Page 33 of I Still Love You

“What was that? I can’t hear you, Layla. Move your hand out of the way.” Mom brings the phone closer to her ear.

I bring the phone closer to repeat myself. “Luke. Sacks.”

“Oh my! After all you two went through? You know, I’ve always thought he was so charming. How is he? Is he doing well?”

“He’s—”

Claire interjects in an overly sweet voice, and I swear she’s going to owe me for this, for throwing me under the bus. “From what Layla says, he’s good. They’re seeing each other again. Right?”

I glance around the cafeteria, wondering if I bang my head off the table, if anyone will notice or if the hot meal they served is a big enough distraction.

Mom’s eyes light up like a firework on the 4th of July. “You’re kidding me. Layla, why didn’t you tell me?”

Well, Mom, I said nothing because we’re not. Actually. Dating. It’s a ruse. A gimmick that would have you more disappointed in me than the time I drove my friend’s car home when I only had my learner’s permit.

“We, uh, we’re—”

“Trying to work through it,” a deep voice says from behind. Luke leans his head next to mine, putting him in the frame. He smiles, and I catch it out of the corner of my eye, and I am so completely confused I can’t even sputter out a comment. I choke on my spit and cough when his hand moves to my upper back. “You good, Lay?”

My face flushes the shade of a tomato, and I move a hand to cover my mouth. Sputtering out a stream of spit across the screen we’re both trying to focus on would be way more embarrassing, so I attempt to hold it together.

Lay.

I never, in this lifetime, thought I would hear that out of his mouth again. Not after he’s told me at every opportunity how much he wants me gone.

“Honey? Are you okay?” my mom questions, her brows drawn down. Claire, the evil sister she is, grins around her chicken sandwich.

I am definitely nowhere near okay.

Luke, regarding me as Lay, has my heart fixing to beat out of my chest. Oh, and add in the discomfort of damn near hacking up my lungs. I’m never telling Claire anything else. I give my mom a thumbs up and my best attempt at a smile. Fortunately, she returns her attention to Luke, the center of attention now that he’s rudely joined a conversation that was private.

“Luke, it’s been so long. How are you and your brother? Oh, I just can’t get over how excited I am to find out that you and Layla are working out your differences.”

“I’m good. He’s good,” he shares before turning his attention to me. “You know, Mrs. Robinson, I think it’s safe to say that we’re just as happy about it.” His green eyes bore into mine, and I’m sure it’s the picture a mother wants to see; a kind man looking deeply into the eyes of her daughter with a love so strong that it could rival her own love story.

This entire situation makes me sick.

I clear my throat, grateful that I’m no longer choking on my saliva but have regrouped enough to find the courage to speak for myself. “So happy,” I add sarcastically, but Mom doesn’t pick up on it. She’s grinning far too wide to notice. So is Claire. She’s eating this up, and have I mentioned how much I dislike her? She’s so not getting a birthday gift this year. Actually, maybe I’ll get her pitchfork to match the new devil horns she’s sporting.

“That does it,” Mom says. “You’ll need to come to our next family dinner. Just like old times.” She lifts a finger to the screen. “I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“I think that’s a great idea, Mom,” Claire adds sweetly.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Luke says, putting on the charm. Why are he and Claire intent on piling the stress on today? Like it isn’t enough to work in an emergency room. I need my adrenaline for that, not this shit. “We’ll be there.”

“That settles it,” Mom says. “Layla will give you the details when I share them with her. As much as I’d love to keep chatting, I’ve groceries in the trunk. It was so nice seeing you again, Luke. I can’t wait to see you in person! Be prepared to be mauled,” she teases, giggling at her own joke.

“And work is calling me loudly,” Claire adds. “I’m so looking forward to dinner, Mom. See you soon.” Before I can say goodbye, she clicks her camera off and leaves the call. I suspect she does it so I don’t chew her ass out for the position she just put me in. She can run, but she can’t hide.

Mom waves enthusiastically and leaves the chat. The second she’s gone, Luke moves out of the frame and stands tall, crossing his arms and wiping that stupid good-looking smile of his off his face.

“I have to go, Brit.”

She nods, but there’s this sadness that weaves into a small smile when she flicks her wrist with a goodbye. She mouths, I’m so sorry.

I give her a simple shake of my head to tell her it’s okay; I’ll handle it. “Love you, sis. That color does look good on you, by the way.”

She responds with, “Love you, too,” then the call officially ends, and my screen dims.

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