"Still…" Her eyes turn suspicious. "Devin didn't know you hate coconut. He doesn’t know you're on the pill." Suddenly her eyes go wide. “Oh my… Did hehireyou? Are you some kind of…you know…" Her voice drops to a scandalized whisper. "Escort?"
"No!" My hands fly up in front of my face. "It's not like that at all."
"Whatisit like, then?" Callan cocks her hip and folds her arms in front of her, staring me down.
"It's completely innocent, I swear."
My mind is spiraling, trying to come up with possible twists to our lie that won't make it worse for Devin. Lies upon lies is not a good way to start a relationship. If I mess this up, Devin isn't going to want to be with me one second longer than necessary.
But instead of any reasonable excuse popping into my brain I simply freeze, like a deer in the headlights.
Jim and Devin step back into the library, and Jim playfully tugs at Callan's elbow. "Come along, Lawrence and Janine are waiting for us in the lobby." He looks toward me. "Are you coming skiing this afternoon, Laila?"
"No, I need to keep reading."
"We'll see you at dinner, then. Don’t work too hard."
Jim is already returning to what feels like a previous conversation as he says to Devin, "Lawrence will also know what to do with the McKenzies. They’re good clients, but my goodness, they can get jumpy… "
Devin shoots me a look of apology, while Callan fires another look of confusion my way.
Seconds later, I'm alone again, trying to figure out how to be as honest as possible while not torpedoing Devin's career. We’re here this weekend hopefully to get him promoted, not fired.
And if I ruin his chances with this company, he would be perfectly in his rights to blame me for it.
12
DEVIN
I’m glad that Jim and Lawrence want to talk about our problem clients while skiing. It puts some distance between me and Callan.
I have no idea what she said to Laila, but my sweet baby looked stunned. No…frozen.
There have been a few times now that I’ve noticed her becoming overwhelmed and flustered, and needing a moment or two to collect herself before responding. Sometimes this can result in her spewing out a flurry of words, as if a dam has broken.
From the impression I get of her family, they’re always focused on Megan. Was Laila ignored when she was little? I’m no therapist, but if that was the case I would guess it would have left my poor baby feeling lost.
I trudge toward the chalet with the others, hoping I can find some time to talk to Laila so she’ll relax. Then I check my phone, and my heart drops.
Laila: Callan thinks I’m some sort of escort. She knows something is up. I don’t know what to do.
Laila: I’m so sorry if I’ve hurt your job in any way. Please let me know if I should call a ride and leave, if that’s easier for you.
Oh no. My poor sweetie. I could kick myself for putting her in this position.
Breathe, baby. We’ll figure it out. Be there in a few minutes.
As soon as we walk into the chalet, Callan, who has been ignoring me for the past few hours, shoots me a look that I can't quite interpret. "Jim? I think you and I should go find Laila. I’d like to finish my conversation with her. You come too, Devin."
Jim looks confused, but as always, simply follows his wife.
I hate that my sweet girl's eyes snap wide in shock as Callan leads the charge into the library. Her fingers begin to twitch as the three of us approach her leather easy chair, then she snaps her laptop shut and sets it on the coffee table.
"Laila, how long have you and Devin been together?" Callan asks. “I don’t think you’re actually married.”
There's no way I'm going to allow anyone to stress out my sweet girl, especially not when this whole weekend was my idea. Before Laila can get any more flustered, I step beside her, slipping my arm around her shoulder.
"You're right, Callan," I say gently. "Well, partially."
