Page 48 of Lucy Loves Him Not
“I think he saw some of his own hardworking, single mom in you,” I said, snuggling into the cushioned couch. “I know he also felt very welcomed by you.”
“He was so kind right from the start. I couldn’t help but want to welcome him in.” After a beat, she checked, “Did it bother you?”
I chewed on my lip, knowing that I, too, had trouble resisting the urge to welcome Adam in with a lot more than pizza. “A few weeks ago, it would’ve. But last night, he told me it meant a lot to him and I could tell it really did. Lately, I’ve started to feel…”
Mom nodded for me to continue.
“I feel like he and I… Wecan’t helpbut get along…” I struggled through that sentence.
“Are you two gettingfriendlier?”
“Sort of,”I said, not mentioning that I’d been compulsively texting him all day long. He was sending me live updates of his weekend reading ofLittle Women.
“It seemed to me he was pretty concerned with what you think of him.”
“What makes you say that?” I asked, but I already knew. I felt his eyes on me, searching for my reactions. His body was always aimed toward me like an arrow in a bow.
“Luce, he lit up whenever you laughed. Near the end of the night, he was basically floating happily on your approval. Which it seemed he had in spades, by the way, with two of you and your little joking and giggling,” Mom said all of this with a smile. She liked Adam. A lot.
“Okay, first, maybe he was waiting for my reaction because he knows I usually don’t even like him.” I laughed. “And he didn’t have my approvalin spades, but we are becoming friends,” I said, trying to reign her thoughts in with my own.
“Friends,” Mom said slowly.
“Friends,” I repeated firmly. “And not long ago he and I were fighting in Olivia’s living room. So, it’s a fragile friendship, at that.”
“As long as you’re enjoying your summer, kiddo.” Mom rustled my hair like I was still a scrappy four year old who made her laugh at my antics.
“You, too, Mom. Are you enjoying that time off?” For the first time ever, Mom had cut back her hours. I felt my shoulders relax a little at the thought that my mom was finally getting some much-needed rest.
“I am, I am.” Mom sighed happily.
“What are you going to do with your time off? Maybe we should take up tanning this summer or something.”
“I have some big baking plans waiting for me. I’m cleaning out the house, catching up on some reading, and helping our Olivia.”
“I have the same helping Olivia plans.”
“Of course, there’s checking on Gracie. And keeping up with you and your drama.”
“What drama?” I leaned back to look at her aghast.“I am the boring sister!”
My mom shook her head. “With my time off, you can worry less about trying to help me so much. Go play with Adam.”
I sighed and let my head fall back against the sectional. Mom didn’t believe what I said about Adam and me being friends for a second.
Feet tapped against the shiny tile floor. Olivia was back to tell us they would be delivering her new sectional.
That evening, I was back at home making a summer pasta salad when my phone started ringing. I grabbed it, expecting to see my mom or Olivia’s name on the caller ID, but it was Adam.
My hands were instantly sweaty. “Hey, Adam,” I said while attempting to regulate my breathing.
“Lucy, hello. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine, just making dinner.”Casual, breezy.
“I know it’s not working hours, but I happened to glance at my emails and saw that late yesterday the choir did come through, so your whole vision for the choir performance is going to happen!” Adam cheered.
I squealed in excitement. “Adam, thank you for telling me! I’m so excited.” This idea had been newandmine.
