Page 75 of Pierced Pages

Lila okay?

“There,” she said. “Happy?”

“It’s not me who needs to accept that I’m happy.”

“I accept it.”

“You still don’t trust it.”

She’d spent most of her adult life pushing people away, afraid to feel judged or used or any number of shitty things. Jen had been the only person she’d let in after cutting ties with her family. The only person she could trust. So it was hard to imagine that she could trust anyone else. Or, as Jen put it, trust her own happiness.

The phone dinged, and Morgan balanced the popcorn on her legs as she checked the message.

Lila will be fine. Thanks for asking.

Morgan showed Jen the text.

“See? Told you.”

“You were right,” Morgan said. “Now what?”

“Now, you make a gesture.”

“A gesture?”

“Yeah, like with the soup. A soup gesture,” Jen said. “But not soup again. Never soup twice.”

Morgan laughed. “Okay, not soup. Other food?”

“Probably fine.” Jen waved her hands at the phone. “Ask.”

Can I bring you guys anything?

Dinner later?

She could speed-run some groceries between Jen and dinner. She’d make it work.

Thank you, but we’re fine.

Morgan couldn’t help thinking there was more to Danielle’s replies. They were short and clipped. Not Danielle’s normal style. Could something really be wrong with Lila, even though Danielle said they were fine?

“What’s happening?” Jen asked. “Your brow is doing that thing it does when something’s wrong.”

“What thing?”

Jen shrugged as she petted Reginald’s head. “It’s a weird scrunchy thing just on one side. So what’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. I feel like there’s something she isn’t telling me.”

“Probably just distracted with the kid,” Jen said. “Did you offer food or whatever?”

“Yeah. She said they’re fine.”

“Then maybe they’re fine. Maybe someone else came over or brought food.”

That could be it.

Melanie would be the first one over, so she probably beat Morgan to the offer. Or maybe Danielle’s other friend was over helping out. Gerri? That was her name.