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I nodded. “I agree.”
“Maybe we don’t say anything to Penny. I wouldn’t want her getting confused or having too many questions.”
I dumped the noodles into the water and continued working as she rambled on.
“Or the guys—they don’t need to know. And I feel like if Tootie knows, then the whole town is going to be talking, so maybe we just... keep this between us?”
It felt an awful lot like she wanted to hide whatever was developing between us. I should have been relieved. Thrilled. I couldn’t quite place why it didn’t sit right with me.
I checked the noodles and went to work on the broth. “If that’s what you want.”
“It’s for the best, don’t you think?”
“Absolutely.”
Lark stayed quiet but watched me cook. In a bowl I layered the noodles and a dark broth. I sliced the soft-boiled egg and smiled at myself.
Nailed it.
I slid the bowl toward Lark. “Fancy ramen.”
She beamed up at me, and for a second I wanted to tell her to screw her plan. If we were going to keep fucking, there was no way I wasn’t going to want to show her off in public, claim her as mine, and treat her like a fucking queen.
But she was right.
In Outtatowner that meant questions and unsolicited opinions and having to explain casual relationships to my seven-year-old.
Fuck that.
Right now, with the way my life was running off the rails, I’d take Lark in whatever capacity she was willing to give.
I opened the silverware drawer and plucked out a pair of wooden chopsticks.
Lark scrunched her nose at me. “How do you know where everything is?”
I grinned and leaned against the counter next to her as she began eating. “Lived here. All of us but Katie did at some point. It’s how I knew to tell you to avoid that green recliner.”
It was the first time I noticed it was missing from the living room.
“What’s the deal with that chair, anyway?” Lark took another bite, and the soft moan of appreciation was a shot to the gut.
“Lee lost his virginity in that chair, and then for a while it became his ‘lucky chair.’”
“Oh god.” Lark burst out laughing, and the happy sound rippled through me. “I moved it into the spare room, but now I think I should just burn it.”
The laughter between us died down, and awkwardness took its place. Satisfied that she was well fed, I cleared my throat. “I should get going. The guys will be back soon.”
Lark set the bowl to her side. “Yeah, good idea. See you tomorrow?”
I nodded and rubbed my hands down the front of my jeans, unsure of what to do with them.
I took one step away but then leaned back to drop a kiss on her cheek before heading straight for the door.
19
LARK
By Thursday night,I found myself comfortably surrounded by the chatter of the Bluebird Book Club. Prepared this time, I brought a tray of mini pastries I had begged Huck to set aside for me. For some reason, I really wanted to make a good impression. Though I knew I wasn’t staying in Outtatowner long term, I sought their approval—their acceptance of me into their little secret society.
