Page 41 of The Matchmaker Club

8

Operation Sneak-Out

Lucas had his usual glass of Scotch out on the porch, Kindle in hand. At precisely 8:30, he headed upstairs, giving me a quick glance and gesturing for me to come up too. I nodded but didn’t move from my seat.

My grandmother lay on the sofa, reading herWeekly World News. “Did you know that a horse was born with a human face back in the nineties?”

“I liked the whole ‘Tom Cruise is an alien’ story better.”

She chuckled. “Yeah, that was a good one.”

Lainey set down her wooden butterfly on the side table and started on a raw chunk of wood. I picked up the art piece and rubbed my hand over the detail. “Lainey, this is really good.”

“You think?”

“I’m not kidding. So much detail.”

She smiled. “I really like doing it.”

“So, what are your plans tonight?” my grandmother asked.

I stretched out my arms, pretending to think. “I don’t know. Thinking of listening to some tapes and journaling for a bit.”

She set the paper in her lap. “Staying in on both a Friday and Saturday? That’s not like you.”

Crap. I probably should’ve gone out last night.

“Did you and Thelma have a fight or something?”

I waved her off. “The only person Thelma likes fighting with is Ben. We’re fine.”

She sat up, narrowing her eyes at me. “Is something going on between you and Lucas?”

I snorted. “Um, that would be a no.”

“Hmm.”

“I’m not sleeping with Lucas.” I did a crisscross sign against my chest. “Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.”

She rolled her eyes and picked up the paper again. “If you say so.”

I nonchalantly strolled up the staircase. Lucas opened his door, and I instantly put my finger to my lips. I mouthed the words,give me your phone.

He held out his arms and mouthed,what?

I shot up my index finger for him to wait and tiptoed to my bedroom. I wrote out my number and told him to text me on a sticky note. Lucas was still there. He took the paper, nodded, and closed the door. I slapped my palm to my forehead when he didn’t shut it quietly.

Setting my phone to silent, I plopped down on my bed and waited for his text.

L: It’s me.

My thumbs slid across the screen.

T: Hi, me.

L: Haha

T: It’s lol