I nodded. “I’ll be okay. That’s for sure.”
“So tough for such a tiny thing. But you know what? You’re not just going to be okay, you’re going to be happy. I guarantee it.”
“Um, I hope you aren’t planning on doing or saying anything that will embarrass me later.”
“Nah. I’ll probably just embarrass myself.” He laughed.
By the time I got home, I knew I’d have no trouble going straight to sleep. I’d been on an emotional roller coaster today, but it was nice to clear things up with Landon. Though he never directly admitted having feelings for me, it was clear that mine were directed toward someone else. It was one less piece to stress about.
—
It felt as if my head had just hit the pillow when I woke up to my phone chiming.
Sunlight streamed into my room and I realized it was morning. I grabbed my phone and read the message on the screen.
Felicity: How did the party go?
As I began to type a reply, I heard voices coming from the living room. And it didn’t take long to distinguish them. Grandma and Luis.
While it would be nice to pretend I slept through his entire visit, I didn’t really care for him to accuse me of being lazy, since nobody knew my late night was the reason I’d slept in. With a good deal of reluctance, I forced myself up and to the bathroom to make myself slightly more presentable.
A part of me hoped Luis would be gone before I finished, but there he was, sitting at our kitchen table, drinking coffee and eating Grandma’s empanadas.
“Good morning.” She was all smiles as I entered. He was not.
“Morning.” I passed right by him and into the kitchen for my own cup of coffee. Every step of the way, I hoped he’d announce his departure, but he looked more than comfortable.
He was talking about his job like he was some kind of messiah sent to restore humanity. So I ever-so-sweetly asked, “Do they still have you on tech support? Or did you finally get that promotion to sales?” If he thought Grandma didn’t keep me in the loop, he was wrong.
“Actually, I’m the supervisor of support operations.”
“Fancy.” I bit into my empanada.
He eyes narrowed on me. “And how’s community college?”
“Wonderful. I’ve learned a lot and look forward to starting nursing school in a few weeks.”
“Isla got early acceptance,” Grandma boasted.
“Hmm” was all he could muster in response.
We made more forced small talk, until finally he said he had to get home.
Grandma offered to pack him some food to take home, which he eagerly agreed to. And no sooner had she stepped into the kitchen when he turned to me.
“I didn’t know you were still friends with Colby.” His lips turned up like the mere thought soured his stomach. “You know whatever he told you is a lie. That entire family is nothing but no-good liars out to make money.”
I glared at him. “I don’t know or care what you have against the Callahans, but I can assure you they are not liars and they are very good people.”
His eyebrow raised. “He really hasn’t told you.” It wasn’t a question but more of a statement of surprise.
“Told me what?” I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms, hoping for indifference but now more than ever dying to know what the deal was with them.
He studied me, then finally shrugged. “Guess even he’s tired of spreading his unsubstantiated lies.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.”
Grandma walked back in then with a bag of food for Luis and I was glad since that served as his cue to leave.
“This should last you a while.”
“Thank you, Grandma.” He stood, took the bag, then gave her a hug. “I’ll be sure to tell Dad that you enjoyed the party he threw you.”
I clamped my mouth shut, rolling my lips together to avoid blurting that the party was as cold and unwelcoming as the two of them.
When he finally left, my shoulders relaxed. His presence made me ridiculously tense.
When I turned to Grandma, I realized she’d been watching me, so I smiled. “I have to be at Eddie’s soon. I’m going to change.” As I made my way down the hall, I asked, “Isn’t tonight Bunco?”
“Yes, and it’s my turn to host.”
“Okay. I’ll probably be home late anyway.”
“You’re always welcome to join us.”
I laughed. “Um, maybe next time.”
Chapter 18
That afternoon, I was rolling silverware at Eddie’s when Colby walked in with his dad.
“Hey, y’all here for lunch?”
Mr. Callahan nodded. “We were doing some maintenance on the boat and thought we’d stop in for a quick bite.”