a loser . . . and all alone again.
Swallowing hard, she glowered at Hannah from across the table and realized how much she both hated and admired the girl’s beauty. She had to admit, as much as she didn’t like the attention Hannah was getting, it was really difficult to take her eyes off of her. Just something I’ll try not to hate you for, she thought, staring at her new friend. And you will never, and I mean NEVER, eat at this table again. Not if I have anything to do with it.
“I wish I could be homeschooled,” Hannah was telling Miss Bitty, her voice practically dripping with honey. “Especially if my house was as nice and cozy as yours, Miss Bitty.”
That was another thing that was angering Allie. Dinner had started only fifteen minutes ago and already Hannah had complimented Bitty more times than she could count. Why was she working so hard to kiss up to the old woman?
Even more disgusting, Big Joe was at the end of the table hanging on to every word the girl was saying.
“Well, Allie’s in good hands with Louis,” Miss Bitty said, smiling at Hannah. “We were fortunate he had the time to tutor her.”
Hannah turned to Louis and smiled demurely. “Hey, maybe you can homeschool me, too. I can talk to my stepdad. He might totally go for it.”
Like hell he would. Allie’s grip on her glass tightened. Louis was hers. Miss Bitty was hers. Even Big Joe: HERS.
Yes, they were a motley bunch and certainly not a textbook family, but they were all she had. The only real home and stability she’d ever known—and, if she had to, she would fight tooth and nail to keep them.
“My schedule is pretty full right now,” Louis said. “But if you want me to I can give you the names of a couple of colleagues of mine. I’d be happy to.”
Hannah’s face fell and she poked out a plump lower lip. “Aw, okay.”
“So Miss Bitty says you’re from California. What part?” Big Joe asked.
Hannah’s face brightened. “The Valley.”
“Aw, the Valley,” Big Joe said, smiling. “I have fond memories of that area. I live in Santa Monica now, but I do business out there sometimes.”
“If you live in California, why are you here?”
Big Joe pointed at Miss Bitty. “She’s whipping me into shape. I was pretty healthy when I was young, then this happened,” he said, motioning to his stomach.
“Wow, you came all the way out here to lose weight?”
“They say she’s the best. Besides, we go way back.”
“We do,” Miss Bitty said. “In fact, Louis is from California, too.”
Hannah’s eyes lit up. “Really? Wow, that’s wild! I’ve probably met more Californians here than Louisianans.”
Allie wondered if anyone would notice if she got up and went to her room. Yeah, probably not, she thought, clenching her jaw.
Hannah turned back to Miss Bitty. “If you need any help around here, let me know. I’m serious. I want to go into the wellness industry, too, and would love to study under someone like you.”
Allie scowled. Go ahead and pop some pills—and quit acting like such a freaking Girl Scout.
Bitty smiled. “Thank you, Hannah. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”
Allie’s throat was so dry, she couldn’t get food down it. She glanced at Louis and caught him studying her. “You okay?” he asked. “You look a little flushed.” It was the only time anyone had addressed her during the whole dinner.
Allie glared at him.
Suddenly all eyes were on her. But not in the way she’d hoped. She jumped a little and her foot landed hard on Piglet’s tail. The animal yelped.
“Oh, God, sorry,” she said, watching the little dog bolt out of the room.
Big Joe, oblivious to Allie’s dark mood, turned to her and smiled. “Well, Allie. I’m glad to see you’ve made such a nice friend here. Hannah seems beautiful both inside and out.”
Enough! Allie threw her napkin into her plate. “Really. Could you be more of a perv, Joe?” she spat.
The smile slipped off Joe’s face.
“Allie!” Miss Bitty scolded.
Chair legs screeched loudly against the hardwood floor as Allie shot up and headed for the living room.
“Where are you going?” Miss Bitty called.
“Some place where I can throw up.”
Back in her room, Allie lay on her bed and stroked Piglet’s small back. She knew she was behaving like a child.
Great, she thought. After all the hard work she’d been doing, she had to make a fool out of herself. The new Allie would’ve definitely kept her cool. But in all honesty, she only half cared. Her brain wasn’t ready to listen to logic.
She was still seeing green.
The door opened and Hannah poked her disgustingly beautiful face inside. “Is everything alright? Did I do something to make you mad?”