Page 103 of Someone Like You

‘Yeah, well, it’s not happening,’ I say as assertively as I can. I really need to shut this conversation down. ‘Now, can we please…’ I jerk my head in the direction of the living room.

‘Oh!’ Mom gasps, grabbing my arm. ‘I put you two in the same room! And now you’re sharing abed.’

‘That’s what I said.’

I glare at Issy again. Mom may not be the only one in danger of committing sororicide today.

‘It’s fine, Mom. I’m fine.’

‘But—’

‘Are you ladies joining us?’

Dad has paused in the doorway, looking either confused or amused, or a mix of both.

‘Sorry, Dad. Mom was telling us what she got you for Christmas,’ Issy lies. She shoots me a subtle wink, but her cover story doesn’t make up for sparking this shitshow of a conversation in the first place.

‘Oh, then I’d better make myself scarce,’ says Dad with a grin. ‘But don’t take too long,’ he calls from the hallway. ‘Hot eggnog – delicious; lukewarm eggnog – disgusting.’

I wait until I’m positive that Dad’s out of earshot. ‘Okay, look, you can’t say anything. Raff is dating Julia and he’s super keen on her and I’m just gonna have to deal, okay? Maybe if they don’t work out then— Never mind. I don’t even want to go there. So,pleaseleave it.’

Mom seems concerned, her lips taut, Monica shakes her head at me, blatantly disbelieving that Raff doesn’t reciprocate my feelings, and now Issy won’t look at me. It’s clear that remorse has kicked in – she’s like a dog that destroyed a throw pillow, is covered in feathers, and feels so guilty, it won’t make eye contact.

‘Come on,’ I say.

I lead them out of the kitchen and when we get to the living room, where Mariah is playing softly on the stereo, Raff greets me with a huge smile. ‘Are you going to tell them?’ he asks.

‘Tell them?’ I ask, alarmed.

‘Yes, your news,’ he replies with a laugh.

My news that I’ve fallen for my best friend? Everyone here knows that except for you and Dad.

Issy nudges me with her elbow and leans close. ‘The promotion,’ she whispers through barely parted lips.

‘Oh, yes! My news!’ With everything that’s happened since they arrived home, it completely slipped my mind.

I take a seat on the floor next to the coffee table, grab a mug of eggnog from the tray, and tell them about my promotion.

25

GABY

As is the tradition in my family when one of us has good news, we’re celebrating my promotion with Dick’s – the best burgers, fries, and shakes in Seattle. My parents grew up on Dick’s, and so did Issy and I.

Dad, who’s old school, runs around with a pad and pen and takes our orders. Even Monica knows what she wants without looking up the menu.

But it’s clear that Raff’s overwhelmed by the selection of burgers and shakes we’re shouting out. Dad must pick up on it too. ‘You can come with me and decide what you’re having when we get there,’ he tells Raff.

And I am all for Dad taking Raff out of the house, so I can deal with the not-so-surreptitious looks my mom keeps giving me.

‘Bye!’ I say, closing the door behind Dad and Raff. The second they’re gone, I beeline back to the living room. ‘Mom, you’ve got to stop that.’

‘Stop what?’ she asks, and I can’t tell if she’s being coy or legitimately doesn’t know what she’s been doing.

‘You’re acting all weird about Gaby and Raff,’ says Issy.

‘Yeah, Aunt Gina. It’s kind of obvious,’ Monica agrees.

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