“See. It was just that . . . her whole face lit up when she thought I told her we were together. She didn’t question the sabbatical thing at all.”
Avery picked up her glass of wine and took a long gulp. Luke sighed.
“I know, I know. I lost it, Avery. I should have prepared a better story to tell my mom about why I suddenly quit my job and what the hell I’m doing with my life and I’d planned to figure all of that out on Sunday night and Monday and then Sunday night I met a hot woman at a bar and Monday I found out she was my new boss and that drove everything else out of my head so I was vastly underprepared for that dinner with my mom and so when she beamed at me like that when she thought I said you and I were dating I just went with it.”
He shook his head and took a breath.
“I’m not usually like this. I procrastinated applying for new jobs for weeks, I lied to my mom—I don’t do things like this! What’s wrong with me?”
Avery patted his hand.
“You’re having a quarter-life crisis. I didn’t expect it to happen to you, of all people, but that’s exactly what this is.”
“A quarter-life crisis? I’m twenty-eight. Exactly how long do you think I’m going to live?”
She brushed that off with a quick flick of her hand.
“That job did a number on you! Those people sucked, that job destroyed your confidence, it made you feel unworthy, which you’re not, but I know you won’t believe me.” He tried to smile at her, but she just shook her head. “I’m glad you’re going to be up here for a while—you need to get your swagger back.”
He hoped his face looked as skeptical as he felt.
“How long have you known me? I don’t think I’ve ever had ‘swagger,’ Avery.”
She rolled her eyes.
“You know what I mean.”
Yeah, he knew what she meant.
“I did sleep with my new boss the other night, if that counts?”
Avery giggled.
“Good point, but that feels like an isolated incident. More of that, though.”
He laughed, and then sighed.
“Anyway, I’m sorry for involving you in all of this, even though I did it accidentally. I feel like such a child, lying to my mother about all of this.”
Avery shook her head.
“Luke, you’re talking to someone who still hasn’t told her mother that she broke up with Derek. I just have to text her and get it over with, but I’m dreading it. I get it.” Her face relaxed into a grin. “But you and me? Gross.”
“I’m a little offended that your reaction to the idea of dating me seems to be abject horror,” he said.
Avery rolled her eyes again.
“Yeah, yeah, you’re a great catch, I love you with my whole heart, and I can’t wait for you to date a woman worthy of you, but we all know it’s not going to be me. It’s still hilarious to me that your mom keeps wanting us to get back together. While we were dating, I thought she hated me.”
Luke laughed.
“Yeah, well, she’s mellowed some over the years.” He paused. “About some things.”
Avery looked at him over her wineglass.
“Okay. I owe you one. After last week, and everything. You can keep up this pretense with your mom—I won’t blow your cover.”
He shook his head.
“Avery, no, you don’t have to do that. You don’t owe me anything. I did all of that for you because I’m your friend and I love you.”
She touched his hand, for just a second, and smiled at him.
“Fine, I don’t owe you anything. But I’ll do this for you anyway. Because I’m your friend and I love you. Not like your mom wants me to, but still. We’ll let her think so for a little while.”
Was she sure about this?
“You don’t have to do this, just because I’m a coward.”
She narrowed her eyes at him.
“One, you’re not a coward. Two, if you tell your mom you quit, you’re going to try to rush yourself back into another tech job, and you need a break. Let her keep thinking this for a while, chill out, work at Noble, lust after Margot. Okay?”
Well. That last part wouldn’t be too hard.
He nodded.
“Okay. And Avery? Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She took a sip of wine. “Just promise me you’ll let me know if you’re cheating on me with your boss.”
He thought about Margot, smiling at him as they walked back from the tour today.
“If only.”