Page 71 of More For Me

Mom’s voice comes faintly over the line. “We’re getting ice cream with Lele,” Vega says. There’s a pause while Mom talks. “I thought you were coming home tomorrow…Okay…. I’ll tell them…See you soon.”

She tucks the phone into her purse. “Mom and Dad just landed. There was a problem with the venue where the charity thing was being held so they just wrote a check and came back. She said they’re having dinner at Aunt Sam’s if we want to come.”

“Sweet,” Presley says, gathering her purse. “Silas and I can get some rehearsing in.”

“Are you going to come, Lele?” Santana asks as we all stand up.

Since I’m a coward and I’m afraid to go back to my house, I think about it. But I have no idea what family will be there. Just because dinner is being held at Sam and Cash’s place doesn’t mean half my cousins and aunts and uncles won’t show up. The thought of seeing Rose or Will or the others after the way I acted last night makes my stomach hurt.

“I think I’m gonna try to get some work done,” I tell her. “Next time, okay?”

She slips her arm through mine as we walk out into the California sunshine. “Just go home and talk to him,” she says softly, so the other girls don’t hear. “You’ll feel better.”

“I can’t believe I’m getting dating advice from my baby sister.”

“You know I’m right.”

She is. I do need to grow up and talk to Bodhi. But somehow, after hearing that news from Santana, I’m feeling even more scared to have this conversation.

I drop the girls off at the house with promises to talk to them tomorrow, then turn in the direction of the FEA Threads offices. It should be just about empty on a Saturday afternoon, which is exactly what I need right now. I can start a pot of coffee and spend some time working on Juniper Cain’s gown. I need to get my thoughts in order before I go back to the house, and sewing is the best way I know how to do that.

My plans all go to hell when I pull into the parking lot. There’s one other car there—the same car I drove home from dinner last night. And sitting in the driver’s seat is Bodhi.