She ignores me and rummages in the fridge while I grab two glasses.
"I don’t like him. He’s just... smarter than he looks. At the restaurant, he helped Steven fix the bakery’s books in ten minutes. And he’s your friend. I don’t want to make things complicated for you, but if he pisses me off tonight, I’ll throw him down the stairs."
I set the glasses on the counter. She adds ice and we sit across from each other, sipping apricot juice in the summer heat. "He’s a special guy.” I say.
"They’re all interesting and special to you," Maggie mutters.
I giggle. "I was right about Vincent!"
She rolls her eyes and sets her glass down, still half-full. "All I said was that he doesn’t look like shit and has a nice voice. I never said I like him."
"I know you like him," I insist. "You two are the same. Two sides of the same coin."
She rolls her eyes. "Bullshit."
I can’t stop smiling. To me, it’s obvious. I honestly think Vincent could be the kind of support she never lets herself ask for.
"What time are they coming?" she asks.
"Steven texted. He, Vincent, and Will are on their way. Sam left earlier on his bike so—" The doorbell cuts me off. "Oh, they’re here. I’ll get it!" I start walking toward the door.
"I’ll grab the chips and popcorn," Maggie says.
I turn back. "You sure? We can just say we didn’t have time to buy anything. You know they don’t—"
She interrupts me, pulling out two bags of chips, a bag of popcorn, and white chocolate–covered pretzels. "I bought your favorites," she says, almost smiling.
I sigh. "Yes, but—"
"Go open the door," she cuts me off again, her tone soft but firm. "Everything will be fine."
It should be me reassuring her, not the other way around. She’s the one who needs me. But she always finds the strength to be taught. I swallow my worries, nod, and plaster on my best enthusiastic grin as I answer the door.
Steven, Vincent, Will, and Sam are in the hallway, mid-conversation. Sam’s peppering Vincent with questions, while Steven looks two seconds away from taping his mouth shut and Will’s recording them, laughing.
I lean against the frame, amused. Will notices me first and rushes over, turning the camera on us. We make faces and take pictures of us until Steven’s voice interrupts our session.
"Sam brought ice cream," he says, pointing at the tub Vincent’s holding.
"You and Willy carried it half each, so technically we all bought it," Sam declares as he pushes inside. "Where’s my beautiful Evangeline?"
Will and I laugh. Vincent sighs, relieved by Steven’s interruption, and thanks him under his breath.
Steven shrugs, then comes to me. He slides an arm around my waist and kisses me gently. "Hey, babe."
I loop my arms around his neck, smiling against his lips. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Will rolling his eyes with an amused expression and stepping inside. Vincent follows, fists clenched tight. His nails dig into his palms.
What was that for? Sometimes I wish I could read his mind.
Steven closes the door behind us. Will is rearranging the couch, Vincent studies the pictures on my walls, and Sam sits atthe counter, grinning at Maggie. She throws popcorn in his face before carrying bowls of snacks to the table.
"Can you grab the Just Dance discs from my room? Third drawer of my nightstand," I ask Steven.
He kisses me again before heading off. Fleur, my dachshund, darts out of the room straight to Vincent, who lights up instantly. I walk over as he scoops her up. His smile softens his tired features.
He had to work this morning, then a shift at the restaurant, then cleaned with Will,andhad a meeting with Dr. Jenkins. He must be exhausted. I know he only came tonight because of me and Steven.
I stand beside him and he runs a hand through his dark hair, then focuses on the wall again.
