Page 145 of The Neighbor Wager

Deanna

“Willa just texted.” Lexi holds up her cell phone. “She’s going to Palm Springs this weekend.”

“It’s a big place,” I say. “I’m sure you can avoid her.”

“No. Her boyfriend owns the Palme d’Or.”

“He named the hotel after the famous audience award at Cannes?”

“It’s got palm in the title.” She throws her arms in the air, likehow should I know?“All the good palm names were taken, I guess.”

“And…”

“And she’s going to be there,” Lexi says. “At the hotel. Ready to watch us by the pool. Ready to watch us at the bar. She’ll probably want to grill Jake at dinner.”

“Aren’t you back together?”

“No.” She brushes a blonde hair behind her ear. “We’re still on a break.”

“You’re taking a weekend away together while you’re on a break?”

“I need to see what’s out there.” She folds her arms over her chest. “Didn’t we agree on that?”

Right. We did. And— “It’s your relationship.”

“And she’s going to be there, judging it, assessing it as good or bad. How am I supposed to get in the mood when I’m being watched? And don’t say ‘that’s what she said.’ Even though, it’s obviously what she said.” She throws herself onto the office couch and kicks off her black pumps. “I can’t do this.”

Is Lexi right? Is Willa really here to check the status of our relationships? Maybe she wants to check in. Or chat. Or have her own vacation. Why is it so hard to figure out people’s motivations? I trust Lexi’s judgment, usually, but she’s a little…anxious when it comes to her future with Jake. I don’t want this to ruin their reunion. “We can cancel,” I say.

“That will look suspicious.”

“But didn’t you say she’s a businesswoman and she won’t care if you and Jake are really in love, as long as you look good?”

Lexi scoffs as if she can’t believe anyone would say such a thing. “She’s going to think I’m sure. And I’m not sure. And I can’t ask him to play my perfect boyfriend if I’m not sure, can I?”

Honestly, I don’t know.

“He loves me,” she says. “I know he loves me. I’m not stupid.”

“Do you love him?”

“How am I supposed to know?” She pushes herself to a seated position. Her blue eyes focus on me. Her lips curl into a frown. “You loved Stephan, didn’t you?”

“I thought so.”

“But not anymore?”

“No.” I sit up on my desk and place my palms against the edge. “I did love him. I’m not confused about the love part. It’s the…himpart I don’t understand.”

Her face screws in confusion. “Is this a riddle?”

“No.”

“Love or love not. There is no try?” She attempts the Yoda quote.

“I think it’s the opposite,” I say. “Love is trying.”

“Isn’t it easy?”

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