“Somebody has to be! This woman is pure evil. I hate her.” Sensing her distress, Maple stands on his hind legs and gives her a lick.
I take Lane in a side hug as we walk toward the house, the dogs tripping over each other as they clamber home. “Not anymore. Remember that for the next few days, you’re her ally. She needs to trust you, believe she can use you.” The walk and Noah’s beautiful words settled my worries. Now I need to make sure Lane doesn’t carry the emotions I let go of. “You’ve got this, Lane. You’re not alone.”
“Thanks. I know,” she says on a deep sigh. “I made a fire in the parlor. Thought you guys might be getting cold,” she adds right as fat raindrops plop-plop on the crisp leaves.
“I’ll make sandwiches,” Noah offers.
Once we’re settled in front of the fireplace with our ham-cheddar-apple sandwiches on sourdough, I take my phone out. “I’m gonna text Beck and Griff. Give me Griff’s phone number?”
Noah hands me his phone. “Your birthday,” he mutters as I stare at the digits locking his screen.
I’m hit with a deep and fuzzy feeling right below my ribcage as he seems to think nothing of the trust and intimacy he just demonstrated. My fingers tingling slightly, I unlock his phone with a smile and send myself their contact cards. Then I create a group text.
Me to: Family
Hey guys, Willow here. Emergency family dinner tonight, 7pm sharp.
Lane:
You forgot to mention Cruella will be there
I glance up to smile at her, and get back to the chat.
Me:
Thank you for this. We will be welcoming your lovely stepmother. Should I call her Mother? I’m not sure about the etiquette.
Griff:
Sorry, hard pass. I’d have to leave in 3 hours to make it.
Noah grunts.
Noah:
Perfect, this gives you time to pack your sunny personality and bring it along.
Beck:
Since when do we want to have dinner with her? And why the fuck at Lilyvale?
Noah:
Because my wife said so.
I glance up at Noah, and he takes my hand in his and squeezes it gently while Lane smiles at us.
Lane:
Willow is getting the hang of the Callaway household. I think you’re gonna like it.
Beck:
Are you saying what you think I’m saying?
Lane:
I’m just saying.
