Page 134 of Let's Kiss and Tell

I take a sip of the hot, black liquid, hoping that it wakes me up enough to give a good impression. “I’m a news writer.”

“Oh wow!” Selena turns away from the stove to face me. “Do you work with Lucy?”

“Kind of,” I say. “I write forThe Journal.”

“Wooow,” Selena says, looking at Jonathan, but his eyes are still glued to his iPad. I’m positive we’re only white noise to him. “How long have you worked atThe Journal?”

“About a month,” I say, realizing how short it’s been. “I used to work freelance for different publications.”

“I keep telling Lucy that she should freelance!” Selena says. “Isn’t it better money that way?”

“Uh, not always. It just depends how consistent the work is,” I say. “But Lucy has it great atThe Rue.Have you been reading her column lately?” I ask, wondering if she’s aware of Lucy’s new “relationship.”

Selena waves a hand dismissively. “Oh no, Lucy doesn’t want us to read anything.”

“It’s all bullshit anyway,” Jonathan says under his breath, but loud enough that it causes me to turn my head to him. I want to ask him what he means, but Selena continues talking.

“She’s always so secretive about what she writes. She says,Mom, you wouldn’t understand.So, I just leave it.” Selena throws her hands up.

“Well, she’s a very talented writer,” I offer, intending it more for her dad than her mom. “She writes about these really cutting-edge topics.”

Jonathan just lets out a scoff.

“Anyway,” Selena says, passing me a plate of rice, longanisa, and two fried eggs, “how come Lucy didn’t tell us about you?”

“Thank you.” I graciously accept the plate. “Aren’t you two eating?”

“Jonathan will eat. Don’t worry about me.” Selena plops a ketchup bottle in front of me. “So,whydidn’t Lucy tell us about you?”

“Um”—I start cutting a piece of sausage—“I think that maybe she wanted to wait until the right time?” I tread lightly, really hoping that my answers are vague but enough to satisfy Selena’s inquiries.

“We’venevermet anyone that Lucy’s dated,” Selena says, walking Jonathan’s plate to the couch.

I look up. “Really?”

“Never.” Selena says. “You know how Lucy is.”

Then, like a tornado, Lucy swings open her bedroom door and she barrels out. Her hair is a mess, she’s still in her pajamas, and it’sveryclear she’s not even fully awake.

“Mom?!” she cries out in a panic.

“Morning, honey!” Selena beams.

“Dad?” Lucy runs out and is staring at the three of us, jaw dropped. “What are you doing here?”

“We just landed and wanted to say hi!” Selena walks over and gives her a hug. Lucy’s body is limp, and she stares at me in horror.

“W-why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” Lucy pulls back and her eyes dart back and forth between Selena and Jonathan.

“We wanted to surprise you.” Selena walks back to the kitchen and prepares Lucy a plate.

“I gave you a key foremergencies,” Lucy practically shouts. “You can’t just show up whenever! Jesus, Mom!”

“She’s so dramatic.” Selena looks at me wide-eyed like we’re in on some inside joke.

“I’msosorry.” Lucy walks toward me, looking devastated.

“It’s okay,” I assure her. “Really. Your mom has been so kind and made me breakfast. We were chatting. It’s great. She’s great.”