“Gladly.” She smiled and launched into the story without missing a beat.
Well,almost.
I only had to correct her saying he ordered “onion rings, while I ordered garlic parmesan bites” because he definitely would’ve choked if that were real, but she sailed smoothly through the other prepackaged stories.
The only things we needed to smooth out were making the off-the-cuff answers more natural.
As I was reminding her that Nicholas would never—and I do meannever—be caught dead playing any family board games, he texted me.
Nicholas
How is she doing?
Very well so far.
Good to know. How are you doing?
Like you care…
I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.
I’m fine.
Good… I was looking over my conversation script just now, and you did a decent job.
I did an *amazing* job.
From what I’m reading, it’s almost like you know me as well as I know you.
We’re getting closer to Christmas, not April Fool’s…
Funny. Pick up when I call you later.
By the timeI was finished walking Laura through some subtle body language notes, Nicholas was calling my phone.
I stared at his name as it crossed my screen, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer.
My thumb hovered over the screen longer than it should have.
He called back-to-back six more times.
Each vibration felt heavier than the last.
I flipped my phone face down and put it on silent—then sat there, staring at it, long after the screen went dark.
I told myself that his “relationship” with Laura was temporary, that he didn’t really mean what he’d said about coming over on the phone.
He’s just sending mixed signals.
My chest didn’t believe it.
7
JENNA
Family Group Chat
Sorry you have to work again, Jenna!
