“I should go,” Ruby said when I didn’t say anything. She looked angry, but she sounded hurt. And even though I was the one who had panicked and tried to stop her coming, I hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings. I didn’t like seeing her feel that way and I definitely didn’t like knowing it was because of me.

“Please don’t go,” I said, and I was surprised and embarrassed to hear a break in my voice. I wasn’t going to cry. That was stupid.

“You obviously don’t want me here.”

“No. It’s not that. I mean, OK. I tried to stop you coming. But I was nervous. My dad. He’s weird and annoying and I’m afraid that if you meet him you definitely won’t want to finish the montage.”

It was half the truth. He could definitely do or say something that would put an end to this thing. And I realized how much I wanted to keep it going now that she looked like she might walk away.

“Because your dad is weird?”

“Well, it sounds stupid when you say it.”

“No, trust me, it sounds stupid when you say it too,” she said with a smirk.

I laughed and took Ruby’s hand.

“Please. I’m a dick, I know, but I promise it was not about you.”

Ruby looked at me, appraising my excuse. It was weak.

“Fine. But you better make it up to me.”

“Oh yeah?” I waggled my eyebrows suggestively.

“As if. How about next time you’re nervous about something, you actually tell me the truth and we talk about it instead of making up silly stories.”

“Well now, that wouldn’t be very rom-com of me, would it? The guy always gets himself into a stupid situation because he tells some ridiculous lie. If anything, I’m just really committed to our bit.”

“You’re not the guy,” Ruby pointed out. “That’s the whole point. Neither of us is the guy. In the lesbian rom-com, we would discuss all of our feelings until our throats dry up and our bodies shrivel.”

“I promise. No more lies,” I lied.

“I found the candlesticks!” Dad said, appearing with two completely different candlesticks. Why did we have two sets of candlesticks but only one Christmas-themed tablecloth?

“What are you going to study at university, Ruby?” Dad asked around a mouthful of flavorless stir-fry.

“Dad, honestly. Stop grilling her.” I grimaced. “You’re not a guidance counselor.” I shook my foot nervously, wondering when this would be over and whether or not I’d survive it, relationship intact. Of course I’d told Ruby to stay, but that meant I had to be more vigilant than ever. My secrets were bombs that could detonate at any second and the only thing that was making me happy these days would explode.

“Oh, for God’s sake. That’s the first thing I’ve asked.”