Page 142 of Girls Will Be Girls
I sigh. “We haven’t talked about any of this.” I wave around us. “What we want for our future.”
“You’re my future.”
“Lou.”
“Louisa.”
I cover my face with my hands. “This is a mess.”
He nods. “A little.” He says. “But whatever my mom said, forget it. You don’t need to listen to a word she says.”
“She said you’re ready for a family,” I say quietly.
He smiles. “She means she’s ready for me to supply her with grandkids to show off to her friends.” He takes my hands. “I don’t think I want kids either.”
“You don’t?”
He shrugs. “I’m not a hundred percent either way, but I’ve never really seen myself with kids, and right now I want you and nothing more.” He strokes me. “We don’t need to decide anything yet, but we’re on the same page.”
“Okay.” I nod.
“No one’s quitting their job to raise babies.” He says. “Especially not you, you’re too in demand.”
I laugh, but it’s cut short when my eye is caught by a far too familiar pair of stoic people standing at the edge of the room. Any sense of calm Lou just gave me is instantly replaced with sheer horror.
If I thought I was panicking before, that was nothing compared to this moment.
I turn us around so Lou’s wide shoulders block me as I huddle into his chest.
“No, no, no, no, no, no.” I whisper against him.
“What?” Lou lifts my chin up to him.
“My parents are here,” I say. “Lou, my parents are here.” My voice growing more panicked. “How are my parents here? They can’t be here.”
I chug the rest of my disgusting drink when I spot more familiar faces.
“Frida?” I splutter.
She jogs over to me in her heels, smiling awkwardly.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“So the invitation I got…” She says. “Not for a promo party.”
“Oh my god.”I drop my hands on my knees and hyperventilate again. “Who else is here?” I look up at her.
“Hey.” Dylan sing songs up to us with the rest of our friends behind her. “Interesting party.”
“Hey, man.” Elijah steps around Dylan and shakes Lou’s hand. “Elijah.”
“Lou.” He smiles. “Good to meet you.”
I wave my hands in the air frantically. “Can we not do introductions right now?”
They all either ignore me or decide it’d be really funny to annoy me, as all the boys, Lucas, Fred, Caspar, and Gordy, come around and shake Lou’s hand, introducing themselves.
“So do we just pretend you two are engaged now?” Frida asks.
