Malcolm agreed. And Mallory.
“You sorry suckers.” Frank shook his head. “You’re gonna be in for it. Definitely die. Love ya, dear.” He grabbed Holly’s arm. “But we’ve had a good run.”
“I’ll go down with you,” Holly said. “Kill me now. But really.”
Next, it was Danika’s turn, and as she thought about the question, she imagined her boys at her funeral. This only amplified her anger.
“Live.”
“Die,” Abby said next, not offering explanation.
“Spicy,” Jackie said. “But for me, live, live. I just hope I’d stay twenty-seven forever.”
“Me too,” Joshua Mike added.
Joshua was next to ask a question: Would you rather throw a Fourth of July party or spend the holiday alone? Everyone said party until Danika. She told him to guess, despite Bill glowering.
It was Bill’s turn next, and he changed the tone, asking which of the two most popular restaurants on Aldon Lakes Boulevard people would pick if they could eat at only one forever. It ignited a full debate, which Danika found pathetic. Neither restaurant was good. Malcolm followed Bill’s lead, asking if people would rather give up alcohol or Culver’s (another ridiculous question with a unanimous response); then Mallory asked if they’d rather visit Europe or South America; and Frank asked if they’d rather eat a stranger’s toenail or drink their piss.
Finally, it was Danika’s turn. And as the attention landed on her, Danika knew she was officially drunk. She blinked a few times, her mind blank. She felt resentful then that she had to be part of thisdog and pony show—to host these obnoxious people in her home. She felt her frustration growing alongside her dizziness. She took another sip and smacked her lips.
“Fine.” Danika was ready to challenge them, an animal instinct taking her over. “Who would you rather fuck, Abby or Jackie?”
Instantly, she felt the heat of Bill’s fury. She didn’t look at him. Jackie forced a laugh so loud it hurt Danika’s ears. Everyone—including Jackie—knew Abby was better looking.
“You don’t have to answer.” Bill swung his head. “I think it’s almost time for s’mores.” He slid back his chair, half sitting up.
“What? Sure you do,” Danika said. “This is just getting good. I answered all your questions.”
She crossed her arms, relaxing backward, as silence settled in. It was getting darker, and she looked down at her wrists and arms, admiring the way her skin glowed in the candlelight.The most gorgeous woman in the room.Joshua Mike’s words came back to her.
“I’ll take Abby,” said Holly. “You’re kind of mysterious.” She twirled a finger.
Abby said thank you. She turned to Danika, waiting.
She loves me, Danika suddenly thought, her confidence peaking. She sipped her wine and spilled a little on her chin.
“I’ll take them both.” Joshua Mike draped his arms across their chairs. The three of them looked at one another, exchanging glances, and Danika knew she had been right.
“Who would you choose?” Abby shifted forward, now turning to Bill.
Without missing a beat, Bill finally stood up.
“Okay.” He slapped his hands together. “That’s enough.”
Everyone went silent as if scolded. Then, out of nowhere, Jackie screamed.
It had happened so quietly—in comparison to the screeching of Bill’s chair, his loud clap—no one had noticed that as he stood, Bill pushed his place mat forward, which knocked over a glass vase. This in turn angled one of the flowers directly above a candle, and seconds later, the entire strand of dried leaves weaving down the center of the table had caught fire. It spread like gasoline as everyone scrambled backward, screaming.
Danika didn’t move—not even as the heat pressed into her face like a suffocating hand. In fact, she felt calm.How poetic, she thought as she watched the fire lick the air: The evening was already going up in flames.
12
Before the noise erupted from the porch, Augie had felt surprisingly at peace. Once they’d finished serving and returned to the kitchen, sitting down to eat with Chat and the kids, she felt oddly safe, giddy—she loved listening to Zami tease Chat about his sweet tooth, claiming he ate an entire cheesecake in an afternoon.
“It was two afternoons.” Chat raised two fingers while chewing.
“Not to mention you set the record for pieces of baklava.”
