“That’s because he sings off-key.”
“What’s the big deal? Micah’s really nice and he obviously likes you. He’s a little short, but so are you.” I spun my roller in my hand. “Maybe we should see if he’s free.”
Claire snatched the roller from me, cheeks so red she looked sunburned. “Be serious. We’re not calling Micah. I’m telling you I don’t like him. Can you honestly say the same about Sean?”
I answered automatically. “Yes.”
Claire gave me her look. The one that saidyeah right. “Why do I have to believe you but you don’t have to believe me?”
“Because,” she said. “Back in junior high,Ididn’t drag you along as a volunteer dog-walker as an excuse to go past Micah’s house. AndIdidn’t ask Micah’s mom for possible names for our future children. AndI—”
“I never did that!” Technically. I’d asked Sean’s sister. Plus I’d been nine.
“I just remembered that fake wedding album you made in fourth grade.” Claire curled into a ball laughing. “I can’t believe I forgot about that. You were so insane back then! Tell me you still have it.”
“Are you kidding? I burned it years ago and set fire to the ashes.”
“It’s in that box under your bed, isn’t it?”
“Noooo,” I said, in the least convincing manner ever.
“Hmm” was all Claire said. “I rest my case.”
“Fine, I’ll call him. It’s not a big deal.” I grabbed my phone. “Hey,” I said when Sean answered.
“What’s up?”
“We’re about to start painting Claire’s room again.”
“Same color?”
“No, this one is apparently four imperceptible shades darker.” I ducked as the paintbrush Claire tossed at my head knocked a picture off her wall.
“They’re ripping her off.”
“Yep.” I eyed Claire, making sure she heard Sean say the exact same thing I’d said.
Claire rolled her eyes, then stood there with her hands on her hips waiting.
It really wasn’t a big deal, so I asked him. “Did you bail on Cami?”
“Yeah. I’m tired.”
I waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t. “That’s it? You’re tired?”
Sean yawned loudly. “I haven’t slept more than five hours a day in weeks, I’m allowed to be tired, Jill.”
“I know, but…now Claire feels bad that we all ditched Cami.” That was a lie. Claire was bobbing her head at me to some unheard song and mouthingI told you soover and over again.
“So you want me to what, un-bail on her?”
I paused. I couldn’t bring myself to say yes but saying no felt almost worse. “I’m only calling because Claire wanted you to know there’s a third roller with your name on it. Do you want to co—” I heard a click and held the phone out to see the display.
“So?” Claire asked, stretching out on the bed. “He’s coming?”
I pushed her feet off one side and dropped down next to her. “Yeah, no. But he did hang up on me, so there goes your theory.”
She shook her head while pulling her white-blond curls into a bun. “That’s because you made it sound like I was the only one who wanted to call him.”
