Page 117 of The Secret We Keep
“It wouldn’t be the first time I didn’t know how to read a situation.”
“Well, some people aren’t naturally gifted like I am.” She shrugs arrogantly.
My head feels thick enough to fall off my shoulders. “Can we change the subject?”
“Sure.” She smiles as she turns to carry on walking. “So when are you seeing him again?”
“Holly.”
“What?” she chuckles. “I’m only curious.”
I frown, refusing to give her eye contact.
“Oh come on, Morgs. I’m your best friend and I’ve been so caught up with work that I haven’t even hung out with you guys yet. I want to know what it is about him that makes you go all gooey-eyed like you do.”
I turn my nose up at her. “Gooey-eyed?”
“Yeah. You know…” Holly sucks in her cheeks, pulling a face that makes her look like a delinquent.
“I do not look likethat.”
We exit the woods and make it back to the main road. “You did the first time you saw him.”
“Well I’m not like that now.”
“Let me be the decider of that.”
“How?” I stupidly ask, knowing I’ve walked right into her trap.
She grins mischievously. “By letting me come with you the next time you see him.”
Digging my heels into the ground, I know my best friend will make things awkward if I let her anywhere near Paddy. She has no filter when it comes to social interactions. Before, I wouldn’t mind because I was always so out of the loop with everything. But with Paddy, it’s different. Even if I can’t keep him to myself, he’s the only one I feel like I can be myself around other than Holly.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I tell her.
“Why not?”
“Because you’ll embarrass me.”
Holly throws her head back, howling, her shoulders bobbing up and down. “I’m allowed to. I’m your best friend.” She gives me her best pleading eyes. “Please, I’ll be good. And you’ll know if He-man’s the one if he passes all my tests.”
I blow out an exasperated breath and cross my arms.
Widening her eyes a fraction, mine narrow. But we remain silent as I weigh up my options. I told Paddy I wouldn’t go tonight. I don’t want him to think I’m desperate by showing up, plus, his family might be there.
But if I don’t go, he’ll think I don’t care. I wish I didn’t, but my chest aches at the thought of missing something that’s important to him.
“He has a football match tonight.”
She claps her hands together. “Perfect.”
“Wait,” I exclaim. “I told him I wouldn’t go.”
“Why’d you do that?”
“Because I was mad that he lied.”
“Okay, here’s what we do.” Holding her hands up like she’s formulating a plan, I watch as her excitement grows. “We make you look even more drop dead gorgeous than you already are and show up at the game.”
