“You’re such a fucking liar.”
Audrey groaned. “Well, it’s not a fair question. River doesn’t have the… challenges I do here.”
“You’re doing that thing where you try to talk yourself out of feeling like you can be in a relationship because you think you’re a burden to any potential partners. Clearly, she’s not seeing you as a burden. She’s seeing you as someone she cares about and can help.”
“I don’t need a caretaker.”
“I know that. But love involves caring for the people you’re with.”
“Have you been drinking?”
She laughed again, just as loud as before. “No. Have you?”
“No. I’ve been shopping. But you’re the one suddenly implying my cousin’s girlfriend is in love with me.”
“Be so for real right now, babe. It’s a possibility.”
“It is not. Aside from anything else, you don’t fall in love in two days.”
“Maybeyoudon’t.”
“And other people’s girlfriends don’t either.”
“We’ll see, won’t we? Still got several days ahead to test the theory.”
“I thought you wanted me to leave.”
“I do, but I know you’re not going to. Just as I know that, despite all the bluster, you actually do want to fall in love.”
“Not with my cousin’s girlfriend.”
“Is she hot?”
“I have no idea,” Audrey said flatly. Whatwasthis conversation and how had they gotten here?
“Liar.”
“I’m not lying.”
“Fine. But I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you get something good out of this week.”
“I got balsamic. That’s all the good I need.”
“Ooh, that actually is good. Can’t wait to have some.”
“Yeah, yeah. Keep barking up the wrong tree and I won’t let you have any of it.”
Zora laughed, but the rest of the conversation was cut short by the other balcony door opening.
Audrey turned to see Hallie stepping out, wrapped in blankets again. If they really were going to talk out here, she probably needed to grab some too. But the whole thing felt far more risky than it needed to with Zora’s words bouncing around Audrey’s head.
There was nothing going on. She was genuinely happy for River and Hallie.
“Hey,” Hallie whispered, shooting Audrey a warm,friendlysmile.
“Zora, I’ve got to go. Thanks for talking, yeah?”
Zora groaned, clearly thinking it was one of the annoying members of Audrey’s family interrupting their conversation. “Okay, babe, but look after yourself, call me any time you like, know I’m just teasing you because you need some comedy relief in this whole thing, and try to look after yourself.”
