Best Foot Forward Read online

  “You shouldn’t try to look like someone else.”

  “I could never look like her—she was even taller than you are. Come on, I need this. It’ll be a fresh start.”

  Olivia groaned. “Fine, I’ll help. But I’m doing it under duress.” She stood and offered Grace a hand up. “Come on, Sister—let’s get some hair color and turn you into a blond bombshell.”

  Laughter exploded from the front door as it opened. “Hey Grace. Hey Olivia,” said Hannah as she bounced into the room. “Claire and I just rented Holiday. Want to watch with us?”

  “Olivia’s going to color my hair,” said Grace.

  “I can help,” said Claire. “I helped Jessica put highlights in her hair last month. I know all about hair color.”

  “We can do your hair while we watch the movie upstairs,” said Hannah. “And you can tell us about breaking up with Brad.”

  “How do you know about it?” asked Grace, with an accusing glance toward Olivia.

  “I didn’t say a word,” Olivia declared, lifting her chin.

  “Spencer told me,” said Hannah. “We had lunch at Papa’s Place today.”

  “Why wouldn’t you tell us, anyway? You always tell us when you break up,” Claire asked.

  “I think this time is different,” said Hannah. “I think Grace is in love with Brad.”

  “No I’m not!” said Grace. “I’m the one who broke it off.”

  Claire squinted at Grace. “Why did you break up with Brad? He seemed perfect for you.”

  “Because... Because he got fresh with me,” said Grace.

  Hannah shook her head, making her auburn curls bounce. “Nope, I’m not buying it. Brad would never do that.”

  “How do you know?” asked Grace, as she felt the heat seeping into her face. She bent over to retie her tennis shoe, allowing time for her blush to fade while her face was averted.

  “He’s just not the type,” said Hannah.

  “I agree,” Olivia said. “Brad would never do that. Maybe you got fresh with Brad.”

  Grace began, “Olivia! I can’t believe—”

  “I’m just kidding! I know you didn’t do that. But I don’t think you’re telling us the truth. I think Hannah may be right, and you’re actually in love with him.” Olivia shared a smirk with the other two sisters.

  “I think I would know if I was in love with him. And why would I break up with him if that were true?” Grace couldn’t keep the shrill note out of her voice as she felt her stomach tighten. Why did people keep accusing her of being in love with Brad? It couldn’t possibly be true. She was always careful to guard her heart and keep her emotional distance when she dated.

  “That’s a really good question,” said Claire. “In fact, that’s the question I asked you. Why did you break up with him?”

  “I... There’s another guy. His name is Horatio.” Grace was wondering if she could keep this subterfuge going long enough to have an imaginary breakup with her imaginary guy before anyone insisted on meeting him.

  Hannah crossed her arms over her chest. “You gave up Brad for another guy?”

  “Why is that so hard to believe?” asked Grace.

  Hannah’s eyebrows flew up, “Are you kidding me? Brad is the sweetest guy you’ve ever dated, and he treats you like a queen. And I’ve seen him in a swimsuit.”

  “I have to agree,” said Olivia. “It’s hard to believe you met a guy who was better than Brad.”

  Grace opened her mouth to argue when her cell phone rang. The caller ID flashed Brad’s name, and her heart began to pound. She turned her back to her sisters and answered in a soft voice, “Hello?”

  “Hello Grace. I’m returning your phone call.” Brad’s voice was flat and emotionless.

  Grace glanced over her shoulder at her sisters who were eavesdropping shamelessly. She took a few steps toward the kitchen, and they followed, ignoring her glares.

  “I... I wanted to tell you... I wanted to apologize...” She heard dead silence on the other end of the phone. “Uhmm, Brad?”

  “Yes, I’m here. What are you apologizing for? Are you sorry you broke up with me? Or are you sorry for how you broke up with me? Are you sorry you’re dating someone else? Or are you sorry you ever started dating me?”

  “I’m s-sorry that... Did you get my card? Or the flowers?”

  “No Grace, I didn’t get a card or flowers. But if you want to be absolved of guilt, I forgive you.”

