Chapter 8 #2
“Okay,” I said, turning back to my friends with a smile.
“There’s something I need to tell you both, but you have to promise not to freak out.
” I directed the last part of my statement at Willow, and she instantly nodded, eager for whatever news I was about to share. “Last week, I went down to Miami and…”
* * *
The day after Easter, I called JJ to see how things had gone with Layla.
“Have I told you lately how amazing you are?” he said when the line connected. “Truly, there aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe your angelic nature.”
I clamped my lips together to keep from laughing. “No, I don’t think you have,” I said, claiming a stool at the kitchen island. With my cell pinned between my shoulder and ear, I rummaged through the massive bowl of holiday candy set at its center. “But do go on. I’m all ears.”
“The heavens should praise the day your parents decided to get biblical and bring you into existence,” he replied as I selected a handful of favorites. “I think your birthday should be proclaimed a national holiday, because you, Cara Samuel, are my saving grace.”
“My birthday already is a national holiday.” I peeled pink foil off a chocolate egg and popped it into my mouth. “Based on your obnoxious praise, I’m assuming our plan worked? Does Layla think we’re dating?”
“Well, I can’t be certain about what’s going on inside that evil little brain of hers, but she’s been glaring daggers at me ever since we arrived at the resort, so I’d say yeah.”
“Resort? I thought you were going home.”
JJ’s responding sigh was heavy. “I did, but my mom had other plans. It’s been a while since we vacationed with the Bakers, so she booked a surprise trip to Cannon Beach. Now I’m stuck here until I leave for Europe.”
“I’m sorry, JJ. That really sucks.” If the prospect of spending one day with Layla was bad enough to ask me to fake date him, I couldn’t imagine how torturous an entire week would feel.
“No need to apologize. Your call was impeccably timed. Mrs. Baker was roping everyone into a game of Family Feud. If only you could call whenever I need an excuse to get out of awkward family activities.”
“Can’t you just…leave?” I asked. He was an adult after all. Did he really need permission?
“Without a good reason?” He laughed. “Yeah, right. Regina would murder me. Holidays are the only time we get to spend together.”
“Regina?”
“My mom.”
“Why don’t you say you’re visiting me?” I suggested as I unwrapped another egg.
I didn’t know how JJ explained our relationship to his family—maybe he hadn’t mentioned me at all—but I was willing to bet he didn’t tell them the truth.
Not if he wanted Layla to believe the lie.
And since the story had already been crafted, why not use me as an excuse to take a well-earned break?
He released another sigh. “That’s not a bad idea…”
I frowned. “But?”
“When Layla and I were kids, my mom always made comments about what a cute couple we’d make.
I think she liked the idea of us ending up together because then the Bakers would be our real family, so she wasn’t too happy when I broke things off.
She straight up told me I’d made a mistake and would regret letting the one get away,” he explained, his voice dripping with exasperation.
“Ever since then, she’s been convinced I’m going to die old and alone, especially considering I haven’t dated anyone new.
If she thought you were my girlfriend, she’d throw a celebratory parade. ”
Wrong, I almost said, because nobody wanted their child to fall in love with a time bomb. Appetite gone, I dumped my remaining candy back into the bowl and forced out a laugh. “I don’t see the problem. I love parades.”
“You say that now, but you’ll wish you hadn’t. Not only would Regina demand photographic evidence of our time together, but she’ll probably call you to get a blow-by-blow of our entire relationship so far and start planning our wedding.”
Even though he couldn’t see me, I made a face. “That seems a little over the top, don’t you think?”
“Oh, definitely, but that’s my mother for you.” A rich chuckle floated across the line. “Where do you think I get it from?”
“Okay, point taken. I feel bad though. I wish there was something else I could do to help.”
“Cara, you’ve already done enough. I can survive a few more days with Layla.”
As he said this, a preposterous idea popped into my head. What if I—
No, I chided myself, putting an immediate stop to that thought.
Absolutely not. JJ would think I was being presumptuous.
Then again, I’d already thrown myself at him like the thirstiest of fangirls, and he’d still given me his number.
JJ seemed to like when I was bold. Before cancer sapped away all my energy, people often told me I was a lot to handle—too loud, too bubbly, too intense—but I had a feeling he never would have.
“Well,” I said, bouncing a knee. “Care to hear my solution?”
“I’m all ears.”
“Come visit me for real. There’s not much to do here, but Drew is home all week, so I’m sure the three of us can find a way to entertain ourselves.
” I injected as much bravado into my offer as possible while silently praying he wouldn’t outright reject me.
“I promise nobody will rope you into a game of Family Feud, and if worse comes to worst, I can handle a phone call with your mom.”
JJ sucked in a sharp breath. “You’d really do that for me?”
“Sure. What are fake girlfriends for?”