Nothing More

Nora stays quiet as I start. After the sugar and butter are blended, I add the vanilla and milk. I carefully add two drops of green food coloring and Nora claps her hands as I mix it in the silver bowl.

After a minute or two of quiet, Nora stands up and walks over to me. She unwraps the cake and throws the Saran Wrap into the trash. I dip the spoon into the icing and spread it across the vanilla cake.

“Aw. Look at you. Decorating the cake all by yourself. You’ve come a long way, young grasshopper.”

I laugh at Nora’s banter and she nudges me with her shoulder.

She looks at Lila. “Who does she belong to? I didn’t think to ask.”

“She’s my friend Posey’s sister. Posey had to work this morning, so I offered to watch her. She’ll be here in an hour or so to get her.”

Nora looks at me in that way that she does and I feel like she’s reading every thought of mine. My pulse quickens.

“You’re something else, Landon Gibson,” she tells me for the second time in two days.

I flush under her compliment and I don’t even care if she notices.

“You’re good with her.” I point the green-icing-covered spoon toward Lila.

“Me? Good with kids?” she says with genuine surprise.

“Yes,” I tell her, and press the tip of my index finger into her nose the way she pressed mine yesterday.

“Hey, you stole that from me!” She turns her shoulders so she’s facing me, only inches away from my face.

I rub the spoon over the top of the cake, making sure to get the corners. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I look up at the ceiling, then back at the cake.

Nora nudges me again. “Liar.”

“I’m a liar and you keep secrets. We’re the same—”

The words are out before I can stop them, and I hate the way her face immediately changes from carefree to guarded.

“That’s not the same. Secrets and lies aren’t the same,” Nora defends herself.

I turn to her and drop the spoon onto the edge of the pan. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry.”

Nora doesn’t look at me, but I can see her guard lowering with each breath. Finally, she speaks. “Promise me something?”

“Anything.”

“You won’t try to fix me.”

“I . . .” I hesitate.

“Promise me.” She holds her ground. “Promise me that and I’ll promise not to tell lies.”

I look at her. “But you’ll keep secrets?” I ask her, already knowing the answer.

“No lies.”

I sigh in defeat. I don’t want her to keep secrets.

“Is this my only option?” I ask. Again, already knowing the answer.

She nods.

I contemplate her offer for a few seconds. If this is the only way she’ll let me get closer, it’s all