While there’d been no more texts from Nick, there was also no update from Ramsay. Therefore, I was left wondering what could happen next. It was like knowing someone was about to play a prank and I constantly had to anticipate which doorway they might suddenly pop out of. Except this prank included the threat of real harm and danger, so it was that feeling on steroids.
Then there was Murray.
Friday night at the Lantern there was a moment, a stupid moment, when he kissed me and my heart leapt with hopethat his kiss might be real. However, he’d abruptly pulled back, his visible tension reminding me the kiss was for show. Yet, afterward, he’d gone and confused me by getting all sexy about the smell of my hair. Just when I thought I wasn’t imagining things, he’d fled the Lantern and then fledmeas soon as we returned home.
I did not imagine his rejection. And I knew I hadn’t because when I returned from the B and B yesterday in the early afternoon he and Kelly weren’t at home. They didn’t come home until after dinner. A dinner I’d cooked and they’d missed because they’d gotten fish and chips. They hadn’t called to see what I was doing for dinner or if I wanted fish and chips. I was forgotten.
That was fine. I knew he and Kelly needed time together. But a text would have been nice. I couldn’t help but feel like this was a deliberate reminder that I was not, in fact, a part of their family. If I’d known they would be out all day and most of the evening, I’d have stayed to help Nee out at work. It felt like she and I hadn’t seen much of each other outside the guest house lately, and I wanted to check in, make sure she was feeling good in the pregnancy they still hadn’t told anyone else about yet.
I’d left Murray and Kelly to clean up the kitchen and the many leftovers of linguine with green olive sauce and breadcrumbs (it was delicious). Then I locked myself in my room. Murray had knocked on the door a few minutes later, but I’d pretended I couldn’t hear him over the movie I was watching on my laptop.
Sunday, I didn’t come home from the B and B. I stayed to do extra prep for the continental breakfast we served on my days off. After, Nee had plans with Ramsay so I hung out with Cammie at Pages and Perks until we migrated to the Lantern for dinner and drinks. We didn’t go home until the Lantern closed.Murray didn’t text me once and he and Kelly were already in bed when I returned.
In all that had happened in this fake marriage, the events of the weekend had damaged a little of my trust in Murray. I didn’t understand what was between us, but I’d never expected him to ignore or forget my existence. To be made to feel like I was aguest. Not by him, at least.
This morning I’d waited until Murray and Kelly departed for work and school before I left my room to grab my yogurt and granola from the kitchen. I’d showered, read, and watched a little TV until it was time to meet Kelly in the music room.
No matter what was going on between me and her dad, I wasn’t going to let it affect us.
I reached for my phone on top of the piano to check the time. I’d heard her come home from school fifteen minutes ago. Deflated, I saw the text notification from Nee.
Just wanted to let you know we told Quinn and Taran at breakfast this morning *pregnant blond emoji*. So I called Cammie to let her know too.
I texted back:
Yay! You have no idea how many times I’ve almost slipped up in front of people.
Now we can all celebrate!
Baby shower!!
Grinning, I switched my phone to silent and placed it face down on top of the piano.
“What’s so funny?”
Relief shot through me at the sight of Kelly wandering tentatively toward me. She changed out of her uniform and wore her socks pulled high over her pajama joggers. Her black T-shirt was cropped and had the words “In My Showgirl Era” scrawled across it in orange glitter.
A genuine smile stretched my lips not just because of Nee’s amazing news but because Kelly was here. She showed up!
“Tierney’s pregnant. She just told everyone.”
Kelly’s lips twitched. “That’s cool.”
“It’s really cool. She lost her parents a few years back and outside of me, they were her only family.” Tears brightened my eyes. “I’m so happy she’s making a new one.”
Kelly considered this as she stopped at the piano. “You’re really close, aren’t you?”
“Yes. There is nothing better than a best gal pal.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I wouldn’t call her that. You sound ninety.”
Chuckling, I scooted over and patted the bench. “Sit. Let’s start.”
The teen looked at the space beside me and I held my breath, wondering if she was going to reject me already. Thankfully, she let out a little sigh and plopped her butt down next to me.
“So … what do you already know about playing?”
She shrugged. “I can read music and I know what all the keys are, including the raised flat notes.” She pressed her finger down on middle C. “Middle C.” And then her forefinger on the raised black key between C and D. “C sharp. D flat. Do you need me to prove I know more?”
