25
Ridley arrived home at the same time as her father, reaching the corner of their block just as Dad came out of the Lins’ restaurant across the road. “Is Shen home?” she asked as Dad walked toward her.
“No. I was just paying his parents a visit.” Dad paused, a frown creeping across his face. “Weren’t you just with Shen and Meera?”
Ridley realized her mistake a moment too late. “Actually, I decided to give the two of them some time alone together.”
“Ah. Shen and Meera. How interesting.” They continued down the alley toward the store’s back door. “I would never have guessed they felt that way about each other.”
Ridley shrugged. “They can both be quite shy sometimes. Maybe that’s why?”
“Mmm. Yes.” Dad pushed his key into the lock of the back door, then leaned a little closer when it w
