I was in theatre all four years of high school. Time to put my acting chops to work.
“Oh, not at all,” I say brightly. “He's working so hard to save up money for the baby, he just hardly has any time to breathe these days. I'dloveto help y’all house hunt.”
I pull out a chair next to Andrea and scoot closer than I need to, peering down at the file in front of her. She blinks rapidly in surprise and flinches back.
“These are the houses you're looking at?” I ask sweetly, batting my lashes up at her.
At the very least, I can make this situation ten times more uncomfortable for the two of them. And it doesn’t hurt to remind Savannah that while she might try to take Bo from me, she's onmyplaying field. Every advantage is in my court right now, and she's losing the shaky grasp she has on her only claim.
I can't wait to see her face when it all crumbles down around her.
“Sorry, let me just text David,” Hailey says as she pulls out her phone, leaving me to deal with Savannah and her mother.
Andrea is visibly displeased at my involvement, but she doesn’t argue my presence when I flip through the listings. I have to stop myself from wincing as I look, imagining living there with Bo myself instead of him and Savannah darkening its halls. I blather on mindlessly as Hailey types out a text, waiting for her to take back over the conversation.
What’s taking her so long to tell him? She’s not a slow typer.
“There we go, sorry about that,” she finally says.
She doesn’t glance in my direction when my phone buzzes in my pocket, but it’s not hard to put together. I lean back andsubtly pull my phone out as Hailey and Andrea discuss a few of the houses. The text I’m met with is long, and I almost want to laugh as I read it.
This planreeksof Oakley.
A fake ultrasound to prove Savannah a liar in front of her mother and a healthy dose of legal action if they keep this charade up? Count me in.
I slide my phone back into my pocket and catch Hailey’s eye with a subtle nod. The plan didn’t originally include me, but if she wants me here, I’m more than happy to join. There’s no doubt in my heart anymore that Savannah is lying about all of this, and I want to see firsthand when that gets proven.
“So, I actually have a bit of a surprise,” Hailey announces.
Andrea and Savannah both perk up, Andrea in interest and Savannah in obvious trepidation. I’m wondering if Andrea doesn’t know about her daughter’s deception, but I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
“I arranged an ultrasound appointment for you, Savannah!” she says cheerfully. “You went to your first one all alone, and I can’t imagine how hard that was. I want you to know that we’re going to be here with you, every step of the way!”
She gathers the house listings and places them all back in the folder neatly as she lets the announcement sink in. I don’t think anyone but me can hear the bitterness in her voice. She’s a much better actor than I could ever hope to be.
“But I already got an ultrasound,” Savannah argues, her brow furrowing as she looks between Hailey and her own mom.
“Sure, but you didn’t get pictures!” Hailey says. “What am I supposed to hang on the fridge to show I’m a proud grandma?”
Andrea actually nods in agreement at that. Hailey tucks a few twenties beneath the condiment caddy, likely more than enough to cover the bill from their lunch, along with a generous tip.
“I would also like pictures,” she says.
It’s kind of a shame to realize that Savannah’s got her tricked too. I can’t imagine what it takes to lie to your own mom about something like this, but I don’t think it’s going to go over well.
“Glad we’re in agreement, then!” Hailey stands and the rest of us follow suit. “The clinic is just down the road. Why don’t we get going? We might be a little early, but that should be fine!”
Savannah looks absolutely terrified, and it brings a bitter pleasure to sit on the back of my tongue. Nothing I could ever say to her will cut as deep as this is about to. She deserves it after everything she put me through.
“It was lovely to meet you, Kenzie,” Andrea says, although it sounds like it pains her.
I bet Savannah has painted me as some kind of home wrecker, or has at least complained that I’m in the way somehow.
“Oh, there’s no reason to part ways so soon.” Hailey beams at me, mischief twinkling in her eyes. “Come with us to the appointment!”
Andrea looks stricken by the suggestion, already shaking her head, and Savannah is puffing up like a particularly blonde blowfish, trembling with rage.
“I hardly think that’s appropriate,” Andrea says disapprovingly. “This is a family matter, and should be kept private.”
