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“No, I don’t mind. But, uhmm... about Thursday… I’m going to have to cancel pizza. I’m having dinner with Mom and Steven, so uhmm... I mean, I’m not going to jazzercise either.”
He felt a knot in his stomach. She was ditching him, and she wasn’t making eye contact. “It’s okay. Your mom’s more important. How’s she feeling? Must be better if they’re planning dinner.”
“Yeah. Well, Steven and I will probably eat a real dinner, and she’ll probably eat toast or something like that.” She twisted her braid with one hand. “We could do it another time. Maybe this weekend?”
“Sure. Well, I’m supposed to go on an overnight hike this weekend.”
“Oh. With Becca?”
“I don’t think so. I think it’s mostly guys from the hiking group, maybe one or two girls.” He cocked his head to the side as an idea had popped into his head. “You could come if you want to.”
Emily’s face paled, and her eyes widened. “Oh, uhmm, I don’t have the camping stuff.”
“You could borrow some if you want to go. But, no pressure.”
“Well, thanks for asking. And… and thanks for being so sweet about my mom and taking me to the hospital and getting your mother to be her nurse and all that.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I really like your mom and Mr. Gherring. And my mom’s glad to have a good job.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later.”
“Yeah, later.” Watching her walk away, he felt like his chances of being more than friends were dwindling with every step.
His phone rang—Becca again. He declined the call and turned his phone off, running frustrated fingers through his hair until it looked as crazy as he felt. He must have done something to make God mad at him.
*****
Emily felt relieved she’d finished that detestable chore. She hated lying to Spencer, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Now she needed to cancel with Becca.
Becca answered the phone call quickly. “Hi, Emily. I’m glad you called. I was about to call you. I’ve been trying to reach Spencer. Don’t you work in the same office? Is he there today?”
“Uhmm. . . Yes, I think he’s here. But he probably doesn’t answer his phone during work hours. You know how it is.” She felt a surge of guilt at how easily the lie came to her lips. “I called you because I have to cancel for jazzercise tomorrow night.”
“Oh.”
“I’m sorry. I really want to go. Maybe next week?”
“Sure, that’s fine,” she said with a heavy sigh into the phone. “It’s just that, uhmm... Well, I really wanted to talk to you. I mean, you’re probably too busy to talk now, but...”
“No, I’ve got a few minutes to talk. What is it?”
“Well, it’s about Spencer. Y
ou see, I thought we had a good thing between us, but lately he’s been distant. And so I wondered if you two were... You know. Do you like Spencer? Is there something going on between you?” Emily could hear her sniffling. “Is that what you’re doing Thursday night? Are you going out with Spencer? Because he isn’t returning my phone calls.”
“No, we’re only friends, Becca. We’re not dating.”
“Are you sure? Because I wouldn’t want to come between you or anything. You’re not going out with him Thursday night?”
“No, I’m not. Actually Becca, if you can keep a secret...”
“What? I won’t tell. What is it?”
“Well, I’m sort of going out on a date with my art teacher Thursday night. Although it’s not really a date—it’s only coffee.”
“Really?” Her voice sounded hopeful. “So you don’t mind if Spencer and I date?”
Emily felt her stomach churn. She didn’t really like to think about Spencer dating Becca. But she couldn’t really be upset about it if she was going out with Asher.
