“Seriously?” I joke, glancing in the mirror.
She laughs, amused and gesturing at the same time.
“You don’t have to tell me. But I suspect I'm right since you can’t tell me or you don’t want to tell me. You’re giving me these half-assed answers as if you’re constantly questioning whether they’re the right ones. People who tell the truth don’t need to do that, and you didn’t use to do that either.”
I stop her with a flick of my hand.
“Okay. All right. I’m not in love. And yes, we’re on better terms.”
“Liar,” she tosses at me, laughing.
She gestures at me.
“I don’t blame you. And sorry for being so intrusive. I know how these things work, and sometimes it’s better not to talk about them. I figure you still have a job.”
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
“Yay.”
She does a comical happy dance in her seat.
“What’s new with you?” I ask, hoping to move away from the topic.
“Nothing. We’re having the Christmas party next week.”
“Already?”
“Yeah. December is around the corner. You forgot?”
“No, I didn’t…. Yes, it is…” I murmur pensively.
I can’t believe I’m so disconnected from the snowy winter reigning supreme up north.
“We’ll go out and do some Christmas shopping when I return. All right?” I ask, moving my focus to my phone screen. “Oh, oh… I need to go. I want to get there on time,” I add, tense again.
“All right. Have fun.”
“I will.”
I put the phone down and start gathering my things.