Besides, I have a thousand other things to worry about. Like making sure everyone is eating, and ignoring Matt’s come-hither looks.
Finally, one of Matt’s friends arrives with a large tray ofJell-O shots in her hand. Everyone groans on cue when they spot it. Wow, I’m definitely too old to party like that.
I take it to the kitchen and hide it deep under the counter, where Matt keeps the old dishes he doesn’t use anymore. I doubt anyone will come looking for them anytime soon.
Laughter and loud conversations fill the room, and everything smells like cinnamon, butter, and chocolate. The tree we bought is now covered in lights and mismatched ornaments.
Everything looks perfect.
Other than Elliot sitting on a chair in the corner, looking almost nervous now. That scares me a bit. The only expressions I’ve ever seen on his face are smiles, smirks, and anger. So, I pile a small plate with cookies and take the empty chair beside him.
“Hey man, not your scene?” I offer him the plate.
He looks at it for a second before accepting one. “Not feeling all that great today,” he says, his eyes trained in front of us. His posture looks closed off, which is a surprise. Although Elliot was never a people person, he’s great at pretending to be one.
Maybe he’s having an off day. Stop being a judgmental asshole and entertain your only guest, Oliver!
“So how are the patients? The iguana—”
Bree’s loud voice from the couch interrupts me. “We’ve heard so much about you, Oliver! Matt practically never stops talking about you,” she says, grinning widely.
I’m not surprised to find that the Jell-O shots have managed to make their way to the coffee table.
“So, did you like your gift? He made us look all over the city for that book,” she adds.
Yeah, okay. I’m now fully red. Matt looks a little worried on the other side of the room. Not an expression I’d have expectedfrom the words Bree is saying.
Camilla laughs beside her. “He must have loved it, honey. How about we get some food in you?” she suggests, clearly still a bit sober.
“Those damn shots,” Bree mutters.
Camilla nods solemnly.
Nick brings a chair and sits beside me once Camilla takes Bree to the kitchen. Elliot goes back to staring ahead. Sloan is now loudly singing some song I’ve never heard before.
I hear the sound of my phone ringing somewhere in the house. Ugh, where is it? I excuse myself and follow the faint noise.
As I pass Matt’s bedroom, I hear Camilla and Matt whisper screaming at each other.
“Why don't you just tell him? He’ll understand, Matt!” Camilla is saying.
“Just stop, Cami, I can’t right now—” Matt suddenly stops and turns to look right at me. “Oliver?” His voice goes from the devastated near whisper to normal in seconds.
“I was looking for my phone.”
“Let’s look for it.” He places his palm on my back and nudges me out of the room, completely ignoring Camilla.
I glance over my shoulder and find her smiling a small smile, looking at Matt’s hand guiding me.
In the kitchen, Marcus is shuffling through the cabinets. “You don’t have any glasses, man!” he complains.
“Yeah, don’t want you guys to get too comfortable here. I already see your ugly mugs a little too much,” he teases.
“I can get some from my place,” I offer.
“Yes, see? Oliver is a grown, adult man,” Marcus points to Matt.
Matt rolls his eyes.
