They all murmur hellos.
“Iz, this is Kai,” he points to the sweatpants man, “Carina,” pink hair, “and Nate. I’m sure you’ve guessed that this is my sister, Tess.” He nods at her.
I give a little wave to say hi.
We settle into the living room. Carina demands Enzo make her a hot chocolate after seeing mine.
It’s a little squished, despite the lavish size, so I end up squashed between Enzo and Carina.
“Well, this is cozy,” Nate states, laughing to break through the slightly awkward tension.
“How come you guys are here?” Enzo asks, shifting to pull me into his lap so I’m more comfortable. I try to fight him off, feeling awkward sitting on him in front of so many people, but he holds me firm, muscles tensing around me to keep me in place.
Tess is the one to answer. “Well, it’s Kai’s birthday tomorrow, and I thought it would be a fun treat for him to come to New York.”
Kai snorts. “Yeah right, Hurricane. Don’t pretend this trip is for anyone but yourself.”
She pouts. “It’s a little about me. But also, for you.”
He rolls his eyes at her, kissing her forehead and holding a hand lovingly on her bump.
Enzo squeezes my waist, leaning in to whisper, “You okay?”
I nod, melting back into him. “Yeah, your friends are a lot.”
He chuckles. “Nah, it’s only Tess that’s a lot, the others are pretty chill.”
“So,” Nate starts, “what’s the plan for sleeping arrangements?”
Enzo glowers at him. “You guys can stay in one of the emptyapartments.”
Tess pouts at him. “But I want to wake up with us all in the same place.”
“There isn’t enough space,” Enzo explains. “I only have one guest room and Izzy is using it.”
Tess deflates.
“You can sleep in my room. I can take the sofa,” I offer, hating the sadness in her expression.
“Oh no, I don’t want to kick you out of your room.” She waves a hand at me dismissively. “It’s okay, we can sleep downstairs.”
My mind races.
“Unless…” All eyes snap to me. “I could sleep in Enzo’s room?”
“Where would he sleep?” Tess asks, some excitement returning.
I blush. “We used to share a bed all the time as kids—it’s not a big deal.”
Lies. Now, whenever we sleep together, every nerve in my body wakes up. And yet, somehow, I feel calmer than I ever have before.
Tess considers my offer. She nods. “Okay, so you and Enzo in his room, Kai and me in the spare—pregnancy perks, sorry not sorry—and Nate and Cari on the sofa bed.”
Everyone shrugs, on board, except Enzo. I wait for his reaction.
He looks at me, expression filled without something I can't quite explain. I'm almost convinced he's going to say no. Then he sighs, as though the answer pains him. “Alright, fine.”
Tess squeals, running over to hug him, which is awkward given my position, so I end up with a mouthful of babybump. “Yay!”
