She takes it from my hand and opens the clasp. I had a new one put in since the old one was broken. I wait anxiously as she places the chain around her neck and closes the clasp. Her fingers smooth the polished stone gently against her throat. “Thank you for keeping it safe for me.”
“Anything for you, princess.”
For the first time, she doesn’t complain when I call her that. We walk back to where Julien’s waiting for us and I grin ear to ear on the inside. She’s wearing my heart again, she let me call her princess, and she’s forgiven me. Now I get to spend the evening with her and my brother like old times. Spaghetti has never sounded so good.
Liz has been humming the entire time she’s been in the kitchen helping prepare dinner with Julien and Elijah. I was relegated to staying out of the way. I don’t mind one bit, because it’s allowed me to watch Liz. She’s so goddamn gorgeous in her short shorts, tank top, and blond hair pulled up in a messy bun. This is how it should have been with us. Me and her in our space, cooking dinner, relaxed and happy. The only things missing are my hands around her waist and my lips devouring hers.
“When’s Ryder coming home?” Julien asks me as he stirs the spaghetti sauce. We bought chickpea pasta as Liz likes to eat gluten-free even though she’s not allergic to wheat like she is dairy.
I’m a little surprised when Liz answers the question. “He’s racing tonight and won’t be back until late,” she says casually, then stops. Her head snaps up and she looks at me. “He, um, texted me earlier.” I raise my eyebrows and Liz turns back around and attacks the cucumber for the Greek salad she’s making with a fervor, cutting it into tiny square pieces.
Elijah’s at the sink draining the pasta. “This is really nice. Like old times.”
Julien stops stirring the sauce and points his wooden spoon at him, dripping sauce on the floor. “Not like old times, E. We are making new memories, remember?”
“It’s fine Julien. I don’t mind if we talk about before.” Liz finishes dicing the cucumber and walks over to where I’m sitting at the counter island, a slice of cucumber between her fingers. “Open.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I let her pop the cucumber in my mouth and she licks her fingers. Yep, we’re definitely making progress, I tell myself. Liz walks over to the sink and hip-bumps Elijah out of the way so she can wash her hands.
“Salad’s done,” she says. “I made a bowl for Ryder for when he comes home. Got any plastic wrap so I can cover it and put it in the fridge?”
I pop off my stool and go to the pantry to grab it for her.
Elijah places the drained pasta in the pot with the sauce. Julien mixes everything together. “All right everyone. Dinner’s ready.”
“Living room?” I suggest.
We all take a seat on the floor around the coffee table. I make sure to sit across from Liz for two reasons. The most important one being so I can look at her while we eat. The second is to show her that I’m capable of not being too pushy and am able to stay out of her personal space, something I failed to do this morning.
As soon as we start eating, Liz’s phone rings. She placed it on the coffee table when she sat down. “I need to take this. Sorry.”
She raises the phone up in front of her face and smiles brightly. “Hey, Daniel.”
We all hear, “Hey, sweetheart. Is it a bad time?”
“We just sat down for dinner. Hold on.” Liz stands up and comes around the table so she’s behind me. She motions for Julien and Elijah to come closer so we’re all in the video shot.
“Is Drew there with you?”
“He sure is. Hold on.” Daniel’s camera shifts and we see a man. His face is gaunt with black circles under his eyes and he’s wearing a beanie over his head. His voice, when he speaks, sounds tired.
“There she is.” Drew smiles. “Looks like you have some company.”
“Daniel, Drew, this is Jayson” — she pats me on to the top of head to indicate who I am — “Julien, and Elijah.”
“Ah, yes. The childhood friends. We’ve heard so much about you. Where’s the one named Ryder?”
“He’ll be home later,” she tells them.
“Well, it’s good to officially meet you boys and put faces to names. I apologize that we haven’t met you all in person yet. That’s why we’re calling, actually.”
Liz squeals, “You’re coming?”
“I am,” Daniel tells her. “Drew will stay here.”
She frowns but tells them, “I understand. But I’ll be there for Christmas break, Drew. I can come Thanksgiving too if you want.”
Drew shakes his head. “No changing your plans to accommodate me. I’m doing well. I promise. I assume she’s told you boys about my health issues.”
