Eye on Orion Read Online Free PDF Page A

obviously the one needing assistance. She could put on anything and make it look good. I was grateful for the help but still felt some doubt as to my skill at pulling off the same look Amira did so easily.
    I admitted my fears to her in one of the stores and she replied, “It does not matter what clothes you wear. It is all about how you wear yourself.”
    â€œYeah right.” I knew it worked for her because she radiated confidence, but it wouldn’t work for me in the same way.
    â€œBelieve me, you are special. You are just unaware of how special. I have never met anyone like you before. Jai is also impressed with you, and he is not won over easily.”
    â€œHe doesn't seem impressed. The other night was pretty awkward.”
    â€œReally?” Amira raised her eyebrows. “He said you were nice and gave him lots of… He said you told him a lot of stuff about the stars.”
    â€œYeah, but he didn’t tell me anything about himself. Just asked me a bunch of questions.”
    â€œYes, he is a little brusque at first, but give him time.”
    â€œWhat’s it like having a brother?”
    â€œHe sometimes does things that bother me, and he is protective at times. I can handle myself, but he does keep me safe.” She stopped talking and held up a blouse for me to try on. Her soft voice spoke through the door of the dressing room a few moments later. “What do you think of him?”
    â€œHe's such a gentleman to you and your mom.” I thought of how he opened the doors for them. Smoothing down the front of the blouse, I said, “He's also very polite. Not much like other guys around here.”
    â€œHe is perfect. You must get to know him better.” The way she said it left no room for argument. It seemed weird she was trying to get me to like her brother. Was she doing it on her own, or had Jai asked her to find out what I thought? That would be so junior high. Didn’t matter. It was fine if it helped me gain his interest.
    â€œI'd like that.” I stepped out of the dressing room to show her the latest.
    â€œThat looks great.”
    â€œYou think so?” I examined it from another angle.
    â€œI do.” She nodded. “And Jai will as well,” she added with a wink.
    â€œThanks.” Did I want Jai to like my clothes? Why was I even contemplating this? Who cared what he thought. I sure didn’t. Not really.
    â€œYou are welcome.” She gave me a hug, surprising me even more than yesterday when she'd almost attacked me on the front porch. I patted her back awkwardly and stepped away, giving her a shy smile.
    After hitting all the stores she wanted to, we met up with Jai in the hallway on the second floor. He looked at the bags Amira held and then at the ones she'd dropped off for him to hold halfway through the shopping day. Then he looked at mine. I could hold my bags in one hand while Amira held hers in both.
    â€œDid you find what you wanted?” he asked.
    Amira smiled. “Yes, thank you. Holly got some cute things. You should see her in them.”
    I blushed a little, and then a lot more when he smiled shyly at me. Good thing he couldn’t hear my thoughts because he’d laugh if he knew the reason I'd bought them.
    Jai snapped his gaze to Amira. My eyes flickered between them as they traded expressions back and forth — almost like they were engaged in a silent conversation. He narrowed his eyes, as if reprimanding her for something. In return, she gave him a smile and brushed a section of hair behind her shoulder. He crossed his arms over his chest, and she put her hands on her hips. I watched them in fascination until he looked at me again as if seeing me for the first time. Somehow he seemed to know what Amira and I had talked about.
    I set my bags down and fumbled through my purse, pretending to be distracted. I didn't want him to see my embarrassment. I grabbed my lip balm and slipped over to peer into a