Page 80 of Before We Break

He shakes his head and turns back to me. “As I was saying. Noah might look tough, but he’s been through some shit. If anyone can get him to open up, it’ll be you. When he does, just be ready to listen.”

Ben stands, returning the chair to its rightful place. “I’ll be in the back if you need anything.”

“That was weird, right?” Callie watches the molten cheese ooze out of her sandwich as she squishes it between her hands.

“He’s just being a good friend. When did you get to be so cynical?”

“When I was ten, and my sister jumped out our bedroom window.”

I grimace.

She laughs. “I’m kidding.”

I’m glad we’ve gotten to the point where we can joke about what happened in our childhood. Some parts are still off limits, but we’re healing, and I can’t ask for more than that. I’m just happy to have my sister back in my life.

“I take it Ben doesn’t know this whole thing with Noah is fake?”

“Shh. Keep your voice down.” I widen my eyes, glancing around the restaurant. Catherine’s still working diligently on her sign, and I don’t think she heard anything.

While I’m distracted, Callie reaches for my pickle. Before she can get there, I swat her hand, and she retreats.

“That was uncalled for,” she mutters, looking highly offended.

“Keep your eyes on your own plate or else.” The threat is half-hearted at best, my mind still whirring after the words Noah and Fake were used in the same sentence. It shouldn’t bother me to hear the truth of our situation, but the sentiment is working in direct opposition to my lovelorn heart.

“Clio…”

“Hm?”

“It is still fake, isn’t it?” She leans halfway across the table.

“Yeah. Totally.” I pop a fry into my mouth.

Callie’s not buying it.

Neither am I.

“What are you doing Friday night? You need to get out.”

I shrug. “I’m finishing up some knitting projects, and I have a hot date with Richard Gere circa 1990.”

“Pretty Woman? Again?”

“You don’t get to judge my hyper fixations, Pickle Queen.”

“Touché.” She crumples her napkin and tosses it into the now empty basket. “Come to The Ridge. It’s karaoke night.”

I wrinkle my nose.

“I’ll let you be Scary Spice,” she sings-songs.

“Sold.”

TWENTY-TWO

SLIPPERY WHEN WET

♫ Dress - Taylor Swift