Catching Teardrops (MAC Security 5)

Standing awkwardly in the small entryway, my gaze skirts over the gray painted walls and the framed photographs, but the images don’t register.

“Come on in.” She waves me in, stepping into the living room and pointing to the sofa. “Have a seat; I’ve just ordered some pizza.”

“Pizza?” My eyes widen as I follow her.

“You like pizza, right?” Her hand lands on her chest. “I should have asked! I’m sorry, I just—”

“I like pizza,” I interrupt, frowning at her as she grins. “But why did you order it?”

“Because I was hungry.” She laughs, throwing her head back. “Nothing that a couple of slices can’t fix though.” She rubs her stomach before padding through the only door in this room that I know leads to the kitchen.

I stand stock still, not knowing whether to sit or stay standing, but when she comes back in with two cans of soda, she points to the sofa again before sitting down in the chair next to it.

Worrying my lip, I open the can before taking a small sip and sitting with my back ramrod straight. Questions fly through my mind as she flicks on the TV, clicking on a romance movie I’ve never watched.

We sit in awkward silence for a few minutes before she says, “Go on, ask me.”

“I’m sorry?”

“I can hear your mind turning from here.” She pauses the movie. “I see the way you stop yourself from saying what you really want to, Lily.” She smiles gently. “I remember the kid who used to say what she was thinking without a second thought. But something happened between then and now. And I…” She looks away, her chest rising and falling as she takes a breath. “I think that’s partly my fault. I promised your mom—”

I gasp, tears immediately springing forward and threatening to fall. “No.”

“Sweetheart.” She stands up, moving toward the coffee table and sitting in front of me. “I haven’t been there; I broke my promise. I know that.” She clasps my hands in hers, and when I look in her eyes, I see the truth shining through. “Your mom confided in me that day… I should have done more. I should have…” She shakes her head, her features falling. “I didn’t realize… not until Sunday.”

“R…” I croak, clearing my throat. “Realize what?”

She frowns when I pull away, but her attention doesn’t move off my face as she takes everything in. “You’re not read

y,” she whispers before standing up and shaking her head. “Tuesday evenings are yours now, Lily.”

“Wh—”

“This isn’t bible study; this is your chance to do something normal… to be out of that house.”

I know what she’s saying, but neither of us voices it. We can feel it in the air, we know the truth, but we’re coasting around it, afraid what the other person will say.

I open my mouth, about to tell her that I don’t need Tuesday evenings because I can be me any day of the week. But it’s a lie… a lie I don’t want to tell, so instead, I nod and smile even though it’s forced.

“Good… now let me introduce you to Nicholas Sparks.”

“Nicholas Sparks?”

“Yep.” She sits back down in her chair, clicking play. “You’re gonna love this.”

I lean back on the sofa, bringing the can of soda with me as I watch the open sequence to The Lucky One.

The doorbell rings about twenty minutes later, and Kim leans forward, opening her wallet and handing me some bills. “Can you grab the pizza, sweetheart?”

“Sure.” I stand up, taking the money from her before walking toward the front door. I’m about to pull it open when it’s pushed. I squeak, my hand flying to my chest as a guy fills the doorway—and when I say fill, I really do mean fill.

His eyes connect with mine, the ice blue shining brightly. “Kim?” I don’t know what to say or what to do because all of his attention is on me, not wavering as Kim moves forward.

“Luke! I didn’t know you were coming over tonight!”

“I paid for your pizza,” he tells her, his deep baritone flowing through me. I shiver at the deepness causing him to zone in on the action. It’s then I realize this is the same guy who was standing at the tree on Sunday.

“Well don’t keep standing there! Come on in. Lily and I were watching a chick flick.”