Page 76 of The Love We Make

“It’s not a matter of being sure. It’s just how it is.”

Juan rolls his eyes. “Oh my god, Nora.”

“What?” I know what he means. I’m sick of myself spouting bullshit like that as well.

“If you’re waiting for an apology from Mimi, you will wait until the end of your days,” Juan says. “She’s not going to say she’s sorry for what she said, because she’s not. No matter how it made you feel.”

“Fine, then.” I know it’s not exactly fair to expect Mimi to apologize.

“Nora.” What Juan needs a few sentences for, Imani can convey just by saying my name. “I think you’re making a big mistake.”

“My life was fine before I met Mimi,” I say. “Of course, I’m upset that it ended the way it did, because I really do—did—have feelings for her. You know that. But I’ll be fine again soon enough.”

“Argh,” Juan groans. He taps his hand against his shoulder. “She was crying on my shoulder. It’s not only your own feelings you have to take into account. You hurt her.”

“I hurther?” That’s a good one.

“I think you know you did,” Imani adds.

“I thought I didn’t have to do this with you guys. That I didn’t have to explain myself.” This is a new one. Since when do my two best friends no longer unconditionally have my back?

“This isn’t about us.” Imani’s gaze is kind on me. “You hurt another person. That’s not okay.”

“I didn’t deliberately hurt her. I didn’t mean to—she started it.” I sound like a toddler bickering with a sibling I never had.

“I know what Mimi said,” Juan says. “And I know it’s a big no-no in your world, in this bubble you have created for yourself, but it really wasn’t that bad. She was just trying to help.”

“What the fuck?” Juan’s breaking our pact. He’s bringing family into it.

“Jay’s right,” Imani says.

My breath stalls in my throat. The raw sting of betrayal burrows into my soul. It tastes foul in my mouth. What is this? An intervention?

“You have parents who pick up the phone when you call,” Imani continues. Never in a million years had I expected such a low blow from her.

I can’t believe they’re doing this. This was never the deal. What the actual fuck is happening?

“I’m going upstairs.” I push my chair away from the table. “When I come back in fifteen minutes, I want you both out of here.”

“Nora.” Juan stares daggers at me. What’s he so angry about? “We’re not going anywhere.”

“We’ll see about that.” I’m too perplexed to move while I try to figure out the stunt they’re pulling on me.

“You can’t just kick everyone out of your house who disagrees with you about something,” Imani says. “Unless you want to end up completely alone.”

Being completely alone sounds like heaven on earth right now.

“Disagrees with me aboutsomething?” I cross my arms in front of my chest. “This isn’t something. This is one of the things that connects us profoundly. That we’ve bonded over for years. And now you’re throwing it back in my face? You’re making it sound as though my feelings are not valid compared to yours and that’s a pretty shitty thing to do to a friend.”

“That is not what we’re doing.” Juan’s demeanor is so stony calm, it’s annoying.

“What if Austin toldyouto callyourmother?” I ask. “How would you react then?”

“I would have an adult conversation with him,” Juan replies. “I wouldn’t kick him out of my house just because he means well.”

“I tried to have a conversation with Mimi, but she had to keep on pushing, saying it hurtherthat I supposedly ‘shun my family’, just because I’m not chomping at the bit to call my mom on Thanksgiving.”

“Nora.” Juan rises and walks over to me. “Why can’t you just let it go? Why can’t you make your life just a little easier on yourself?”

---