"I was thinking of making pizza for dinner," I tell her.
"So?"
"So, do youlikepizza?"
She peeks at me over the top of the book. "Make whatever you like. I'll make my own food," she replies, eyes narrowed.
"I'm making for both of us, little rabbit, stop being so damn difficult!"
"Yes," she scoffs.
"Yes? Yes, what?" I blurt out, throwing my hands in the air. Dammit, this girl infuriates me.
"Yes to pizza,obviously," she sasses calmly.
I stand up from the sofa, shaking my head.Why am I smiling again, though?
Having fun with her attitude again.
One thing is for sure, I can't be bored with her around.
I'm chuckling as I walk away, amused by how much I'm actually enjoying having her living with me. Sure, I don't trust her for shit. That'll never change. But things could be worse, considering she's an Abashin.
***
Later that evening, standing in the kitchen with bowls of pizza toppings spread around the counter, I secretly wish that Nikita would come and make pizza with me. But she's in her room.The biggest room in the cabin.
On the counter, my phone rings. Using the dishcloth that's slung over my shoulder, I wipe my hands clean before answering a number I don't recognize.
"Yes?" I say gruffly, unsure who to expect. No one phones me. Not ever. I made it this way to stay hidden and keep a low profile.
"Bardil?" I recognize his voice immediately.
"Simon?" I ask, shocked.
Simon sided with Marlen when my older brother stabbed me in the back and allied with our enemies. Simon hangs out with the Abashins and the Shevs. Why is he calling me now?
"Dude, it's been a while. Hey!" he laughs.
It's so damn good to hear his voice.
Excitement spills through me, dopamine curving my cheeks into a smile.
"It's been a bit of time, yes," I grin.
"How are you? How have you been? It's weird not having you around," he says. "No one steals my beers from the fridge anymore," he teases.
My heart warms.
Simon. My brother. My family.
"I've been good. Just keeping my head down, you know. After… After everything."
"Yeah, yeah. I've been busy too. Working on the businesses. They're growing over the last few months," he tells me.
"It's good you're busy. What else have you been up to besides work?"Damn, it's seriously good to catch up with my brother.
"Ugh, you know. This and that. Where are you hanging out these days?"
