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“I guess we should probably tell people soon,” she muttered, picking a piece of lint off her pants.
I didn’t tell her that Kate already knew. Now that we were finally communicating, I really didn’t want to bring up my freak-out at the hospital. It wasn’t the time. I’d tell her in a few years, when all of this was just a fond memory.
“I’d really like to tell my parents,” I admitted. “But we can wait a little longer, if you want.”
“I—” She paused for a long moment. “Can we just keep it to ourselves a little longer?”
“Sure,” I replied, trying to hide my disappointment.
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly, leaning against me. “I just don’t want to tell your family and not tell mine.”
“They’re still not taking your calls?” I asked, familiar anger burning in my gut.
“Not yet,” she murmured. “I can’t believe they’ve held out this long.”
“Me either,” I said.
“I’m sure that they’ll call this week,” she replied. “My aunt won’t be able to keep avoiding me.”
“I hope so, baby,” I said, planting a loud kiss on her forehead.
“Hailey invited us to a party they’re having next week,” Sarai said, groaning.
“She’s planning that far in advance?” I asked in surprise. Honestly, I was more surprised that they’d invited us at all. Sean had been keeping his distance at work, and I couldn’t imagine him willingly inviting Sarai to come over, since he knew she disliked him.
“I know, right?” Sarai said, biting her lip. “I’m kind of worried about her.”
“Because she’s planning in advance?” I joked, not understanding why she would be worried about a party. Sarai didn’t smile.
“Actually, yes.” She nodded. “She’s been showing up to school on time, too.”
“Shit, better call the Army.” I was still making jokes, but Sarai didn’t find our conversation even remotely funny.
“She’s a notorious procrastinator,” Sarai explained. “She doesn’t plan ahead, because she always thinks she has more time. I’ve known her for years and that’s never changed, so why now?”
“Maybe she decided she doesn’t want to be late anymore,” I replied. I wasn’t really seeing the problem.
“You’re not taking this seriously,” Sarai complained, standing up.
“Hey, come back,” I said, reaching for her. She dodged my hand.
“I’m really worried about her, Alex,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “She’s not acting like herself. It’s weird.”
“It’s probably nothing,” I replied as she walked toward the kitchen. “What is she, twenty-three or something?” Damn, that made me feel old. “She’s probably just finally getting her shit together.”
“Is that why she cut her hair?” Sarai asked. “Is that why she barely texts me anymore? Is that why all of her assignments are suddenly done on time? Is that why she barely goes out and hasn’t even asked to see my new apartment?”
“All of that would be easily explained by a little maturity, yes,” I called, getting to my feet. “Why, what do you think is wrong?”
“I think it’s Sean,” Sarai said, glaring at me as I strode into the kitchen. She took a bite of ice cream straight out of the carton.
“He’s helping her get her life on track?” I asked, my tone a clear indication that I thought she was crazy. “The guy is a douche.” I didn’t understand why Hailey stayed with an asshole like Sean, but I wasn’t seeing the connection between Hailey getting her shit done on time and her relationship.
“I don’t know,” she replied, sounding annoyed. “I just know something is wrong. I can feel it.”
“Then why don’t you ask her about it?” I asked, opening my mouth so she’d give me a bite of her ice cream.
“Because,” she replied, pushing a spoonful into my mouth. “If she wanted to tell me something, she would. Whenever I comment on the changes, she just brushes me off.”
“Okay then,” I said, shrugging.
Sarai made a disgusted noise and spun toward the fridge to put the ice cream back.
“Baby, I’m sure she’s fine.”
“We both know that Sean is a jerk,” she pointed out as she cleaned her spoon.
“Well, yeah. But what does that have to do with your friend finally taking care of her shit?”
“Don’t call her my friend like that,” she replied.
“Like what?”
“Like she’s not your friend,” she mumbled.
I laughed. “Really, that’s where this discussion is going?”
“Well, she’s your friend, too,” she replied loftily.
“Okay, fine, she’s also my friend,” I said. “Because she’s your friend.”
“I just think we should be aware of it,” Sarai said, walking away again.
I followed her into the bedroom and watched her as she stripped out of her work clothes and threw on a tank top and a pair of shorts so short they made my mouth water.
“What am I supposed to be aware of, exactly?” I asked, staring at her bare thighs.
“That Hailey is acting weird,” Sarai replied, snapping her fingers to get my attention. “That something’s wrong.”
“I’ll keep my eyes open,” I promised. I wasn’t really sure how I’d do that, since Sean usually avoided me, but if Sarai was worried, I’d try.
