"Riley Matthews are you listening?"

Riley stifled a groan. Of course she had been listening. As a matter of fact the whole of Texas is listening. Okay, she's exaggerating. Though, Riley is certain that the people at the next table can hear her father.

She should have put off calling him back. But she'd already done that, twice. In a row. If she doesn't call back after his third message, he would have started to worry.

Besides, when Cory Matthews started to worry, he will get her mom and his family involved. And if her mom got involve, steps would be taken. The two of them might end up boarding a plane to Texas.

No joke. It could happen. So now and then, she had no choice but to call her dad back, both to keep him from worrying and to keep from getting rescued whether she needed it or not.

Her dad was still talking, well more like yelling – and way too determined. "Don't you think you and Maya had enough adventures to last you a lifetime? You guys should come home now."

Her dad continued, "Last month you promised you'll be coming home and now you're telling me that you want to stay a little bit longer. So what are you and Maya planning on doing now?"

Before Riley could tell her dad anything he went right on, "I get that you want to explore a bit before finding a full time job but Riley this is ridiculous. Your graduation was 8 months ago. Stop stalling and come back home. Hello? Riley? Why aren't you saying anything?"

"Daddy, I -"

He didn't even let her finish her sentence. "We miss you, you know?" Her father says gently.

Feeling guilty, "I miss you guys too."

Cory sighed. And then he said briskly. "Fine. You and Maya explore but I expect you ladies to come home next month."

Riley winced and sent a desperate glance around the restaurant. She could use a little help about now. She needed someone to rescue her from her own father. But rescue was not forthcoming.

Her father chattered on, naming off new students he has in his class, the antics he and Auggie along with Shawn had been doing and the endless things he thinks she's been missing since she's been away from home.

But then she heard swearing and the swift pounding of heels on the floor. The sounds were coming closer. She knew the voice, Maya Hart.

Her dad is still talking. "So you see…"

Maya sent her a quick acknowledging glance and sat across from her.

"Look, daddy I have to go. I'll call you next week. I love you. Bye." Riley hung up. She took the phone away from her ear and gave it a dirty look.

"So what does Mr. Matthews want this time?" Maya finally asked. "Is he still giving you lessons in life?"

Riley grunted. "What else is new? How did the interview go?"

Maya's brows drew together. "I don't know. Okay, I guess."

One corner of Riley's mouth quirked up. "Maya Hart, what did you do this time?"

Maya sat back and folded her arms across her middle. "Nothing!"

"Maya?"

"Fine." Maya scowled at her. "I didn't go to the interview."

"Are you serious?"

Maya nodded. "Don't freak out. I did go to an interview, just not the one I initially applied for."

Riley pressed her lips together and blew out a breath, "Maya, you need a job. We're running out of funds and I can't ask my parents for more money."

"I did get a job and it's an amazing job."

"So what's the catch?" Riley asked. "There is a catch isn't there?"

Maya gave a disgusted snort. "Yeah. It doesn't pay much. Actually they won't pay me anything until I complete a two week period. But Riley I want this job. It's a junior assistant position for a well known fashion label. I didn't even know that they are based here in Texas!"

Riley rubbed her temples with the tips of her fingers. "Maya my paycheck as a temporary receptionist won't be enough to pay for our rent and food. What are we going to do? You wouldn't want to go back home now do you?"

Maya stood up, put an arm around her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "C'mon Peaches, we'll figure it out. Ring power?"