Page 102 of Let's Kiss and Tell

“Hi,” I say. She’s even prettier up close. Not a damn pore on her face. She’s also a good seven inches taller than me. I feel like I’m sandwiched between two giants.

She smiles and then awkwardly looks at Marsh. “I wasn’t sure if you were coming.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Marsh says. “Sadie’s my niece.”

“Yeah, um”—Julia quickly looks at me and then back at Marsh—“I was wondering if we could chat for a second?”

“What’s up?” Marsh says.

Julia’s eyes cut to me again and then back to Marsh. “Oh, I meant…” She gestures to literally anywhere I’m not standing. She means in private. Like without the woman who she’s known for seventeen seconds watching them.

“I can step outside,” I say.

“That’s not necessary,” Marsh replies firmly.

I can tell by the fake smile plastered on her face that she’s highly uncomfortable with having this conversation in front of me.

“Marsh.” Julia gives him a look that transcends his name. It’s a look you give someone who knows you like the back of their hand. She’s telling him something else with her eyes that naturally hecan understand. That’s what almost a decade together does. “Please.”

Marsh sighs and then looks at me. “I’ll be a few minutes. I’m sorry—”

“Don’t be.” I squeeze his elbow. Maybe I can’t telecommunicate to him the way Julia can, but I’m hoping he knows that this is okay. “Take your time.”

He gives my hand a squeeze, and the two of them step into the closest room. It’s then I realize I was holding my breath.

This whole time I was worried how hard seeing Julia would be on Marsh; I didn’t think it would have an effect onme.

19

Marsh

“How are you?” Julia asks as we enter Oliver’s office. Even though it’s eighty degrees outside, she wraps her arms around herself like she’s cold.

“Don’t do this, Jules.” I shake my head. We haven’t seen each other in a year, and I’m not about to play catch-up now.

“Do what?” Her eyes become wide.

“The small talk. What did you want to say that you couldn’t say out there?”

Her posture suddenly changes and her arms drop. “Is that her?”

“You’re going to have to be more specific,” I say.

“Is that the girl you were with when you ran into Dani?” she asks.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, more amused than anything. “Yes, Lucy is thewomanI was with.”

“And you brought her here? To meet the family?” Her expression flickers. “Is it that serious?”

“I don’t see why that’s any of your concern,” I say.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit fast?” she prods.

I let out a laugh. “I’m not the one gettingmarrieda year after we broke up.”

She frowns. “That’s different, Marshall.”

“I don’t see how it is.”