"That was quick," Lily smiled. "You OK?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I shot my eyes at her.
"No reason," she pulled back, confused. "Being at the pharmacy and all."
"Needed some allergy meds," I lied and changed the subject. "What do you like to eat for breakfast?"
"I don't eat breakfast," she informed me. "I'm always down for coffee, though."
I didn't usually eat breakfast either. But all the stress, the throwing up, and the sleepless nights were getting to me. I was famished.
A few more turns and we were at a hidden hole-in-the-wall diner, "Holly's." Lily watched me pick and choose, then ordered herself a cup of coffee and smiled across the table.
"We can make this a habit," she beamed.
I forced a fake smile as the vibration of my phone on the table saved me from answering her.
I froze in place, and my face turned white.
Fuck, it's Damon.
I clawed it from the table in a flash.
“You OK?” Lily raised a brow.
“I had this thing with my agent today. I completely forgot,” I lied for the hundredth time today.
"Oh, do you need to go?" Lily asked, disappointment taking over her eyes.
I'd love nothing more.
"It's OK, I'll reschedule," I said instead.
I dropped the phone in my purse, where all my other secrets found solace. I’ll think of something later. I chewed my food quickly, paid the bill, and led Lily to The Dome, a few blocks away.
“Have you ever been here?” I asked.
"If I had, it would be all over my Instagram," she gasped, mesmerized by the grand building before us.
She hurried up the steps while I dragged behind her. My head was spinning with anxiety. I wanted to drop everything, run to a bathroom stall and take the test that was patiently waiting in my purse. But fear paralyzed me each time I reached for it, and I'd convince myself to wait until I was home.
"Wow!" Lily's shriek zapped me back to reality. "Can we even be here? Who owns this place?"
"I know the manager," I comforted her. "He and Greg are buddies. He lets me come here to rehearse and find peace."
I dropped my purse on the floor and kicked off my shoes. Lily looked stunned at first, then quickly followed suit.
“Now that we have those out of the way let’s play this game. I call it a game of five characters,” I jumped on the stage and helped her up.
“What’s that?” Lily asked wide-eyed.
"It's—" I began, but my phone vibrated in the back pocket of my jeans.
Annoyed yet curious, I pulled it out.
"Lily, I need to take this," I told her and walked away to the far end of the stage.
“Hello," I said shakily.