Page 59 of Deja New
“For you, dumbass. A checkup for you.” To Leah: “Oh, don’t laugh, you’re just encouraging him.”
“Can’t help it.” She giggled. “You’re all adorable.”
“That’s a blatant falsehood. What lies has that lying SOB Archer told you when he lied about us?” Before she could respond, Jack held up his hands and made soothing motions. “It’s okay. Shouldn’t have put you on the spot. You don’t have to pretend Paul and Mitchell are adorable. It’s enough to acknowledge my and Angela’s adorableness.”
“Duly acknowledged.”
“So the baby’s fine.” At Leah’s nod, Angela continued. “And, Jack, you don’t need an appointment.” Jack nodded. “And I’m not obsessed.” She nodded for herself.If someone were to walk in—who wasn’t a family member—they’d think we were all secret-keeping lunatics. Oh, wait...“So we’re all in the kitchen at 4:30 a.m. because everything’s fine.”
“Seems like.”
“That’s an accurate summation,” Leah said.
“So none of us have anything to tell each other.”
“Nope.”
“What the chef said.”
Delighted, Jack turned to Leah at once. “You think I’m a chef? Tomorrow, I’ll make you oatmealandporridge! Later today, I mean. But not triple coffee cheesecake. Because I’m bored with that one now and we’re out of coffee.”
“I could buy you more coffee,” Leah said hopefully.
“Bring me all the coffee,” the teenager declared, “and I shall visit upon you the most divine Chocolate Coffee Cardamom Layer Cake you’ve ever had.”
Leah beamed into her cup of cocoa. And Angela, who was still uneasy from her dream/flashback, couldn’t help smiling. Because, yeah, something was up with all three of them. But Jack had made it clear he wasn’t ready to be forthcoming, and Leah’s health was, frankly, no one’s business but hers and Archer’s.
And that was... that was all right, Angela decided. Sure it was. She could feel herself prodding that new idea.So... DON’T be a controlling jerkass in this instance? Hmm. Radical thought. Am I on board? This one time I might be on board. I’ll be more controlling tomorrow to make up for it. Promise.
“Angela?”
I wouldn’t have been capable of this five years ago. Or maybe even last year. Maybe Archer isn’t the only one who grew up.
“Helloooooo?”
“I’m here,” she said automatically.
“Sure you are.”
Sometimes, she was coming to learn, you didn’t have to spill everything and then talk it to death. You could just... be together. Even if it didn’t solve anything.
Or maybe she was just tired. Either way: “So, who wants a refill besides me?”
Turns out, they all did.
