Dad smirks. “I’ve known Laiken almost my entire life. I know when he’s keeping a secret. I can’t wait to meet them.”
Oh, fuck my fucking secret motherfucking life right now!
Chapter Eighteen
LAIKEN
“This is really good,”Nason says. “You’ve mastered Korean barbecue.”
I nod as I chew and swallow. “Thanks. Definitely my best to date.” I keep my attention focused on my plate so I’m not staring at Lie. He’s sitting quietly on Nason’s left, Miranda on Nason’s right. I’m across from Nason and Lie at the bar outside.
“You’re not working tonight?” Nason asks.
“Nope,” I say, shaking my head. “I was thinking about checking in at the Cantina. They’ve been having staffing issues, but…” I shrug. Honestly, I’m tired. I’d like the night off.
“We appreciate lunch,” Miranda says. “This beats deli sandwiches every day.”
Lie and Nason nod in agreement.
“I don’t know. I love a good sub,” I disagree.
She sighs. “Why is it that you can buy a sub for $8 at the café down the road and it’s delicious? I can literally put everything in one of their sub rolls at home for half the price, and it doesn’t taste the same.”
“The same reason I can’t match my mother’s macaroni salad, even when I made a batch beside her,” Nason says, shaking his head.
“It’s probably mental,” Lie says. “You know, like the placebo effect. If you believe something will happen by taking this water pill, your body might produce that effect. If you don’t think your sandwich will be as good even when you make it the exact same way, then you’ll taste something different.”
Miranda hums.
Lie reaches for his glass, and my gaze locks on his fingers, wrapping around it. Then, I swear, this little fucker slides his hand up the wet surface, covered in condensation, and back down again before picking it up. I meet his eyes briefly, not missing the flicker of a smile just before he covers it by bringing the glass to his lips.
“Do you really need to paint your nails, Elijah?” Miranda asks. “That’s so feminine.”
“Miranda!” I snap.
“Don’t,” Nason says, turning his body to face his wife, blocking his son from her.
Miranda looks at us both with wide, surprised eyes. “What? I’m sorry. I just?—”
“You just don’t think before you speak. Do not criticize our son’s choices about what he wears or how he accessorizes. Nail polish isn’t gender specific, despite what societyoutside of Kalatells you,” Nason says. “I’m tired of having this conversation with you.”
I look at Lie. He’s not paying attention and looks entirely unfazed by the whole thing. At this point, I think he’s tuned her out. His eyes meet mine for a second and that same small smile touches his lips before his attention returns to his plate.
“Anyway,” Nason says, pointedly turning his attention away from Miranda and looking at me again. “What about you? When are you going to tell me about the person you’re seeing?”
Everything inside me turns cold and for a second, I can’t move as my breath is punched out of me. I look up to find that he’s got a huge smile. He nudges Lie, nodding his head in my direction.
I look at Lie. Holy fuck. Did he tell Nason? Is Nason okay with it? My heart races. Oh fuck. Oh?—
Lie very subtly shakes his head, eyes wide.
Disappointment floods me. For one second, I thought maybe he’d be… supportive. I’m not sure that’s possible.
“Well?” Nason prompts.
I shake my head. “Nothing to tell.”
“Sure. Keep it to yourself then,” Nason says as he gets up. “We still can’t convince either of you to join us at the school for the fundraiser?”