  “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  “Grace, hurt doesn’t even begin to describe it, but this really isn’t making it better. Why did you call me?”

  “Josh told me I should call. He said...”

  “Look Grace, I don’t really care what Josh said. You told me you’re dating another guy. Is that really true?”

  Grace grappled with her conscience. Should she confirm the fabrication by lying again? If she told the truth and admitted there was no other guy, how would she explain the lie to Brad or her nosy, actively-listening sisters? “I... No... I mean... Yes, but... Listen Brad, could we maybe just get together and talk?”

  “No Grace, I’m not the kind of guy who gets together with someone else’s girlfriend. Maybe after you break up with Horatio or the next guy or the next guy, if I’m still around, we’ll talk then.”

  And then Grace knew it was truly over. When had her goal changed from breaking up with Brad to getting him back? Why did she feel like a hole had been ripped in her chest? She tried to think of something appropriate to say—something she could say without breaking down and sobbing. “Brad...”

  “Sorry Grace, I have to go.” The line went dead—as dead as her heart.

  *****

  Olivia watched and listened as the drama unfolded over the phone. She couldn’t hear exactly what Brad was saying, but she caught the gist of it. Grace obviously regretted breaking up, but she’d realized it too late. She must have sent a card and flowers to say she was sorry, but he hadn’t accepted her apology. When the phone slipped from her fingers and Grace dissolved into tears, all three sisters moved to embrace her and cry with her.

  “We won’t ask you any more questions,” sniffed Olivia. “Let’s just go color your hair.”

  “You’ll look so good when we’re finished with you,” Claire declared. “That stupid guy will wish he’d accepted your apology when he sees how hot you are. Just you wait and see!”

  Olivia wasn’t quite as confident as her youngest sister about changing Grace’s hair color, since she’d never done it before. But what could go wrong?

  Chapter Four

  “It’s not that bad,” said Olivia as the four of them studied Grace’s hair in the bathroom mirror. Grace had the wide eyes and white face of a person in shock.

  “It’s orange,” said Grace. “I look like a carrot.”

  “It looks better orange than it did when it was green,” said Hannah. “And the highlights aren’t orange. They look kind of blond.”

  “Yeah. Maybe I should put some more highlights in.”

  “No, Claire,” Olivia said. “The highlights are already sort of crispy. I think her hair might just break off if we do anything else to it.”

  “I look like a crispy carrot.”

  “It really doesn’t look that bad,” said Olivia. “It’s just a little red, like Hannah’s.”

  Grace’s eyes moved to Hannah’s shiny auburn locks. “I’m short Olivia, but I’m not blind. My hair doesn’t look like Hannah’s. “I look like a Bozo, or Ronald McDonald’s little sister!”

  Olivia cringed at the truth in Grace’s words. What could she say to be encouraging?

  “It’s my fault,” said Grace. “I talked you into doing it. I just thought I would feel better if I had a change, but this wasn’t quite what I pictured.”

  “Maybe if you went to a beauty shop, they could fix it,” said Claire.

  “It’s almost midnight,” said Hannah. “Do you think they have an emergency clinic somewhere?”

  “I’ll just wear a sca
rf. It doesn’t matter anyway.” She slunk out of the bathroom and fell face down onto the bed, speaking into the comforter. “It’s a good thing I don’t really want Brad back, because I think my chances just went from slim to none.”

  Claire and Hannah turned questioning faces to Olivia. “Come on,” she whispered. “She needs us now more than ever.” The sisters piled around her on the bed.

  “What exactly were you apologizing to Brad for?” asked Claire.

  Olivia frowned, “Claire, I promised her we wouldn’t ask any questions.”

  “Yeah, but I didn’t promise, and I want to know,” said Claire. “I thought she’d be in a good mood after we did her hair, and she’d want to talk about it. But there’s no chance of that now, so I’m just going to beg until she gives in.”

  “There’s nothing to tell,” said Grace as she rolled to face the ceiling. “I broke up with him and told him about Horatio.”

  “But you changed your mind, right?” said Hannah. “Isn’t that why you wanted to talk to him?”

  “It’s a moot point,” said Grace. “He doesn’t want to talk to me.”

