Free The Price of a Gift (The Price of Secrets Series) by Ashley Drake

tell she was a little serious.
    "Oh please. You're gorgeous. All four of us are." Jaycee added, "Do you think I would be friends with you guys if you weren't?" Jaycee is a strong person and never wants you to forget it, but she is also loving, caring, and loyal. She puts on the act, but she has a huge heart. And she would pull off my arm and beat me with it if I told anyone that. "We will get you a push up bikini top and make sure the top and bottom are horizontal stripes. And there you go, instant curves. I think you should go classic blue and white AND get white sunglasses, no red. With red flip flops." Did I mention Jaycee loves fashion?
    Kayla looked a little overwhelmed. "That sounds pricey."
    Jaycee was way ahead of her. "I have red sunglasses and flip flops you can borrow. The shoes might be a little big but they will work."
    "If you're sure you don't mind, that would be great." Kayla smiled and looked a little relieved. If she doesn't hurry up and spill what's going on with her, I'm going to burst.
    "I thought you girls might be thirsty so I brought you some drinks." Mom said as she laid a tray holding four plastic cups along with a small bowl of fruit. She loves it when my friends come over to hang out. She thinks it helps me feel normal. Of course, she doesn't say that out loud.
    "Hey Marie, how many people does Hannah get to invite to the pool party?" Jaycee asked. My friends’ call my mom by her first name cause Mom feels weird being called Mrs. Price. She thinks it's too formal sounding.
    "Well, I would say 20. And invite 5 or so extra just in case some can't make it. When do you want to have it?"

I started to answer but Jaycee did it for me. "In four weeks."
    "That's fine with me, but keep it to 20. And no Jaycee, it cannot be the four of you and 16 guys." She knows my best friend very well. "I'm going to run some errands. Have fun but make sure you all use sun screen."
    After mom went back inside Jaycee said, "Ok so we need to make sure the other six girls invited are dogs."
    Kayla, Phoebe and I yelled at the same time, "Jaycee!" Even though the thought had already crossed each of our minds.
     
    "What's up with Kayla?" Jaycee asked, walking out of my bathroom after changing out of her bathing suit.
    "I don't know but I was wondering the same thing." I plopped down on my bed. My arms and legs were sore from swimming.
    "You mean you didn't look?" Uh oh, she's still upset about the Mike thing.
    "I said I was sorry. You know I didn't mean it. He just popped in my head wearing just his basketball shorts so I knew it was coming from you." That got a smile out of her. "Jaycee, why didn't you just tell me you liked him? Hello, I tell you everything."
    She sat down beside me and pulled my hair. Her way of saying I was forgiven. She gave a sigh. "Because I didn't want you to think he was just another guy to add to my collection. I've liked him for awhile, so I know you didn't want to look or you would have known before now. He's like one of my best guy friends. He's different." I couldn't believe it, she was nervous, over a boy!
    "Why don't you let him know you like him? Jaycee you know any guy would line up to have you interested in them."
    She grabbed my hand and I instantly felt her hesitation. "What would I do if he didn't feel the same way? How would I ever face him again? Hannah, would you do your best friend, who loves you like a sister, a favor?"
    I knew where this was going without even having to cheat, but I asked anyway. "What is it?"
    With her best puppy dog face she asked, "Will you look for me? Just a little, itty, bitty, tiny look? Please, for me? I have never asked you to use your gift thing for me before." And she hasn't, ever. She has always been there for me. Treated me the same as she always had after I told her my secret.
    I can give her this one thing. "Ok, I will look. As soon as school starts, I promise."
    She hugged me so tight I thought she was gonna break a rib. "Thank you thank you thank