Page 78 of Playing Pretend

“Thanks, Liy. I appreciate the help.”

She laughed. “That’s what friends are for. Are you enjoying your time in Buttfuck, Egypt?”

It was my turn to laugh. “It’s North Carolina, not the middle of nowhere.”

“Anywhere that isn’t Manhattan is the middle of nowhere to me.”

“You’re such a city girl,” I teased.

“And maybe you were a good ol’ country bumpkin in your past life.”

“I’m coming back,” I assured her. “I just needed to get away, and spend some time with my Mom.”

“I understand,” replied Aaliyah. “Just don’t call me and tell me you’ve met a hot cowboy named Tucker who milks cows for a living.”

“You’ve been watching way too many western movies with Landon.”

“Firstly, it was the Longest Ride, and there was more riding going on that night than watching.”

“Oh dear God, I’m hanging up now.”

Aaliyah snickered and yelled “Call me later!” through the phone just as I ended the call.

And before I could take my next breath, I got the sign I was waiting for.

My phone pinged with a Google alert, and a photograph popped up.

Caleb was pushing a stroller down 5th Avenue, and Natalia was hanging on his arm. They were smiling. A perfect little family.

That was the part that gutted me the most.

I deleted the alert, and followed it up with a text to Aaliyah letting her know I’d be taking the apartment, and that I’d be back on Tuesday. The door to the flower shop opened, and my Mother stuck her head out.

“Are you ready to grab lunch, sweetheart?”

I shut my phone off, and gave her the brightest smile I could. “So ready.”

And I wasn’t just talking about the food.