Free First Date by Melody Carlson Page B

would be wrong with that? She knew of lots of perfectly happy interracial couples. Why should anyone limit themselves to their own ethnic group? Wouldn’t that make this world a totally boring place?

7
    D evon was actually glad to go to school on Monday. Not only did her best friend look like a completely new person, but it felt like all the girls were excited about the DG. They’d been texting back and forth over the weekend, and it seemed that each girl wanted to do her part to make this club succeed. Well, except maybe for Cassidy. She sometimes seemed like she was dragging her heels.
    “That’s just the way she is,” Emma told Devon as they walked toward school together. “She’s kind of a worrywart, you know, a glass half empty instead of half full kind of girl. But I know she’s really interested in Lane Granger, and since I’m willing to work on him for her, I’m guessing she’ll do her part for the DG.”
    “Bryn texted me last night that she’s been having a conversation with Harris on Facebook.”
    “For you?” Emma sounded concerned.
    “Of course it’s for me.” Devon tried not to look offended. “Who else?”
    Emma shrugged. “I don’t know.”
    “Are you saying Bryn’s not trustworthy?”
    “No, of course not.” Emma shook her head. “It’s just that this is all kind of tricky. I mean, how do we keep track of which girl is working on which guy . . . for which girl?”
    Devon laughed. “Well, I made a chart last night. I’ll show it to the club at lunch. The only girl not actively working on a guy right now is Cassidy.”
    “Does that mean someone else is going to be left out?” Emma pushed open the door.
    “No, because Bryn is actually working on two guys. Harris for me, and Kent for Abby. But it was her idea. She offered.”
    “So Cassidy is getting off easy.”
    “Not too easy.” Devon smiled. “I have plans for her.”
    “Speaking of your plans,” Emma said quietly. “You won’t go overboard on Isaac, will you? I don’t think he’s the kind of guy you can push around, and I’m worried he’ll know what you’re up to and—”
    “Emma.” Devon stopped walking and turned to look into Emma’s eyes. “Do you trust me or not?”
    “I, uh, I’m not sure. I mean, yeah, I trust you. But you don’t really know Isaac that well . . . and I’m worried he’ll be suspicious and—”
    “I know what I’m doing, Emma. Just trust me. Okay?”
    Emma nodded, but she still looked uneasy.
    “It’s not like I’m going to twist his arm or threaten him within inches of his life,” Devon told her as they went to their lockers. “Seriously, Em, he’s not even going to know I’m working on him.”
    “If you say so,” Emma mumbled.
    Devon stopped in front of her locker, turning again to look at Emma. Why was she acting so paranoid now? “Look, Emma, you’re my best friend. I won’t sabotage this for you.” She smiled. “Did you look at yourself in the mirror this morning?”
    Emma barely nodded, glancing around in a nervous and self-conscious way.
    “You look stunning. If I was going to sabotage you, would I have helped you to get that makeover?”
    “No, that’s not what I’m worried about.”
    “Then stop worrying.” Devon poked her in the arm. “And stand up straight. Hold your head high. Don’t go around acting like you still want to blend in with the walls. You look gorgeous now. Act like it.”
    Emma looked embarrassed now. “Really? Gorgeous?”
    “You’ll see.” Devon shoved some books into her locker and closed it. “Come on, let’s go see how the others react.”
    Soon they found Abby, and she was blown away by Emma’s new look. “You are looking good,” Abby told her. “Really hot.”
    Emma smiled. “Thanks.”
    “See.” Devon waved over to Cassidy and Bryn, who were just coming into the locker bay.
    “Wow—Emma.” Cassidy was suitably impressed. “Look at you.”
    Emma stood a little taller now.
    “What happened?” Cassidy