Page 42 of The Winning Ticket

Morgan looks at me, and I swear she’s two seconds away from saying, “Ah ha!”

“Oh, that’s lovely. I always liked Jake. I thought you two would make such a lovely couple,” Mum says, love hearts practically floating from her eyes.

“They’re just friends,” Morgan says quickly, looking at me.

I feel a stab of annoyance, although I don’t know why, as it’s exactly what I’ve been telling her every time she gives me a hard time. But I’m growing frustrated with her interfering in my life since I’ve been back in Brisbane.

“Oh, that’s a shame. He would be so good for you after that awful Richard,” Mum says with a pout.

“Well, it wouldn’t be fair on Jake to be her rebound,” Morgan says.

I wonder why there is even any point in me standing here, as they are having this entire conversation without me.

“Well, I still think they’d be good together.”

I chime in before the conversation can go any further. “Well, as one half of the not-couple you are referring to, Jake and I are just friends, but it was nice to have his company this weekend. I do want to get started on editing those photos, though,” I say, hoping they’ll get the hint and head off.

Morgan studies me closely for a moment before nodding. “We should get moving. Chris is waiting for me before we head over to see Annelisa and Will,” she says to Mum, who stands and picks up her handbag.

“When will you be over for dinner next? I have missed having you around after those weeks you lived with us. And this little one,” Mum adds, moving towards Maddie, who hasn’t moved from where she’s lying across the top of the couch, already her favourite place to lie.

Mum bends to scratch Maddie’s ears, earning her a sneaky lick on the hand.

“I can come whenever works for you. My social calendar is wide open these days.”

“Okay, well, I can make your favourite, lasagna, on Wednesday night. How does that sound?”

I follow them both to the door. “Sounds good to me. Maddie and I will be there.”

“I want lasagna, too!” Morgan says, pouting.

Mum sighs. “Of course you can come too, Morgan. No need to be so dramatic.”

My sister and I smirk at each other before looking at Mum.

“What?” Mum asks, and I laugh.

“Who do you think she learnt that from?”

“Oh, don’t be silly, Brianna. I’m not dramatic.”

“You are literally the most dramatic person I know,” Morgan says, and Mum looks offended while they walk out the door together.

They wave goodbye to me, and I can hear them continuing to bicker while they walk to the elevator.

I shut the door and lean back against it, closing my eyes for a moment. I hear my phone ding and go back into my room to see a message from Jake on the screen.

Just Jake

Hey, miss me yet?

I smile. He must be bored on the drive and using his voice to text.

Brianna

I do, actually. I just had my mother and sister here.

Just Jake

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