take any excuse to get away from here.”
“Well, work out the details and let me know what you come up with, okay?”
“We’ll talk later. I think I hear Mom coming up the stairs.”
“Over and out, Marshmallow,” I say.
“Over and out, Mint Chip.”
Chapter Four
So the lie is all set. I told my dad that after work today, I’m having a little late-night study session with Rory and Alex for a big test on Monday. I guess it’s not a total fib. We are going to be hanging out tonight, except it will be at a party, and we will most definitely not be studying. Unfortunately, I’m stuck at work for another three hours.
It’s been slow today in the café area at the In the Stacks bookstore where I work. The hours seem like they’re dragging by while I sit behind the barista counter. Usually I’m on the floor, interacting with the customers and restocking the shelves with the newest releases, but today I’m trapped here watching the clock. All because Monica decided to call in sick. I swear, if I see her at the party tonight, I’m going to be so pissed.
“Hey, slacker. What does someone have to do in order to get some service around here?” I hear a familiar voice ask.
Turning to look down the counter, I smile when I see Phoebe. My smile falters when her stepbrother, Parker, enters my mind.
“Hi, stranger. What’s up?” I ask, trying to act inconspicuous.
She laughs. “Not much. I was just on my way to the store down the street for a last-minute addition to my costume and thought I’d slip in to bug you.”
“Aww, you really do care,” I joke.
“Of course I do, silly.”
“So, can I get you anything? On the house, perhaps?” I ask with an eyebrow raised.
“Nah, I’m pretty well caffeinated already. I’ve had, like, two Red Bulls so far today. A coffee might just make my heart explode.”
I laugh. “Yeah, smart choice.”
“Oh, I completely forgot to tell you. Parker’s back in town. He transferred to Blackburn over the summer and is finishing out his last year there,” Phoebe says. I’m not sure what to say. I would’ve never thought she’d give me updates on Parker…ever.
Eventually, I respond with, “Really? That’s cool. I bet you guys are happy to have him back home. You must’ve missed him while he was in California.”
I break eye contact with her while I wipe down the counter with a damp cloth. The last thing I want is for her to see the look in my eyes right now. This must’ve been why Parker sent the friend request.
“He asked about you,” Phoebe says, and I start wiping down the counter even harder and more thoroughly. Could this conversation get any more awkward? “I told him that we made up. He was happy to hear that.”
“That’s great,” I reply. “Hey, not to change the subject, but I kind of have a lot of work to get done before I head out tonight. Mind if we continue this convo a little later?”
She looks around and clearly sees there aren’t any customers to tend to. “Right. Sure. We’ll talk later.”
“See you tonight,” I say as she begins to walk away.
“Definitely,” she responds, looking over her shoulder.
After watching her leave and hearing the chime of the front door open and close, I release the largest sigh I think I’ve ever let out.
“What the hell was that all about?” I ask under my breath. But I couldn’t answer my own question.
“Later, Joan,” I call out to my boss after my shift. I remove my apron, place it in my cubbyhole, and head toward the front of the store. I hear her say goodbye just as I exit out the door.
Running to my car, I jump in and start her up. I’m in a rush, anxious to beat my dad home. He’s supposed to be at the station until eight, so that only gives me about an hour and half to get dressed and out the door.
My eyes widen when I see his car in the driveway already. I hit the steering wheel in frustration and pull up to the curb next to the house.
“Well, there goes that plan,” I grumble.
While exiting the car, I see him coming through the front door.
“I was just about to lock up and give you a call,” he says when he sees me.
“Heading back into work, huh?” I comment while giving him a hug, hoping I don’t sound suspicious.
“Yeah, just had to come home because