He stopped.
Only for a second.
But I noticed.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Sophie changed groups.”
Adrian opened the refrigerator.
“Maybe that’s for the best.”
Lily looked at him.
“What does that mean?”
He closed the refrigerator.
“Nothing.”
“You said it’s for the best.”
“I mean if someone wants distance, you give it to them.”
Lily frowned.
“But I don’t know what I did.”
“You may not have done anything.”
“Then why should I just let her disappear?”
Adrian leaned against the counter.
“Because sometimes people make choices you won’t understand.”
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
I looked at him.
“You sound like you know something.”
His eyes moved to mine.
“I don’t.”
“You sounded pretty sure.”
“I’m trying to keep Lily from chasing someone who’s treating her badly.”
That sounded reasonable.
Almost.
But Adrian had known Sophie since she was five.
He had driven both girls to school events.
Helped them with science projects.
Taught Sophie how to change a tire when her mother’s car broke down.
For years, he had treated her almost like another kid in the family.
Now he was strangely comfortable letting that relationship disappear without a question.
That bothered me.
Lily stood.
“I’m going upstairs.”
Adrian said:
“Don’t let this ruin your whole week.”
She stopped near the doorway.
“Easy for you to say.”
Then she left.
I waited until I heard her bedroom door close.
Then turned to Adrian.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
He sighed.
“Claire.”
“What?”
“Teenage friendships change.”
“This one changed overnight.”
“That happens.”
“Not after eleven years without a reason.”
He began clearing plates.
I watched him.
“Did Sophie tell you something?”
“No.”
“Her mother?”
“No.”
“Then why are you pushing me not to ask?”
He looked at me.
“I’m not pushing.”
“You are.”
“I’m saying maybe Lily should protect her dignity.”
“By never finding out whether she did something wrong?”
