AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Confusion creases her forehead. “But… but he hurt you–”
“This is about my parents, Trish, and my grandma.” I snap. “I lost them too, you know? Or have you forgotten?” I look away, not wanting to see the remorse in her dark eyes. With a sigh, I say, “I know what it’s like to be abandoned. I know what it’s like to—to lose the people you love. I feel your pain, Trish, I do. But you're lucky because you have a chance to make it right. So, do it. You never know what could happen.”
She nods. "You're right. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. It was very insensitive."
"It's fine.” I sit down next to her. “Ella’s your little sister and she's family. It's okay for you to feel this way now that she's coming home but don't let that negativity get to your head. It’s not healthy. It will make her run away and hardly come home. Let her experience what home feels like by giving and showing her the warmth of her home and family.”
Picking up the notepad, I frown. “You’re making people bring plus ones?”
“Yeah. Mom has a lot friends…and Ella, obviously.”“Who are you bringing?”
“I’m hosting the party, Kay.” She winks. “I’m a lone wolf. Anyway, enough about me. You have anyone in mind?”
“Me?” I bite my lower lip. “Not really. I mean, I don’t really have anyone. And Dylan is obviously bringing his girlfriend as a plus one.”
I got to find out about Jessie from Elena, who was more than ready to spill the tea. She’s a yoga instructor, and she and Dylan met at the gym. They hit off straight away.
“Are you planning to take Dylan’s friend? You know, the one that just came to town?”
Oh, no…
Her forehead crinkles. "Uh, what’s his name again?”
"Ian.”
"Yeah, Ian. Well, are you?”
“Do you think I should?"
Trisha’s lips form a wry line. "Well, that's not for me to answer."
"Ha-ha." I deadpan. “I don’t think it’ll be, you know, appropriate.”
“Because he’s your brother’s best friend?”
“No.” I glance away, fidgeting with my wrist chain. “I’m just—I don’t know think it’s a good idea.”
Trisha’s eyes narrows in suspicion. “Why are you acting weird?”
I frown. “I’m not.”
She regards me for a second, then scoffs in disbelief. “Girl, what did you do? Did something happen between you two? And don’t even think about fibbing. You might be great chef but you’re also a lousy liar.”
I hesitate. “We kissed. Twice.”
Utter silence. Then, Trisha lets out a small scream and in a quick breath, fires a barrage of questions. “I’m sorry, what? When was this? Why didn’t you tell me? I’m so mad at you, Kay! But let’s put that aside. How was it? Did you like it? Talk to me, girl!”
Chuckling, I cover my face in my palm. Gosh, this is so embarrassing. Where exactly do I begin?
“Okay, okay, I’ll talk.”
In less than fifteen minutes, I've covered everything that's happened between Ian and I. Trisha's lips are tightened as she glares at me.
"All this time, I’ve been thinking you’ve been held up with work and I had no idea you were playing tongue games with him!” Her eyes narrow. “What else have you been hiding?”
“Nothing, I swear. That’s just it.”
She stares at me for a moment, then leans back against the chair.
