The Blast from the Past (Riley Thorn #3)

by Lucy Score

The clouds pulsed brighter, and Riley wondered briefly what her spirit guides looked like. Were they the clouds themselves, or were they something else hidden beyond the ether? Were they human? Did they look like supermodels or regular people? Little pastel squirrels scampering around the universe and collecting energetic nuts?

“You know, if this is how women feel when someone insinuates they have their period, I’m surprised more dumbasses don’t get hit in the face with chairs,” Nick mused.

“It must be flu poisoning,” Riley slurred. “Did you mean the flu or food poisoning?” Sesame asked. “Yes. I should go to bed so I can die,” Riley croaked.

“We’re so overdressed,” Riley whispered in mortification. “There’s no such thing. You dress to suit your mood and personality. If your outfit is better than everyone else’s, then that’s their problem, not yours.”

“Daisy needs you. Her moo sounded so sad,” Blossom said. She jumped up and threw open the sliding deck door. Roger followed her at a run. “What’s the matter, Daisy girl? Did that mean old hag next door scare you with her weird hair again?”

“When she answers, look her in the eye and listen enough to be able to paraphrase it back to her. Look at me; I care enough about you to notice your feelings and give you space to talk about them. I call it ALECTO: Ask. Listen. Eye contact. Top off.”