“Good. You’ve been dancing around this for weeks.”
“I know. I have a plan, remember?”
“Meh, plans are like rules. They’re meant to be broken.”
“Not this one. It’s better this way.”
“If you say so. So did you at least tell him that you were interviewing?”
“No.”
“Alyssa!”
“I know. I will. I just… didn’t want him to talk me out of it.”
“Regardless, you’re lying to him. That’s not like you.”
“I know, all right. Fine. I’ll call him now and confess. It’ll be easier since I’m already on my way.”
“Coming clean is the right thing to do. Maybe you should go ahead and tell him you’re in love with him while you’re at it.”
“No. I’ll tell him about the interviews, but the other stuff, I’m sticking to the plan.”
“Fine. Can I go back to sleep?”
“Yes. Thanks for listening.”
“Always a friend. Kick ass and call me after.”
“Okay.” I laugh as she hangs up the phone, probably already halfway back to sleep.
I think about Sterling and how he stopped just to see me for a few minutes and to hug me. Lying to him about the interview is wrong. Tapping my steering wheel, I say, “Call Sterling.”
“Tink?”
“Hey. How’s breakfast?” I ask him.
“Didn’t go. Blakely woke up not feeling well, so we’re going to try another time. Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I’m on the road. Listen, there’s something that I need to tell you, and you’re probably going to be mad.”
“Babe, I just saw you. What could have happened between now and then that could piss me off?”
“I’m not going to be with my mom all day. Just part of the day.”
“Okay?”
“I have two job interviews today.”
“Hell yes. Why would I be mad about that?” he asks.
“They’re both in Atlanta.”
Silence greets me.
“I’ve been applying for anything and everything that I’m qualified for, and I got two calls yesterday. They were both willing to meet with me today. I’m meeting my mom after for lunch and some shopping.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”