Page 127 of Until He Confesses

"Actually, it's a little home dinner," she said. "The three of us are cooking. I'll be leaving soon as well, so it's also a sort of going away thing. Intimate. Close friends... and family."

I heard her emphasis on the last word.

"If you'd prefer, we could go out anyway, that would be okay."

I gave it another thought.

"Have her invite me herself," I said, and her mother went silent for a moment.

"Sure," she replied. "That's perfect."

I set the phone down and tried to get back to work, but I found that I was easily distracted until eventually, the call came in.

"Hello?" she said, and I couldn't help shutting my eyes. It had been a while since I had heard her voice, and every time I heard it again, I felt my heart move.

I wished she didn’t have this much of an effect on me but I couldn’t help it.

“Hello,” I replied.

“I hope you’ve been well,” she said. “I’m calling to officially invite you. I hope you’ll be able to make it.”

“I will,” I replied.

“Alright…” she said. “See you soon.”

62

CALLIE

Even after the call ended, the phone remained against my ear. The room was unfortunately full of my two enemies, so I couldn't remain in this shocked state for much longer. I removed all the emotion from my face and turned to face them.

"He said he'll be here," I replied.

"Of course, he will," Mom said and gave me a smile.

"Of course, he will, right?" Anna asked. "He's just punishing her."

"He's not punishing her," my mom corrected, but I didn't comment.

"He loves her," Anna said. "Deeply, and that's why he has to have this to feel somewhat vindicated."

"Stop talking about it," I groaned and got back to work preparing the vegetables.

"Am I wrong?" she asked, but nobody responded. She was absolutely not wrong, and just this short time wasn't enough. But I did hope that he could begin to slowly come around starting with tonight, and I couldn't help but be nervous. We worked for a little bit more until the sun went down, and it was time for dinner.

I took a shower, changed into a comfortable dress, and soon we were ready.

"Is this too formal since we're at home?" I asked my mom.

"It is formal even if it's at home," she said as she perused me.

"Too formal," Anna said. "Your breasts should be out. What are you doing covering up?" I was so startled at what she said that I almost didn't notice that the doorbell rang. My mom went to answer the door while Anna turned and began to grab the collar of my dress.

"Stop," I said, but she refused to let go as she struggled with the top button.

"I know you're the one in the wrong here, but you need to take action in your favor," she said. I pushed her hand away, but the chiffon dress was too light to handle such force, so before I knew it, a few top buttons went flying. My cleavage was, of course, immediately exposed, but also the stupidity of my friend.

We stood in place as we watched Lucas come into view and stand at the door watching us. He looked between me and Anna, and then I turned to see her, unable to control her smile as I struggled to fix my dress.

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