So help me, if she’s invested in another pyramid scheme. Junie’s last job had involved more MLM than actual work, and it had been expensive as hell to extricate Mom from her own trusting nature. Sometimes her mother frustrated her so much that—suddenly, her attention sharpened, because Junie was answering the question.

No. Oh no.

“—because it’s time we revisited the idea of moving in together. I don’t have much, so you wouldn’t have to get rid of any furniture to make space for me. And you have the guest room all ready to go. It would be so much fun! I could even join your coven. I want us to be closer, LeLe, and this is definitely the way to make that happen.”

Leanne’s mouth compressed. “First, don’t call me LeLe. Next.…” She took a breath, fighting to keep her emotions in check.

Words clawed at her brain, desperate to escape. You don’t get to just show up in the middle of the life I built and expect me to accommodate you. Our entire lives, you did exactly what you wanted, and now that you’re lonely, you expect me to give in again and make room for you. But instead of speaking the truth—ironic because she was known for pulling no punches in other aspects of her life—the most ridiculous lie of all time popped out.

“That would be amazing, but unfortunately, my boyfriend will be moving in soon, and it would be awkward taking the next step with you living with us.”

Junie stared at her in astonishment. “I had no idea you were even seeing anyone seriously. Oh, I’m so happy for you! What’s his name? What’s he like?”

Before Leanne could answer, her phone rang. That number wasn’t in her contacts, but she fully intended to confuse the hell out of the telemarketer on the other end of the line. She faked a brilliant smile, gazing at her phone with what she hoped was a sufficiently gooey expression.

“Hey, sweetheart. I missed you.”

There was a brief pause. Then a familiar voice said, “Uh, really?”

Trev. This was a lot better than a random sales call. “Definitely. I’m glad you called. I was just telling my mother about you.”

Please don’t hang up. I’m not normally like this.

Another pause, longer this time. “Seriously? That’s…I don’t even know what to say.”

Leanne laughed as if he’d made a joke. “Don’t worry, she’ll love you.”

He made a strange noise. “Wait, are you…? Oh. You’re using me as a ruse, right?”

“You’re so smart,” she said.

“Then I’m glad I called. Should I push my luck by asking you out, or do you just need to fake a conversation with me for a while longer?”