14
Moira
Ana rang Moira’sdoorbell precisely at seven. Moira swung the mahogany door open and greeted her friend with a warysmile.
“Thank you for coming to my rescue on such short notice. Mrs. Oliveira had to go on an unexpected trip, so she couldn’t babysit forme.”
“Not a problem. I’m so thrilled for you and Aidan. Plus, I always have a great time with Dani andFelipe.”
“Speaking of which,” Moira raised her voice to be heard over the raucous of her kids rushing to the livingroom.
“Auntie Ana.” Felipe screeched, encircling Ana’s thigh with his chubby arms. He didn’t reach much higher thanthat.
“We’ve got a new console. Would you like to see it? Could you play with us?” Dani pretended she was cool, she was getting into that precocious tween phase. Moira knew her daughter better than to fall for that act. Dani’s dark green eyes sparkled under the dim lights of the living room, and Moira would bet the console was responsible for only a fraction of thatgleam.
Ana hugged Felipe and kissed Dani’s upturned cheek. “Only if the game doesn’t involve killing, stealing, orcheating.”
Felipe smiled. “Don’t worry. Mom doesn’t get us any cool games likethat.”
Ana laughed out loud. “Your mom is wise.” She winked at Moira before returning her focus on the kids. “We’ll have all night toplay.”
“Ana!”
Moira’s voice got muffled by her kids’whoops.
“I mean, we’ll play until bed time,” Ana corrected her statement with a theatrical wink meant for the kids. “But first, I need to save your mom from herself, so why don’t you two go ahead and set up everything. I’ll join you in ajiffy.”
Sister and brother accepted the suggestion, but Dani halted a few steps away and asked over her shoulder, “Which game should we set up,Auntie?”
“Whichever is your favorite. I trustyou.”
A bright smile was the girl’s answer before she knelt in front of the entertainment unit and began to shuffle through their collection of videogames to pickone.
Moira returned her focus to Ana. “You’re great withkids.”
Ana flushed, a brief shadow made her grin flicker. “Good thing I’ve chosen to be a teacher,huh?”
“No doubt about that. But, what did you mean when you said you had to save me frommyself?”
Ana’s hand swept the air in front of Moira. “This. You didn’t intend to go out wearing this,right?”
Moira bent her head and surveyed the yellow summery dress that fell to her shin, the flounce in its hemline gave the loose fit an enticing finish, and a flowing effect when she walked. The spaghetti straps, bejeweled with tiny strass, held the embroidered bodice and glinted with Moira’s movements. She hadn’t put on the shoes she had picked. With their six inches plus platform, the golden beauties would make her short legs seem longer and her butt sway with eachstep.
“I intended to, actually. Not so sure now.” Moira glanced at the tiny face of her watch. Thirty minutes until Aidan picked her up. “Damn it, Ana. I don’t havetime.”
Ana grabbed her hand and pulled her down the corridor toward Moira’s room. “Your makeup is on point. I wish I could get mine that perfect.Kudos.”
“Thanks,” Moira reluctantly offered, as Ana shoved her down and she sat on her ownbed.
“I also like that you applied neutral colors. It’ll make it easier to choose an outfit for you.” Ana’s voice sounded from inside Moira’scloset.
“Please, don’t be shy. Go ahead and plunder my things.” Moira muttered as dresses, pants, and blouses began to fly through the air and land on and around herbed.
“Don’t be cute,” Ana retorted, as she hurled Moira’s clothes. “This is for your own benefit.” When she emerged from the closet, she rested her hands on her hips and took in the disaster zone she had created. “Don’t panic, Little Miss OCD. I’ll put everything back.Promise.”
Moira arched her eyebrows and sighed. Choosing her battle, she focused on the urgent matter. “You’ve got twentyminutes.”
“More than enough to make you shine. We need something that will flaunter your many assets and hide those tiny pesky things that needimproving.”
