Page 56 of Rival Season
My eyebrows shoot up. “The whole team? That sounds like the opposite of low key.”
Ally chuckles. “Nah, we just need to make sure we buy enough drinks. Fisher gave me his spare credit card before he left.” She waggles her eyebrows. “You’ll have to show your ID for the alcohol, though; I’m not twenty-one yet.”
Sheesh, I keep forgetting how much younger Ally and the guys are than me.
“Okay, as long as I can use Fisher’s credit card, too.”
Ally smirks, driving forward again once the light turns green.
Just a few minutes later, we pull into the parking lot of a party store I’d never noticed before.Probably because I never throw parties.
“This is us,” Ally announces, parking the car and turning the vehicle off. She turns toward me in her seat. “Hopefully this store has something good. Any ideas for a theme?”
I worry my bottom lip as I think, but I come up short on ideas. “Hockey?”
“Original.” She laughs.
Ten minutes later we’re inside the store pushing an empty cart through the aisles, and it hits me that I don’t even knowwhat my supposed boyfriend likes. What’s his favorite color, favorite show, favorite food? No clue.
We’re almost finished roaming through every aisle when we get to the very last one, with plates and decor for different travel destinations. I spy a Canadian flag, and my head swivels slowly to grin at Ally. I can tell by the twinkle in her eye that she’s thinking the same thing I am.
“Canada theme.”
Ally rolls her lips inside her mouth and nods with her eyes closed, making me laugh. We grab everything the party store has, including a headband that looks like moose ears, maple-leaf printed plates and napkins, red cups and matching utensils, and a candle that looks like a bottle of maple syrup.
“He’s going to love this,” Ally says with a squeal.
“We could create a signature birthday cocktail that looks like maple syrup.”
“You’re a genius.”
We both burst into manic giggles as we pile the cart high.
Our next stop is the liquor store, where we put another dent in Fisher’s credit card bill. We purchase the basics—tequila, beer, and a few bottles of wine. Then, I find a recipe on Pinterest for Penn’s birthday cocktail that includes a shot of maple syrup.
Once we’ve loaded our haul inside the trunk of the car, I notice a thrift store I’ve never been to right by the liquor store.
“Hey, do you mind if I look around?” I ask Ally, pointing in the direction of the plain white building. “Maybe they’ll have some more random Canadian stuff.”
“Yeah, let’s go!” Ally says, locking her car and linking her arm with mine.
The door chimes when we walk inside, and a girl, probably around sixteen, greets us with a smile. “Welcome to Odds and Ends! My mom’s in the back, but I can also help you with anything you need.”
“Thank you,” I call back to her. The inside of the shop is cozy and much cuter than it looks on the outside. The walls are painted light purple and there are gold sconces lighting the large room. I turn and get distracted from my Canada-themed-hunting when a gorgeous leather bomber jacket on a mannequin catches my attention. “This is beautiful," I say, running my hand down the sleeve.
“It looks like you! You have to get it,” Ally says, coming to stand by my side. She finds the tag and her eyes widen. “It’s only fifty dollars!”
“That’s a steal.” I slide the jacket off the mannequin to take a better look. The stitching looks great, there aren’t any holes, and the fabric is in excellent condition. I always stick to my budget, and this wouldn’t be an expense I’d usually splurge on…but I’ve been looking for something like it. I fold it over my arm with a smile. “I’ll hang on to it for now.”
Ally nods. “I hope you get it.” Ally’s eyes are pulled away from me to a sign that saysdresses. She crosses the aisle to look through the dresses, and I follow.
Rummaging through the rack, I wait for something to grab my eye, maybe a jumper or skirt. But my head whips toward my friend when she gasps.
“Oh my, Hazel! You have to try this on.” Ally holds up a skimpy dress that’s red and glittery. It’s something I’d never wear in a million years.
“Uh, wow. That’s sexy.”
“And red!” She grins. “Perfect for Penn’s Canada theme party.”
