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He lets out a wry laugh that I hear muffled through his chest. “I do.”
“I’m okay, I swear. We got to talking about Columbia, and one thing led to another, and there might have been a mock trial—”
“Did you win?”
“You know I scored the highest.”
“Prosecution or defense?”
I pull my head off his chest and look up at him with my most serious, professional expression. “Prosecution, Grandpapa. I’m surprised you had to ask.”
The corners of his mouth lift. Both hands come up to my face.
“I was worried sick, Lily-bug.”
It’s only because I’m so close that I see his face change.
It happens onsick.The distress in his face twists into disgust. It lasts for the length of that word exactly and disappears like evidence at an unscrupulous police department.
“I’m sorry. I should have found a way to call once my phone died.”
Grandpapa shakes his head. “Phones.”
“I know.”
He lets out a breath.
It’s done, I think. We’ll have something to eat. He’ll ask me questions about the mock trial. I’ve done enough of those in my life to tell a good story on the fly.
“Lily-bug.” I’m ready to smile and accept dinner. I’m ready to steer the conversation in the direction of Jameson and his family without using their names so I can gauge Grandpapa’s response. “I’m so very happy you’re home.”
“I’m happy to be—”
“And I’m so very disappointed that you’d lie to me like this.”
The relief on Grandpapa’s face falters.
Or there’s another emotion that’s fighting to come through.
Like cold resolve.
Likeanger.
I keep my eyes wide, my brain stuttering to a halt. There’s a reason I put so much time into succeeding at school. I had to be extra-prepared, because I can’t always guarantee an appropriate response when I’m caught off-guard.
“Lie to you?” The question will buy me a few seconds, at least.
“Security found your car in the lot at the end of the street. The vehicle was unlocked. What was I supposed to assume, Lilith?”
“Millie—”
His eyes go flat. “There was no study group. I had security contact your friends.”
“That—” Feels like a massive invasion of privacy. Last week, I might have made a lighthearted argument. That could be dangerous now. “I can see why you would. It’s my fault you were so worried.”
“Is it?”
Emotion’s back in Grandpapa’s eyes. A glint, like he holds all the cards and he knows it.
