Page 42 of Strictly Against Policy

“That’s why you moved all of a sudden,” concluded Eric. He sighed heavily. “I’m sorry we couldn’t be there for you. We would’ve come home as soon as you told us, but you kept insisting everything was okay . . .”

Mary nodded, huge tears streaming down her full cheeks. “I wanted to fly back, but after you called and insisted that we stay in Wisconsin, I figured it was best to just wait until we came back.”

“It’s alright,” I said. “Ever since your family moved out to the Midwest, you only get to see your sister, her family, and your mom once a year. I wasn’t going to ruin your time with them. You and Eric have already done so much to help me. I would never be able to thank you enough for all of it.”

Mary’s lips trembled, ready to say something, when I threw my arms around her shoulders. She sobbed into my shoulder. “I’m glad Jonathan was with you.” She sniffed loudly as she pulled out of our embrace. “That being said, you should date him.”

“Mary!” I quipped.

“I’m just saying! Eric doesn’t even scare your brother, and he’s a big guy! I mean, one big tub of love.” With a small laugh, she wiped the tears that escaped the corners of her eyes. She turned to her husband and lovingly squeezed one of his burly arms. “But since Jonathan does, that could be a plus if he spends nights here.”

I gaped at her before my face withered into immediate revulsion. “If he spends nights here?” I shrieked, horrified. “Absolutely not!”

Mary shrugged as she and Eric shared a smile. “He already knows where you live, so I doubt it’d be that hard to invite him over.”

“What’s the point of me going on a date with Mateo if you’re insisting I date Jonathan?” I asked.

“Lina, it’s one date. I’m not asking you to run off and elope with him,” Mary laughed. “Go and have fun!”

“Enjoy yourself!” added Eric.

“You two couldn’t have just arranged a coffee date instead?” I asked.

They both turned to look at me. Although they were polar opposites, their personalities had always blended well together. Eric brought a gentleness to Mary’s loud and boisterous personality. When they both shared the same excited gleam in their eyes and broad, ecstatic smile, I knew it was best to just say yes.

“Fine,” I huffed begrudgingly. “I’ll go on the date.”

Mary and Eric looked at each other, triumphant. “I’ll give you his number and all the date’s details,” she said, grabbing her phone.

After I finished saving Mateo’s number, Eric spoke up. “We’re going to have to head out, Lina. We were stuck on our layover in Chicago forever because of the snow, and we’re exhausted.”

“You two should stay for lunch,” I insisted.

Mary shook her head. “We ate on the way back, so now we just want to nap.”

“You didn’t have to visit me as soon as you got back.” I frowned.

“We were worried,” sighed Eric. “We also wanted to make sure you were fine.”

“But I’m always fine,” I said. “You know that⁠—”

The look they both gave me silenced me. “You weren’t fine, Lina. That’s why you moved,” Mary stated. “I’m glad you’re safe. But if you think there’s an inkling that Neng knows where you live now, let us know. We’ll come stay with you. Hell. I’d even sleep right by the door.”

She pulled me into a hug, and I gave her the tightest squeeze. “No one in my family knows. Definitely not Mai, and never my parents,” I said.

“Good,” she huffed. “They don’t deserve to know.”

I walked them out to their car despite the cold weather. As Mary was telling me about how she and Eric had arranged the blind date with Mateo, Andy bolted past us on the sidewalk. Mary gasped out loud, and then, Anthony ran by, too.

He noticed me and waved with the biggest grin on his face. He turned to look over his shoulders as Jonathan materialized out of thin air. Anthony pointed to me, causing him to look in my direction. The look on Jonathan’s face was far from welcoming. His lips pulled into a scowl, and his eyes narrowed. In a flash, his judgmental gaze raked over my messy bedhead, the hoodie I had been wearing around the house for the last two days, and the pair of old sweats I just threw on.

Jonathan gave me an obligatory curt nod. He dashed past Anthony and us with a long and livid heave. If someone claimed that he blew out smoke from his chest instead of a long cloudy puff of air, I’d believe it. Anthony waved a quick goodbye, laughing out loud, running closely behind Jonathan.

No words were exchanged between the three of us for several seconds. I watched the thoughts flashing across my friends’ faces. Mary slowly turned to me with a sinister smile stretched from ear to ear.

“Jonathan and the Hughes twins live here?” she asked.

“No,” I said. “Andy Hughes and Julie Lo are married, and they’re the only ones who live here.”