Page 42 of Enemies, Lovers & A Valentine's Baby

Chapter 15

Unwanted Alliance

Lila

Rue’s cafe is just around the corner from my house. I get there first and grab us a seat with a great view of the busy street through the floor-to-ceiling windows. I watch as people hurry down the sidewalks, bundled up in thick coats and scarves, their gloved hands clutching coffee cups, occasionally pausing to take a hot sip. A faint puff of breath hangs in the air before disappearing.

While I wait, I order an extra hot flat white and chocolate croissant for myself, and a cappuccino for Sue.

A few minutes later, the little bell above the door jingles, and I know right away it’s her. I look up and watch as my beautiful, leggy friend saunters over to my table with a small smile on her face in an almost identical outfit. Her hair is twisted into a bunon her head, a few strategically loose strands framing her face. Her oversized scarf is wrapped around, giving the effect of a plush turtleneck.

“Took you long enough,” I mutter, trying to muster up a straight face, but eventually I can’t resist returning her smile with one of mine.

“Sorry I’m late. Traffic was crazy,” she mutters, taking a seat.

“How’ve you been, Lila?” she asks, her eyes drifting from mine to her tightly clasped hands in front of her. “I’ve barely even seen you these past few weeks. It feels like you’ve been avoiding me. Is it because of what I asked you to do? If it is, then I’m really sorry. I was out of line for—”

My brows furrow, face creasing for a moment, trying to follow her line of conversation. Wait, she thinks I’ve been intentionally avoiding her because of what she asked me to do?

“What? Sue, this isn’t because of you bringing up Cole Matthews. I promise,” I say, reaching out to hold her hand.

“Then what is it?” she asks, eyes glistening. I try to respond, but the words quickly dry out as I take back my hand, leaning back in my seat.

“Because there must be a thousand missed calls from me on your phone. You barely respond to any of my texts. Just the other day I told you I was coming over and it felt like you couldn’t talk me out of it fast enough. You make all these excuses every time we’re supposed to meet up and I—I don’t understand, Lila. Did I do something wrong?” she asks, eyes starting to water now.

Her voice is smaller than I’ve heard it in a while, fear making her eyes look like chocolate pools.

My gaze drops to the table, guilt tugging at me. A lump grows in my throat.

I’m a terrible friend for making her feel like this, on top of everything else she’s going through. I should’ve handledthings better, then she wouldn’t have spent the last few weeks wondering why her best friend seemed to want nothing to do with her.

“You haven’t done anything wrong, Sue, I promise. I’ve just been busy with work and then I caught the flu. It was just one thing after another and I—I’m really sorry. I’m going to make up for it, I promise. Especially now that we’re about to get started on the Valentine’s ball. You’re about to get sick of seeing me so much. I know it’s still two months away, but I want to start working on it now because I really want it to be special. This is going to be the one, Sue. Can’t you feel it?” I nudge her playfully, hoping to get a smile out of her.

Something flickers across her face as I mention the Valentine’s ball.

“What is it?” I ask, not missing the way her eyes seem unable to meet mine now.

“About the ball…” she trails off slowly.

“Sue, if you’re worried that I won’t be committed to the planning like other years, you don’t have to be. I promise. I know I’ve been MIA a lot these past few weeks, but I promise I won’t let you down. Let me make it up to you,” I smile, reaching out to touch her hand again. “We’ll throw the best one yet. It’ll be the most beautiful event anyone attends this year, and we’ll make sure it’s a night no one ever forgets. It’ll be perfect!” I grin, involuntarily perking up at the thought of it. Nothing gets me as excited as planning a big event.

It’s the first time since my news that I feel something close to excitement.

Sue’s not as excited as I thought she’d be though. Her downturned eyes and flattened lips cause my face to crease with confusion. She was always the excited one. What’s going on?

“There’s a little problem, Lila. But I don’t want you to worry about it, because I’ve found a way to sort it out. It’s just goingto require a little adjustment on your part,” she says, eyes finally meeting mine yet shifty in their gaze.

“What kind of adjustment?”

“I’m going to need you to do most of the planning on your own, because I’m not going to be here.”

“What?” I mutter, trying to make sense of what she’s saying.

“My mom is having hip replacement surgery,” she says.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry to hear this. Is she okay?”

“Yes, but I’m going to need to go take care of her for a bit.”

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