Page 53 of Enemies with my Bestie’s Brother
“It’s a surprise, duh!” She picks up a few multi-colored rhinestone packets, and I smile at her excitement.
It’s nice to see her happy, and I wish that I could share my innermost secret with her now.
“I can’t wait to see the whole outfits completed. You’re such a talented designer, I can’t believe how lucky I am to have you as a friend,” I say, sniffling a little bit.
I can’t believe I’m getting emotional in the middle of the craft store.
“Aw, Whit,” Penny says as she throws her arms around me, pulling me into a huge hug. “I’m so happy that you’re here. Thank you so much for taking over the party planning. I know that it can’t be easy doing that and decorating Grayson’s apartment. Speaking of Grayson, has he been nicer to you lately?”
I freeze at the mention of Grayson’s name. It’s a stupid response, considering that she’s bound to say his name sometimes — she is his sister after all.
“Um, yeah, he’s been nicer. A lot more tolerable to be around.”
“It seriously surprised me that he went on that trip to Keene with you, but I’m glad that he did. He told me about how you showed him around your hometown. Thank you for being nice to him, even though he was awful at first. I don’t know what got into him, but it’s good to see that he’s mellowed out a little,” she says, and guilt washes over me.
I desperately want to tell her that Grayson and I are together, tell her that I’m falling for him, hard, and that I’m sorry for hiding it from her, but I can’t. I can’t even move my lips in the way that saying words would require.
“Yeah, well…anything for my best friend,” I say, even though it sounds more like a question than a statement.
She rolls her eyes at my awkwardness and leads me to the checkout. I let out a sigh of relief at the conversation being over, but the guilt for lying to my best friend doesn’t leave.
After Penny pays for the items, we get into the car and she turns to me.
“So, what do you want for dinner? We can stop by the grocery store and pick up some things.”
“Oh, actually, I won’t be home for dinner. I have a date,” I tell her, chewing my cheek in anxiety.
Grayson and I had decided to go on a proper date tonight, not that I can tell her that.
“What?!” Her eyes widen in surprise. “That’s amazing! Who is he? Tell me all about him! Is he nice? Fun? Do I know him?”
I look at her, the two of us pitching forward as the car starts to move at the hands of the driver.
“Well, he’s very funny and smart. You might know him,” I lie.
Obviously, she knows him. This is actually so much harder than I thought it would be, lying to Penny’s face directly.
“He’s seriously handsome. I don’t want to tell you his name yet, though, because I don’t know if it’s going anywhere yet.”
Penny examines my face, and I worry that I’ve overdone it. I’m caught; she knows I’m lying.
“You seem so nervous, and you know what, I totally understand. Jared completely broke your trust, so obviously you would want to keep a potential new beau under wraps. Don’t worry, I won’t push you for details. Just know that I’m rooting for you.”
Her phone pings and her attention is drawn to the message on her phone. Shame courses through me at the fact that I’m lying to the most amazing person in the world. She didn’t even consider for a moment that I was being deceitful, and she’s so understanding. I take in a deep breath as tears threaten to fill my eyes. I will not cry, especially because that will prompt Penny to begin asking more questions.
“I guess I should stop trying to push you and Grayson together then, huh?” Penny jokes, smirking at me.
My eyebrows raise in alarm.
“Wow, did you seriously not catch on that I was doing that? I’m impressed, I must be much better at covert ops than I thought.”
She karate chops the air and I burst into laughter at her antics. She laughs along with me, karate chopping some more. I wish I could enjoy this moment without the fingers of remorse pulling me in another direction.
PennyandParkeroptedto go out for a dinner date, since I wouldn’t be there for dinner. Baby J is spending more time with Grandma Eleanor, and it’s hard to say which one of them is happier about it. She tickles his belly on the floor and his baby giggles bring a smile to my face.
“Alright, I’m heading out. I should be back before Penny and Parker get home,” I announce to her, and Eleanor smiles at me.
“Be safe and have fun dear! If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me! And take your time. I’m going to love spending time with my Grandson.”
