The silence returns, then stretches. I nod a few times, like that’ll trigger something—anything to speed this up so he’ll leave, but he doesn’t move.
When I’m about to give in, ask him to do whatever it is he came here for, regardless of what he might tell my father, Locke speaks in a small voice.
“I’m in Boston for my internship. You said you were busy on Thursdays.”
Confusion settles over me. I don’t know when or why I would tell him about my schedule. It’s not like we would’ve made plans when I saw him last-
I’m slapped with realization.
Keller’s request. The weekly dinners. The excuse I made.
My focus bounces from him, to the textbooks I’ve thankfully laid out in front of me, back to Locke.
“I am! This is my group project.”
“Group?”
The hairs on my neck stand. I was so excited when I saw how empty the shop was. It’s bitten me in the ass, because there’s no one near me to play off as a classmate or project partner.
“They’re here.” The lie comes out hurried and unconvincing. I’ve done more lying in the last week than I have in my whole life. “They are.”
He scans back and forth between me and the vacant seats surrounding us, as if someone will magically appear to prove him wrong.
This is the last thing I need. If I hadn’t wiped the dinner from my memory, I would’ve thought not to leave my apartment on a Thursday.
Locke is the second worse person that could’ve caught me in this, but it might as well be my dad who found me in the middle of my lies. I have no doubt my half-brother is going to report back, and then I’ll have to answer to the man who pays my bills.
What if he takes away my car? Or threatens to cut the lease on my apartment?
Angry heat reaches my neck. Partially at Keller, for this being our relationship. And at myself, for relying on him to this extent. I try to stay straight-faced while my concerns echo. Locke has the same blank expression.
“If there isn’t anyone-”
“There is!” I repeat, “They’re here.”
“Grant.”
“I told you. Thursday nights. Group project.” My hands go up to sell it.
Am I selling it?
Locke sighs quietly, pushing his hair out of his face. “I know what dad said.”
Alarms start ringing. Locke readjusts his glasses and opens his mouth to speak again, when a tan frame headed towards the door catches the corner of my eye.
Thereisa solution, and thereisa project partner.
“Lily!”
She stops in the center of the café, wide hazel eyes looking up from her phone. Her beige apron is gone, no longer hiding her over-the-shoulder white top and the purple bows embroidered onto her jeans. Her waves are free, too, framing her dusted pink cheeks.
I wish I had time to appreciate the sight more.
Locke glances at her, eyebrow raised. My arm lifts in her direction. It’s now or never.
“Locke, this is Lily. My project partner.”
“What?”
