Unexpected by Meg Jolie Read Free Book Online Page B

house?”
    I had to think about it. “I don’t really know.”
    “I can’t remember, either,” she said. “But the other day, I offered to pick her. Then later, I offered to drive her home. She wouldn’t let me do either. After I started to think about it, she’s been doing that for a while. Don’t you think that’s kind of odd?”
    Willow didn’t have her own car. So Jamie and I frequently drove her around. Neither of us minded. We both knew, though we would never say anything to remind her of it, that her family was having financial problems. She had brought it up one time. When she told us they were moving. Jamie and I had listened without interrupting.
    “I’m only talking about this once,” she’d said. “And then I don’t ever want to bring it up again.” So she’d told us about how her family was struggling. She’d clearly been embarrassed so we hadn’t pressed her on the issue. We’d just tried to be as supportive as possible.
    “I know she hates her new house,” I said sympathetically.
    I’d only been there a few times . It was a small rental. A major downgrade from their previous, gorgeous home. She and her sister had to share a room. When her parents’ business started to struggle, they’d had to make a choice. Get rid of their business, or get rid of their home. They decided the home had to go. The business, though struggling, at least brought in a little bit of income while the house, obviously, did not.
    “Maybe she’s just feeling self-conscious,” I suggested.
    “Maybe,” Jamie agreed. “But it’s not like we haven’t seen it before. I mean, we’ve both been there. And I thought she said things were picking up for her family? And even if she does hate the new house, I thought she hated having her parents drive her around even more.”
    I couldn’t argue with that.
    “Another thing…” She faded off. A concerned wrinkle appeared between her brows. “Does she look like she’s getting really thin?”
    I hadn’t noticed. Very likely because I’d been throwing myself an extended pity-party over losing Corey. I instantly felt like a horrible friend.
    “I haven’t noticed,” I admitted with a grimace.
    “She is,” Jamie said decisively. “I know she was chatty while you were here, because she was teasing you about Tristan,” she said with an eye-roll. “But before that, she was really quiet.”
    “Did you ask her about it?” I wondered.
    Jamie nodded. “She acted like nothing is wrong. And maybe it’s not,” she said with an unconvinced looking shrug. “But that’s why I wanted to ask you if you’d noticed anything.”
    “I haven’t. But I haven’t really been paying attention,” I finally admitted. “But I will. I’ll try to talk to her, too.”
    Jamie was satisfied with that response. “So,” she began with a questioning look, “how do you feel about your mom going away for the weekend?”
    “Honestly?” I said as I crinkled up my face. “It’s kind of weird. But she seems really happy. So I’m happy for her.”
    “Have you met him yet?” Jamie wondered. I’d told her I was going to mention it to my mom.
    “Not yet. But with the way things are going, I wouldn’t be su rprised if I met him soon. You know, I hope things work out for her. When I move out this fall, she’ll be all alone in that big house. I don’t want that for her. If this guy keeps making her happy, maybe she won’t be alone by then.”
    “You really think they’re that serious?” Jamie demanded.
    “Maybe not yet. But you know, that’s still half a year away. And if things keep going the way they seem to be going…then yeah,” I decided. “I guess maybe we’ll just have to see how this weekend goes.”
    “You know, if you want to stay here tonight, you can,” she offered.
    “Thanks. But I’m—”
    “In the middle of a fabulous book that you had to force yourself to put down so that you could come over,” she interjected with a laugh. “I know. But if you