Fix Me

“Thanks,” I said, wrapping my fingers around the glass she put in my hand.

We slowly walked to the cottage. The warm evening air felt good. I had been inside the whole day. She knocked on the front door of the cottage and I suddenly felt very foolish.

“Is everything okay?” Luke asked.

“Fine,” Mel answered. “We were wondering if Lisa would like to hang out for a bit. We’re having ourselves a girl’s night and thought we would invite her over.”

I had no idea what was being said between them without words. I felt completely in the dark—literally. “Are you sure you don’t mind me crashing your party?” Lisa asked.

“I would love to have you over,” I said with a big smile.

“Can you handle being alone?” Lisa said, I assumed to Luke.

“Yes, go. You’re on my last nerve as it is.” I heard laughter in his voice and knew he was teasing. I was happy to know they had made up or at least were on better terms than they had been.

“We’ll have her back before midnight,” Mel promised.

The three of us walked back to the main house, Mel’s arm hooked through mine like we used to do when we were younger.

“Who are you?” I heard Lisa ask.

Mel burst into laughter and I quickly realized we had made no introductions. “I’m sorry,” I said. “This is Mel, my best friend. Mel, I suppose you figured out the woman in Luke’s house was his sister. At least I hope you’re his sister.”

“I’m his sister,” Lisa said with a small laugh. “Although, I don’t know if he’s always willing to claim me.”

Mel poured more wine for all of us, placed orders to several different restaurants and then we all settled into the living room once again. I quickly changed the music to something a little more mellow. It was hard to have a conversation with club music bouncing off the walls.

“How long are you in town for?” Mel asked.

“I leave tomorrow.”

“So soon?” I asked with surprise. “I thought you were staying a few more days?”

“Luke has convinced me to go see my mother,” she answered. It was clear she wasn’t looking forward to the idea.

“You don’t sound thrilled,” Mel commented.

“I’m not, but it’s been a long time.”

I wanted to ask about the mom, but refrained. Luke had been very close-lipped about it and I didn’t want to stick my nose where it didn’t belong. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you,” I said, which was the only thing that came to mind.

Lisa laughed. “I doubt it, but I’m going anyway. Tell me about you and Luke.”

I almost choked on my wine. “What do you mean?”

“He told me you guys are on a bit of a break while you figure out what your next move is,” she answered in her usual blunt way.

Swallowing the wine, I waited for Mel to jump in and help me out. She didn’t. “Luke and I are waiting until after we know for sure what my future looks like.”

“Bree tells me you know the doctor that wants to do the surgery,” Mel chimed in.

“I do. We all grew up in the same area. I didn’t really spend a lot of time with Ellie, but she and Luke were very close.”

I flinched at the word. “Close?” Mel asked and I could have kissed her. She was digging for information and saving me the indignity of sounding like a jealous girlfriend.

“Friends,” Lisa said. I wondered if she was smiling when she said the word. If she was, that would indicate she knew why Mel was asking and was okay with it. I hated not being able to see expressions! “They were only friends. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Are you talking to me?” I asked.