Chapter 17 Snooping
“Terry, what the hell?!”
It was the day after the dance, and Hallie just walked into Luke’s room to return one of his shirts, which her mama had freshly washed and folded, when she found Terry rifling through Luke’s leather laptop bag.
“Okay, you caught me,” her sister said, not looking particularly guilty.
“What on earth are you trying to find in there?” Hallie asked, dropping the pile of clothes onto the bed.
“You probably think I’m way out of line,” Terry began, “but the truth is, I’m concerned about you. I really think Luke is hiding something.”
“Yeah, right. You’re probably just trying to dig up some dirt on Luke so mama and daddy won’t think he’s a great boyfriend anymore.”
She caught a hint of annoyance in Terry’s eyes, which probably meant she was right.
Of course, Terry wasn’t about to admit anything. She turned to Luke’s small suitcase next. “There’s something fishy about him, I just know it. He’s always hanging around here. Doesn’t he have work to do? Is he actually homeless?”
“I thought he was homeless too at first, but he’s not. Stop it!”
Terry paused in her search, putting one fist on her hip. “Do I have to play twenty questions just to find out the truth? Come on, what are you not telling me?”
Hallie smiled like the Mona Lisa.
“I know he’s hiding something,” Terry warned, “And I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”
“Luke is just a wonderful boyfriend. You wouldn’t understand what we have.”
“If he’s so wonderful, why haven’t I heard about him before?” Terry asked, narrowing her eyes. “He just came out of nowhere.”
“That’s because I don’t tell you everything. And when I try to tell you stuff, you’re so mean.” Hallie felt like they were building up to one of their usual fights, and she couldn’t help going with the momentum.
“I’m not mean.”
“I don’t know if you realize, but a lot of things you say come across as really insulting.”
“You’re a sensitive snowflake.”
“I’m not sensitive. You’re insensitive!”
“Hello?” Luke was standing at the entrance, an amused smile playing on his lips.
Hallie grew self-conscious, wishing she had a normal sister so that Luke wouldn’t have to witness their constant family squabbles.
“Two sisters in my bedroom...” he said, one of his eyebrows edging up. “This gives me some interesting thoughts.”
“Gross!” Hallie exclaimed.
“Hey, I’m kidding. Or am I? I don’t suppose you’re in an open marriage, Terry?”
“Dream on, cowboy,” Terry said as she sashayed past him and out the door.
“It wouldn’t be the first time I had a threesome with two lovely sisters, so I know what I’m doing,” he said, unfazed by her departure. “Of course, that first time was actually a ploy to steal my organs for sale on the black market. I was lucky to get out of there alive.”
Hallie tried not to look like she was interested or impressed by his story. “I thought that would have turned you off trying to have a threesome.”
“You’d think so, but no.”
“Anyway, I’m going to go now before you spout any more nonsense,” she declared.
“Wait,” he said when she was almost through the doorway. “I don’t want to seem overly suspicious, but, seeing you in my room... you weren’t by any chance snooping?”
“No! Terry was the one snooping. I was just returning your clothes, which mama washed and folded nicely for you, even though you don’t deserve it.”
“Your mama is too nice,” Luke said, offering a genuine warm smile. “She didn’t have to do that. But why was Terry looking through my stuff?”
Hallie peeked out into the hallway to make sure no one was listening. “She might be on to us,” she whispered. “I think she suspects the relationship is fake.”
Luke pressed his lips together, thinking. “Well, maybe it was bound to happen. How long do you think we can go on, hiding the truth from your family?”
“Shh! As long as it takes.”
“You are a stubborn one. I can respect that.”
The doorbell rang before Hallie could say any more. They could hear Eloise’s voice coming from below in enthusiastic greeting as Vivian answered the door.
This time, however, Hallie was glad, and she went downstairs with Luke to welcome the guest.
“Hi, good seeing you at the dance yesterday,” she said, giving Eloise a hug. “Listen, if you need a volunteer for the church fundraiser, you can sign me up.”
“I thought you quit,” Eloise said.
“I changed my mind,” Hallie replied.
“That’s great! We could always use an extra pair of hands.”
“I just don’t have time to be on a committee anymore,” Hallie said, “but I’d love to help on the day of the event.”
Hallie didn’t fail to notice her mama beaming at her proudly.
“Ditto,” said Luke. “I’ve got to admit I’m not one for meetings, but I could look over your financial plan, if you like. I deal in solar panels, so it’s not exactly the same thing, but I have some business experience.”
“Really?” Eloise’s eyes lit up, maybe with something more than just the desire to help the needy. “I would love some input. Thanks so much, Luke!”
After Eloise went into Vivian’s office to talk more about the charity project, Luke nudged Hallie, giving her a meaningful look. “Volunteering to do some good deeds, huh? Is it because you’re afraid Eloise will steal me away?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she said nonchalantly.
After the dance, she realized that all of these people she wanted to forget were actually there for her and still wanted to be her friends.
Her heart was bursting with warmth and affection towards the people she had grown up with, even if some of them had been mean girls in high school.
Rob and the other guys may have been stupid to threaten Luke in an attempt to protect her, but it showed that they cared. Maybe her home was here after all. And if there was something she could do, even something small, she wanted to help.