Page 40 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

“Same here,” said Jonas as he eyed Mae lovingly.

Mae looked up at him before quickly looking away. Gosh, he was really good at this whole pretend thing. She had to remind herself it was all for show.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have to make a phone call.” She pulled her cellphone from her purse and walked away. She needed to get away. How was she supposed to distance her feelings from Jonas when they were about to go public with their relationship? It was hard enough putting on a show for Braydon, but now they had to show the world how in love they were. She wasn’t sure if she would be able to distinguish between the façade and reality.

She needed to talk to someone. She scrolled through her phone and stopped at her best friend, Lindsay, and hit the call button. After a few rings, she heard the other line pick up and her best friend yelling.

“Jack, get down from the table! You’re going to give me a heart attack. Ellie, don’t feed the dogs!”

There was the sound of clatter and dogs barking and then heavy breathing.

“Hello?” said Mae.

“Oh shoot. Hello? Who is this?”

“It’s me.”

“Mae! Hi! I’m so sorry. It’s a madhouse over here.”

“I hear that.”

“These kids are trying to kill me,” whispered Lindsay dramatically.

Mae let out a laugh. Lindsay had been her best friend since high school, and although their lives were drastically different, they still remained closer than ever. Lindsay lived in the suburbs, close to Mae’s old house. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Brad, and they had two kids, Jack and Ellie.

“Who said having two under two was a good idea?” asked Lindsay, exasperated.

“Uh, you did. You said you wanted to get it all over with in one swoosh.”

“Oh, right.”

“How would you like to meet me in the city for lunch?” asked Mae enticingly.

“Now?”

“Mhmm.”

“You’re speaking my language. I’ll be there in an hour.”

When Mae walked through the front door of Mabel’s, she saw Lindsay already at the bar being served a glass of wine.

“You starting without me?” asked Mae, taking the seat next to her.

“Oh, hi. I got here a little early. Brad has the day off, so I got out of there before he could change his mind.”

Mae signaled the bartender. “I’ll have what she’s having.”

After Mae was served, they clinked their wine glasses together and took a sip.

“Mmmm.” Lindsay closed her eyes. “Just what mama needed.”

“Same,” said Mae, letting out a sigh.

Lindsay opened her eyes and shot Mae a look. “What’s up?” she asked skeptically.

“Nothing.” Mae shrugged innocently.

“I’ve known you for fourteen years. I know when something’s up.”