Page 65 of Five Years

Sort of.

“You told me as you were lugging your suitcase to the door and directing your Uber driver on where to pick you up,” Grace said sarcastically. “I wouldn’t say you gave me a lot of notice.”

“It was a last-minute decision.”

“Yeah, you said that already. But why? What did my sister say to you?” Grace probed.

“What makes you think it had something to do with Ariana?”

“Because she told me.”

“She did? What did she tell you?” Leah sat forward.

“Nothing. But now I know it was about Ariana.” She laughed.

“I hate you.”

“Was it news of the engagement? I would understand if that threw you off—I get it. As much as it’s been a long time and you’ve moved on, things like that always leave a sour taste, and it’s okay to feel hurt, Leah. Nobody would blame you for that.”

If only it was that simple. She wanted to tell Grace everything, but she was left in a compromising position. Grace would always be her best friend, but she would always be Ariana’s sister, and blood was thicker than water. The last thing Leah wanted to do was rock the boat.

“Yeah, I, erm, I guess it got to me a little more than I thought it would. I’m sorry.”

“Leah,” Grace said sternly. “Don’t you ever apologise for feeling what you feel. Next time, just come and talk to me. I want to be there for you.”

“I know. Hopefully there won’t be a next time.” She didn’t anticipate spending time with Ariana on a regular basis. “What did your family say?”

“I told them you had an emergency work thing. They’re fine. Ariana didn’t buy it, though.”

“No? What did she say?” Leah probed.

“Not a lot, but I got the feeling she knew something I didn’t. Ari has this guilty face—she’s had it since we were kids. She can’t hide it, which isn’t ideal for her, but great for me.”

In all the years Leah had been friends with Grace, she didn’t shy away from telling her anything. The late-night sexting withold flames, disgusting habits, family arguments, gossip, sexual encounters that resulted in rather questionable positions—and everything in between. There had never been a topic off-limits, or a topic Leah felt too embarrassed to discuss. Even the time she coughed and accidentally farted in the middle of a work meeting. She was mortified. She tried to blame it on the chair, but her face reached a level of red that only Santa could relate to.

“Is there anything you want to tell me?” Grace asked.

Want—no.

“Erm . . .no, but—”

Think of something to change the subject.

“I came home to a request from my neighbour. She asked if I could keep the noise down because it was too loud the other night. I told her I wasn’t even here, so she got the wrong apartment, but she doesn’t believe me.”

“You’re lying.”

“No, really, she left me a note.”

“Not about the note. You’re lying about having nothing to tell me.”

“You don’t know that.” Leah scoffed.

“Yes, I do, because you always sayermand proceed to tell me a pointless story that has no relevance to the conversation in order to change the subject. Honestly, you and my sister need to get some new ways to disguise when you’re lying.”

“Fine!” Leah sighed. “Yes, I’m lying.”

“And why would you be lying?”