I sighed as I pursed my lips. I had to be the worst liar on the planet.
"Fine, just don't make it a big deal that I know. He said he was going out with some friends tonight," I said.
"And? I know that's not all."
"Gosh, you can be a real ballbuster when you want to be, you know that?" I asked, teasing her.
"Idoknow. Gabriel tells me all the time," she said with a grin. "Now spill, are you seeing yourfriendGideon later? Just because he's going out with some friends, it doesn't mean you can't see him afterwards."
"I heard that, how you saidfriend. I know what you're thinking, but really, that's all he is. Maybe he'll text me later, but that's it. For the last time, we are just friends. Nothing more."
Cassie pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at me as she tried to figure out if I was lying.
"You know friends sometimes make the best lovers. You've never thought about something more with him?"
I squirmed in my seat and looked away, wanting to hide my lack of a poker face from her.
"No, never. I've only ever thought of him as a friend," I said.
"Ah-ha," Cassie exclaimed as she pointed at my face. "You scrunched! You just lied." She drew out the last word, making it last several seconds as she laughed. "I knew it! You're into him."
"I am not into him. Is he gorgeous, funny, and one of my best friends? Yes. Have I ever wondered what he's like in bed? Yes, fine, I'll admit I have. But that's it. I don't have time for a boyfriend anyway. Plus he and I would never work out. We're friends, that's it. Nothing more."
"Hmmph," she said after taking a sip of her drink. "I don't believe it. There's more there between the two of you. Maybe you're just not realizing it yet, but I'm sure of it."
"Trust me, if there was, I would tell you. You know I can't keep secrets," I said. "Anyway, I baked brownies. Do you want one?"
As Cassie nodded, my cell phone vibrated in my pocket. I set it down on the counter near the brownie pan, hoping she wouldn't notice while I read my text. The last thing I needed was to give her more ammunition.
Gideon:Text me if you want to do something later.
Becca:I thought you were going out with your college buddies.
Gideon:Yeah, but you're more fun.
The corners of my mouth tugged up into a smile.
Stop it! Cassie is getting into your head. It means nothing. You're just friends. Nothing more, remember?I chided myself.
Just as I was about to reply, Cassie shifted in her seat to face me. I casually slipped my phone back into my pocket and tried to hide the smile that spread across my face.
* * *
After Cassie left, I headed straight to my bedroom and climbed into bed. As I lay in the dark, my phone lit the room with a new text. I didn't have to look to know it was Gideon.
Gideon:Still up?
Becca:Cassie just left.
Gideon:Oh? Have fun?
Becca:It was nice, talked about a bunch of stuff.
Gideon:Anyone I need to worry about?
Becca:What do you mean?
Gideon:Never mind.