“Yeah, everything’s great.” Flip shifts closer to me.
“So awesome!” I chirp.
Hammer and Hollis appear next, followed by Everly and Victor.
“Hammer! Everly! Yay!” I wave both hands manically in the air. “Come join us! The water feels great!” I sound like I’m channeling a Muppet.
Everly jumps right in next to me, and Hammer takes the other side. Hollis squeezes in beside Hammer and wraps his arm around her.
Flip’s arm drops into the water.
Hammer leans into me and whispers, “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s great.” I sip my margarita.
“You sure?” She wrinkles her nose. “There’s a vibe.”
I round my eyes.
She rounds hers back.
“There isn’t,” I whisper.
“There is,” she refutes. “Like omegaverse alpha energy vibes.”
So it’s not all in my head.
And what does that mean for me and Flip, if anything?
The addition of our friends seems to be the magic we need. Although Flip is quiet. Eventually the guys’ stomachs start rumbling, though. Flip is first out of the tub and he brings my towel to me, holding it open and wrapping me up like a burrito. Probably so I don’t flash everyone my ass.
I shower off the chlorine and check my messages before I head down to help with dinner. Ties is out with his robotics friends, and Fenna is having a sleepover with her best friend at our house.
I call Fenna to check in.
“How’s it going?” I ask as I pull on a pair of leggings.
“Great! Abby and I played cello for a while. We’re helping Mom make spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and cheese because it’s our favorite, and we have cake for dessert. We’re watching movies after dinner and making extra buttery popcorn.”
I smile. “That sounds like a lot of fun.”
“Yeah. Will you be here tomorrow to make oliebollen?” she asks, sounding a little distracted. It’s been a long-standing tradition that we get together on New Year’s Day and make the Dutch treat as a family. I can’t say I’m sorry to be missing it this time.
“I can’t make it tomorrow. I’m in Huntsville, remember?”
“Right. I forgot. We’ll save you some. Do you want to talk to Mom?”
“It’s okay, I have to help make dinner. I’ll message later.”
“Okay, bye, Tallulah.”
“Bye, Fenna.” I end the call, relieved she’s having fun and that my absence tomorrow won’t ruin her day.
I message Ties.
Tally
Be safe tonight.