  Hannah said, “With your new hair, you could talk to him and he won’t even know it’s you.”

  Grace looked like she might burst into tears, but instead she started chuckling. “Maybe I could go to the emergency room and tell him I stuck my finger in a light socket.”

  Olivia tried to suppress a laugh, but when Claire snorted, they all lost it. They laughed until they had tears running down their faces. Olivia caught her breath and said, “For Halloween, you and Brad could go as Pebbles and Bam Bam.”

  Grace said, “I was thinking I looked like one of those troll dolls.”

  Claire snorted again, and when they broke up laughing there was a knock on the door.

  “What’s going on in here?” asked their mother, Connie, as she stuck her head in the room. “Why are you all up so late on a Thursday night?” Then her eyes fell on Grace. “Good Lord! What happened to your hair?”

  The girls laughed so hard they couldn’t catch their breath, until Connie stood before them with her hands on her hips. Grace sat up on the bed and fingered her hair gingerly. “I was supposed to get a blond bombshell look, but I accidentally got the Agent Orange bombshell look.”

  “Oh Grace.” Connie’s face was aghast. “Why would you do that to your beautiful hair?”

  Olivia said, “It’s no worse than when she tried to give herself a haircut.”

  “You’re right,” Connie agreed. “It’s only just gotten back down to her shoulders after that fiasco.”

  “Remember the time she had orange streaks all over from that self-tanning spray?” said Claire. “At least this time it’s only her hair that’s orange.”

  “Yeah, and I still remember when she tried that straightener that got so hot it singed part of her hair off,” said Hannah.

  “That was right before she gave herself the bad haircut,” said Olivia.

  “That’s enough,” chuckled Grace. “At least this time all of you get to share the blame with me. You all helped.”

  Olivia said, “Only because we felt so sorry for you because you broke up with Brad and now you regret it.”

  “You broke up with Brad?” asked Connie. “Why would you do that? He was—”

  “Please Mom, I’ve already figured out it wasn’t my brightest move.”

  “She’s dating some guy named Horatio,” said Hannah. “He’s not as cute as Brad.”

  “How do you know he’s not as cute as Brad?” said Grace. “You’ve never seen him.”

  Hannah grinned. “But I’ve seen Brad. If you don’t want him, I’ll take him. He’s adorable.”

  “I have to admit I really liked Brad,” Connie said as her eyebrows knitted together. “He’s the nicest boy you’ve ever dated.”

  Olivia could tell Grace’s emotions were teetering on the edge. “I’m sure everything will work out fine, Grace. You do crazy stuff all the time, but you always land on your feet. And we all love you.”

  She gave her a hug and Claire wrapped her arm around the other shoulder. “We love you, orange hair and all.”

  Connie grimaced. “I’m sure we’ll get used to your new look.”

  *****

  Brad was in a foul mood when he came home from his shift in the ER. He’d let his temper get the better of him when he’d returned Grace’s call. She’d held out an olive branch, and he’d burned it. At the time it had felt good—to hurt her like she’d hurt him. But now he regretted his harsh attitude. He’d cut her off, and he might not get another opportunity.

  “Did Grace call you?” Josh had found him in the kitchen.

  “Yes Josh. She called at your request, as I understand it. And I’ll thank you to stay out of it.” Brad grabbed a water bottle and retreated from his roommate, joining his brother on the couch.

  Undeterred, Josh followed him and settled into a chair. “Did you talk to her? Did she tell you about the flowers and the card?”

  “It’s really none of your business,” Brad retorted.

  “Grace sent you flowers?” Ben asked. “So you’re back together?”

  “No, we’re not together. She’s dating someone else.” The words tasted bitter in Brad’s mouth.

  Ben said, “Then why did she send flowers?”

  “I don’t even know for sure if she sent them. She claims she did, but who knows? As long as she’s dating someone else, it doesn’t really matter.”

  “She brought flowers and a card Tuesday morning,” Josh said. “But she had to leave them with some nurse. It’s not her fault they got lost at the hospital.”

  “If she really brought them,” Brad muttered. He thought it was quite possible she’d made up the story.

