62
" So you were checking up on me?" I aks
"No," Noah says. He puts a faux-shocked look on his face, then turns back to his magazine, pretending to be engrossed. I take the magazine our of his hand and toss it back onto the table.
"That's good," I say, "That you weren't checking up on me. Because I'm totally fine."
"I know." He shrugs.
"And I don't need to be checked up on."
"Definitely not."
"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
"Perfectly."
"So we agree."
"Yup."
"So then where are you clothes?"
"What?"
"Your clothes," I say. "Where are your clothes? You came to the Laundromat so you must have some clothes." I fold my arms across my chest and wait,
"Oh, my clothes," he says, giving me an easy grin. "I didn't come here to do laundry."
"Oh, really?" I say. "The what were you here to do?"
"I was here," he says, rolling his eyes like it should be obvious, "so I could go across the street to Cooley's and check my schedule for the week."
"And you just happened to see me coming into the Laundromat?"
"Exactly, "
― Lauren Barnholdt , Sometimes It Happens
77
" Hello?" I say, sounding upbeat, and like I'm happy to be on the phone. I decide to pretend it's my imaginary girlfriend. Fuck pretending to be nice.
"Yo, " B. J. Says.
"What's going on, honey?" I say, trying to glance at Courtney out of the corner of my eye without her noticing that that's what I'm doing. She's going through her bag, probably looking for more makeup, so she can make herself look good for Lloyd.
"Honey?" B. J. Asks. "Jordy, I had no idea you felt that way about me. I have to warn you, though, I happen to be in a very committed relationship. "
"Yeah, I miss you, too. "
― Lauren Barnholdt , Two-Way Street
79
" I couldn't tell you how I felt before talking to Ava, and I felt like I couldn't talk to Ava until she got back. But then last night, there you where, and you looked so beautiful, and I couldn't stop myself anymore. But I shouldn't have done it, I should have stopped it, I should have put you first. I was trying to do the right thing, but all I did was fuck everything up. With you, with Ava, with your friendship... "
― Lauren Barnholdt , Sometimes It Happens