“You’ve got everyone about ready to shit themselves.”
Yemi’s knowing smirk and arched brows have me chuckling as I approach her at her back door. She eyes the plate in my hands, and I contemplate keeping it to myself.
These cookies are so damn good.
I accidentally ate three before I left the kitchen.
“You don’t seem worried at all.”
She shrugs, taking the plate I finally offer. “I’m not. I’ve been thinking about the worst things you could come in here and say. To be honest, none of them are bad enough to make me freak out. The closest to it is if you tell me I have to go to the Abandon with you next time.”
I cringe. I don’t foresee me asking her to join me if, by some chance, we have to go before our trip.
Afterward…well, if we fail, I still don’t plan on her coming with me. I don’t know if someone’s going to force that, though.
“Ugh, I don’t like that look at all.”
“I know. I swear I’m not asking you to go to the Abandon with me. Does everyone want to eat or talk first?”
“Talk. Well, Havar’s already eating. He said he wasn’t letting you spoil his appetite. We might be lucky to get food.”
I snicker at her jab at him. She really is a great cook, though, so it wouldn’t be hard for Havar to eat all her food. She could give Creed a run for his talent.
I may very well, if this goes okay, set up a cooking competition between the two of them. It’ll be a good excuse for me to stuff my face and be a nice little bonding moment for them since she’s still the most hesitant with him.
As soon as we walk in, the laughing ceases, but the smiles on Lambrit’s and Rose’s faces settle my instant doubt.
Rose’s gaze is tender even as it moves from Lambrit to me and I find myself increasingly appreciative of her. Not only has she made him incredibly happy as far as I can tell, but she’s also been so welcoming and accepting of our friendship.
Never once has she made me feel like she’s only my friend because of Lambrit. Hell, there have been times she’s called him out gently for calling me out.
Yemi and I cross her living room to her counter, and I smirk at Havar’s puffed cheeks.
“What?”
“Knew you were getting us into some shit when you suggested a big dinner together.”
I grin deviously as Yemi elbows him in the ribs, causing him to choke. “How about you don’t talk with your mouth full, you savage beast?”
“You know…you’ve been taking her side a lot lately over mine and I don’t appreciate that,” he sputters and we all laugh at him as he wipes his mouth.
“She doesn’t drive me mad. You, on the other hand…”
“What’s driving me crazy is not knowing what’s going on. Ready to jump in, Thay?”
I wasn’t. I was enjoying the banter starting up, Lambrit.
I, of course, don’t say that and instead pull one of Yemi’s counter stools out and make myself comfortable.
“Havar, Rose, you’ve both been told about how I didn’t want to come here and how I ended up here, right?” They each look at the person responsible for telling them and I laugh to ease their nerves. “It’s okay, I figured by now that would’ve been shared among you all.”
Here goes nothing.
I let it all fall out. And I mean everything.
Each time I pause to suck in air, they prepare to say something, but I don’t let them. I continue to let it all pour out of me.
From the moment Havar picked us up in Oddian, to this moment right now, I don’t skip a detail. Every moment that passes, I see the multitude of emotions flash across each of their faces.
