Page 42 of More Than an Ex-Girlfriend

Me:I’ll come out, and we can chat on the porch.

Layla:Far away from each other.

I open the door and pick up the bags she’s set down where I could grab them. “Thanks for bringing stuff.”

“I would’ve come sooner, but Tessa insisted that Archer was taking good care of you.”

“He’s been awesome.”

She rubs her hands together. “This whole flu bug was brilliant. I mean, look how much alone time y’all have had. Update me.” She waves her hands as if that will draw words out of me.

“I’m not sure anything’s changed. He’s let his guard down a bit, and there have been moments that reminded me of when we were dating. But I don’t think things will ever be like they were.” I choose not to tell her about his fever kiss. But I think about it multiple times a day. Even when I’m sleeping.

“Have you considered—hear me out—talking to him about it? Come clean. Tell him you’re still in love and want him back.” Standing just off the porch, she grins like she’s just proposed the winning idea.

“Coming clean would involve telling him why I broke things off, and I haven’t told anyone that. Besides, he may not be interested now. We’ve both changed.”

“I don’t get why you don’t just tell him. It can’t be that bad. And so help me, do not use your weight as an excuse to avoid love.”

“I’m not avoiding love, Layla. I’m avoiding getting hurt.” I cross my arms, the blanket clutched to my chest. “And I’m not telling him because the reason would hurt him. And I’ve done enough of that already.”

“You cheated?” Her tone changes, and accusations flare in her eyes.

My head hurts too much for this conversation. “No. It’s nothing like that. Please don’t ask about the reason.”

She huffs. “I can’t fix this for you if you won’t work with me.”

“The only reason I’m not hugging you right now is because I care about you. It’s sweet that you want to fix it, but you can’t. If there is a solution, Archer and I have to find it.”

Nodding, she checks her phone. “I get it, but I want you to be happy. And this guy makes you happy. Anyone can see that from a mile away.”

“If he brings it up, I’ll talk to him.”

She steps a tiny bit closer. “Lettie, do you know how awesome you are? Not only do you have amazing hair that looks good when you roll out of bed, but you’re gorgeous and funny. And what man doesn’t want a woman who can make donuts? I know we stumbled into being roommates, but that was one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

“I feel cruddy, and all this sweet talk is going to make me cry. And I hate crying.” I wipe my nose. “When you grow up like I did, blending in and not being noticed was easier, safer. Guilt by association kind of messed me up, I guess.” I’ve told Layla snippets about how my mom behaved, but it’s embarrassing admitting them, so I rarely bring it up.

“You aren’t in your hometown anymore. No one around here knows your mom or cares what she did.”

“Sometimes I need that reminder.”

“Now, hurry and get better, so you and Archer can come to my wedding. You’re bringing him, aren’t you? Because of the smaller venue we fell in love with, we didn’t invite as many people, but you get a plus one.”

“I haven’t asked yet. But I will. I promise.”

“Good. Go rest. And eat. I bought lots of snackies.”

“I appreciate it.” I lean on the doorframe until her car is out of sight.

Lilith waves from the front porch of the venue office, and I return the wave, amazed with how at home I feel here. And Layla is right. In this town, no one knows that I grew up with a mom who drank too much and wasn’t always on the right side of the law.

As much as it hurt to lose contact with my mom, it was healthy for me. That’s clear now that she’s trying to get me to move back.

I dig through the bags Layla dropped off and put away anything that needs to stay cold.

I pop a few chocolates in my mouth, and then, snuggled under my blanket on the couch, I flip through channels.

Another car door slams, but it doesn’t sound like Archer’s truck. I roll off the sofa to go see who it is. Maybe Layla came back for some reason.

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