Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 23 - Want A Ride Anna?

Jake wasn't sure that he was ready to leave. He was in a mental whirl over the kiss but in conflict with how he should react. To make sure he didn't have awkwardness, Jake turned to Anna.

"Wasn't Harmony your ride to the party?"

"Yes actually, but I'm stuck here right now until I call a cab." Anna replied. He could tell Anna was agitated and thought to help her out would make how he was feeling more casual.

"Would you like a ride?" Jake asked Anna.

Anna looked unsure, but he figured she didn't want to be stranded with a bunch of drunks.

"Yes, thank you, I would really appreciate a ride home if it's not too far out of your way?" Anna asked.

"I am freezing to death, and I didn't bring anything." Stacy was shaking, but Jake wouldn't look at her.

"Here, you can wear my sweater." Anna said as she stood up. Jake followed her actions and reached into his pocket for his keys as he wanted to break the strange tension of the group.

Stacy hesitated then said, "No, that's ok. You'll need it."

"I'm really pretty warm, I promise." Anna removed the garment and handed it out to Stacy.

"Thank you, that's sweet." Stacy said as she took the sweater offered. She looked at the tag of the garment and after she noticed who the designer of the sweater was, she was more than happy to shove her arms into the sleeves of the material.

"Oh gosh, this is the garment of the week!" Stacy squealed. "It's a Le Taylor design. This is yours? Are you ok with lending it out?"

"So, you do actually own them?" Fired a few questions without expecting immediate answers.

"Yes." Anna blushed.

"This sweater cost $1,200." Stacy said in admiration.

Anna didn't say anything but Jake had started coughing. He wanted to gently take the sweater off his sister for he knew she couldn't pay for it even if a thread was ruined. Panic set in and he looked to see if Stacy were holding any kind of liquid. She wasn't. He was only momentarily relieved. Anything could happen from here to Anna's house he thought.

Stacy was obviously enjoying every moment of the experience as her hands that have been who knows where was rubbing the sleeves and front of the sweater. It was obvious he loved the feel of the silver slinky soft material. Jake hoped her fingers hadn't touched anything she ate, and he remembered how messy his fingers had been when he was snaking on the food Bryce provided. Jake's anxiety began to get worse as he tried to scan her skin that was running up and down Anna's expensive sweater.

"Every week Anna puts something posh on her web-magazine, then posts pictures all week of similar items for a fraction of the costs and what stores to go to find the items. It's brilliant!"

Stacy seemed to forget that she was not happy about the evening. Anna was blushing and had replied to Stacy's comment with a thank you.

"That is brilliant actually." Jake said liking that she was helping teens learn to dress as their futures would require it and everyone knows most teenagers are broke so saving money was a must. He liked the idea. It wasn't just thrift shopping, it was educational in personal investment.

However, he didn't like that his sister was getting intimate with Anna's ridiculously priced sweater. At this Jake gave her a disapproving look since he saw Anna watching her too. Unlike Jake's look of distain, Anna's expression was an understanding of the appreciation of it. Jake cleared his throat.

Gladly Jake ushered the girls through the door with his arms full of their dishes. He could have just left them but that wasn't how he was raised. Staff was already cleaning up as they served a full ongoing party of celebrators. They walked quickly towards the front door weaving around the inebriated and waved to a few voices that called out.