  “So you’re done with Grace? You’re not even willing to talk to her? You don’t ever want to date her again?” Ben’s voice sounded a little too eager when he asked the questions. Once again Brad lamented the fact Ben would spend Friday evening with Grace.

  “Didn’t you hear me? She’s dating someone else.”

  “Who is this other guy?” Ben asked.

  Josh jumped in. “His name’s Horatio, but I’m sure she’s not serious about this new guy.”

  “Horatio, huh?” Ben smirked. “I bet I could get her to drop Horatio and go out with me.”

  Brad felt steam building inside his head. “You leave her alone.”

  “Look, you don’t seem to feel you’re capable of winning her back from this Horatio guy, or else you just don’t want to bother trying. But if you don’t want her anymore, why shouldn’t I ask her out?”

  “Out of respect for me—that’s why. You’re my brother!”

  “I know I’m your brother. I’m doing this for you.”

  “How would it benefit me if you dated my girlfriend?”

  “Grace isn’t your girlfriend anymore—you won’t even talk to her. But at least if she’s with me you might get to see her on occasion. And if we got married someday, your nieces and nephews would probably look a lot like your kids would have looked if you’d married her. Wouldn’t that be nice for you?”

  Brad was ninety percent sure Ben was simply egging him on, as was his nature, although his face never hinted he was teasing. But that ten percent uncertainty made his blood boil. “You don’t have my permission to date Grace.”

  “I’m not sure you can have it both ways.” Josh upended a bottle of water, swallowing until it was empty.

  Brad attempted to burn him with a harsh gaze, though, if his impenitent grin was any indication, Josh was enjoying Brad’s discomfort. “I’m just saying you can’t date Kara and claim Grace as your girlfriend.”

  “I’m not dating Kara—I’m just going to a baseball game with her.”

  Josh shrugged. “I’m not sure Kara sees it that way, according to what she told me today.”

  “And I’m not sure that’s how Grace will see it, either.” Ben lifted his arms, locking his fingers behind his head.

 
If I move fast, I could punch him in the gut.

  “Grace doesn’t know I’m going to the baseball game with Kara, and she doesn’t need to know. It’s not a date—I’m certainly not planning to kiss her.”

  “According to the rules, it’s a date because she bought your ticket,” said Josh.

  “What rules?” asked Ben.

  Josh explained, “It’s the Best Dating Rules—Emily and Charlie Best’s rules. But the Marshall Sisters have adopted the rules, so they apply in this case.”

  “I’m going to pay her back for the ticket,” said Brad. “So it’s not a date.”

  Ben pulled his arms down, folding them across his chest, probably sensing Brad wanted to use him for a punching bag. “Still, I think it’s only fair I should get a shot at Grace, so—”

  Brad lunged up from the couch before he lost all control. He stood glaring at his brother with clenched fists. “If you make a move on Grace, I’ll rip your other shoulder out of its socket.” Ben’s only response was a slow smile. Brad stomped into his room and slammed his door. For the first time, he understood why Cain killed Able.

  *****

  Horatio loved Ms. Marshall’s new hair—she looked just like his favorite singer. “Ms. Marshall, I got you something, just like I promised.” He stood as close as he could get, pushing Jeffrey out of the way.

  “Oh Horatio, I told you not to spend your money on me. I’m not allowed to accept gifts from my students.”

  “But you took the cookies my mom sent.”

  “Yes, but that was a gift from your mother,” she explained.

  He had to get her to take his present—then they would be engaged. “It’s from my mom, but I picked it out.”

  “Are you sure you didn’t spend your tooth money on this present?”

  “No ma’am. My mom bought it for you.”

  She opened the little box and her mouth formed an ‘O’ at the beautiful diamond ring. “Your mom bought this for me?” she asked, narrowing her eyes. “It seems like an unusual gift from a mother.”

  Grace picked up the ring and examined it. The lightweight plastic ring with the gold-colored split band looked amazingly real at first glance. She peeked at Horatio’s anxious face as he watched her reaction. She knew this present hadn’t come from his mother, but she couldn’t very well accuse him of lying.