Riley stared at him, wondering at the flush on his face. “Thosepeople?” Had she heardthatexpression more than a few times in her life. Maybe that’s why Maya had run away.
Connie nodded. “Those freeloading cart vendors who don’t bother getting permits for the festival. They ruin things for everyone, especially for the food trucks. The people who pay end up having to hike their rates to break even, while the interlopers undercut them and steal legitimate business. It’s ridiculous to see them here after they’ve been warned repeatedly to leave. I’m going to have to find David and talk with him about this.”
“My mom is one of the benefactors of the festival,” Dex said to Riley. “She’s a little fiery about the subject.”
“You’re darned right.” Connie glared at him. “Bad enough my own son is frequenting those illegals. Eat a gyro for heaven’s sake. It won’t kill you.”
“But those fish tacos are—ah, you’re right. My bad.”
“Selena and I were talking and she spotted one of them in the food section, so brazen they don’t even keep to the edges of the festival anymore.”
“Selena?” Dex frowned. “Why were you talking to her anyway?”
“Her father is also one of the board members. And that girl understands. Said they were tribal and like ants. A bit confusing, but I guess they do organize.” Connie nodded.
Didn’t Maya say she had gone to look for Dex at the food vendors, and had run into Selena, who Connie had been…
Riley kicked ass when it came to murder mystery games and now, putting the pieces together, she wanted to bolt after her friend. It sounded as if Connie’s comments might have been taken out of context, no doubt helped along by Selena.
“So no idea where Maya might have gone?” Dex asked her again, and she realized his mother watched her with curiosity.
“She was tired,” Riley lied. “Felt a little under the weather. She gets over-excited about these events, so I’m filling in. She said she’d be back to see you tomorrow, though.”
His face fell. “Oh. Okay. I was going to invite her to dinner with us.” He hugged his mom.
Riley smiled at the cute picture they made. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to go another time.” The two left after buying a few of Maya’s high-end pieces, but not fast enough for her liking. The moment they departed, Riley frantically texted Maya to call her, to tell her overemotional friend there had been a misunderstanding. Trust Maya to blow something like this out of proportion.
Ann showed up with Jack in tow, and Riley explained to them what might have happened.
“Oh boy. I was afraid she’d end up in a mess like this.”
“Like this?” Jack asked.
Ann nodded. “Maya and Riley have dealt with prejudice for a long time.”
Jack sighed. “Bend is a pretty white town. I get you.”
“Even though we’re lumped in with progressive Portland and Seattle, this place can be a bit redneck,” Ann added. “If Maya’s scared of where this thing with Dex is going, my bet is she’ll pull the plug before he can.”
Jack snorted. “Then she’s in for a surprise. Dex has been hot for Maya forever. No way in hell he’s giving her up over a misunderstanding. And sure as hell not because of Selena ‘man-eater’ Thorpe.”
Riley slumped back in Maya’s seat. “I don’t suppose you guys would help me watch her stuff, would you?”
“Sure.” Jack agreed before Ann could.
“And that’s why I love you, Jack.” Riley wished she could find someone like Jack, or even Dex. “For Ann, you’d help out her mouthy friend. And by mouthy, I mean Maya.”
He smiled. “Of course you do. You’re the sexy cook. Maya’s mouthy, and Ann’s the brainy one.”
Ann pouted. “I thought I was sexy.”
“You are, honey.” Over her head, he mouthed to Riley,“She can’t cook.”
“I heard that.”
Riley laughed with them, pleased that at least one of her friends had a happy future mapped out for her. She just prayed Maya read her messages before she ruined the best thing to happen in her life since the three of them had formed the Terrible Trio.
Chapter Thirteen
