Page 45 of Call it Fate

Megan jabbed a finger at my face. “Right there. You bite your lips whenever you fib.”

I looked at her like she was crazy. “How do you know? I’m an honest person. I’m just hungry, and those chocolates look good,” I defended hotly, then stuffed one of the candies in my mouth for good measure.

“No, not like you’re hungry. You do this thing where you pull your lower lip into your mouth and bite down. You remember that time when I asked if you liked Aaron? You totally said you did, but you were doing that thing and then said ‘yes.’ But later, I overheard you in the girls’ bathroom telling Cheyenne that you thought he was a jerk, and I could do better.”

“I just didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

She went on like I hadn’t spoken. “And then there was the time when your mom almost caught us trying to sneak some wine, and you bit your lip, then told her we were just looking for soda.”

“She’s right!” Cam said. “I remember when she was spending the night once and our grandparents came home early. She made her lip bleed when they asked how the living room lamp got broken, and she said the cat jumped on it so Bristol wouldn’t get into more trouble.”

“That was different!”

“And then there are all the times when Iain asks you if you ever found that kazoo he won at the strawberry festival. You know, the one you hid behind the extra glasses on a top shelf in the kitchen? And all those times you forgot to do the tooth fairy thing and told him he was sleeping right on top of the tooth, so she didn’t want to disturb him? You always bite your lip, even with him.”

“Okay!” I shouted. “Fine. You’ve proven your point. I lie. Everyone lies. But I’m only trying not to hurt someone else’s feelings.”

“That’s wonderful, Em. But admit it, you’re lying to protect yourself now by saying you don’t want something with Zach.” Megan smiled with satisfaction as if she’d just presented the final piece of evidence to a jury.

My friends fell silent as the fire hissed and popped, much like the emotions that warred within me. “I can’t deny I’m still attracted to him. And I’m pretty sure he feels the same way,” I finally said. “But,” I hurried to add before they cheered, “it’s too soon. We still have too much to work through, and even then, I’m not sure we can find our way to the other side. There are too many complications. Attraction just isn’t enough.”

“But maybe you can start with that and build it into something more. Isn’t that the way most relationships work? Maybe it will work this time.”

Teagan nodded at Megan. “She’s got a point.”

Cam put her arm around me. “Well, nothing has to be decided for now. I say take your time, and see where it goes. No need to tackle the hard questions before you need to.”

She was right. I thought about her words as she guided the conversation away from me and on to other things. Pretty soon, we were all laughing until it grew late. The girls helped me clean up, and then they headed for the front door.

“So, wait a minute. Let me get something straight.” Teagan hesitated in the front foyer and faced me. “You did that mouth bitey thing when I made that vegan cake, but you never said anything.”

“Oh, honey,” Megan said, patting her arm. “That time was real. She was trying not to choke.”

We all burst into laughter, even Teagan.

CHAPTER21

Emalee

“Chase! Can we go feed the goats now?”

“Iain, wait until everyone at the table is done eating,” I admonished.

But Chase winked at him. “I gotta finish filling my belly first so I have the energy to take you out on the ATV later.”

“All right!” Iain gave a fist pump. “I wish Zach was here so he could go, too.”

Chase and Cameron raised their eyebrows simultaneously. But whereas Cam’s expression was more speculative, Chase’s eyes narrowed, and his mouth flattened.

“Zach?” he ground out.

I gave him a subtle shake of my head, not wanting him to say anything in front of Iain.

“Hey, Iain, while you wait for me, how ‘bout you go check on Tabby in the mudroom? She had her kittens last week.”

Iain’s eyes lit up. “She did? Can I have one?”

I shot my cousin a warning glare, hoping he’d interpret it for both the kitten and the lecture I knew was coming. At least he picked up on one of my meanings.

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