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“So did I! I want to know what their deal is.”
“And for your meal?” I ask.
“I dunno, this pizza is pretty great. Maybe that?”
I scoff. “That’s probably why they’re haunting you; even the dead find your choice of toppings offensive.”
An hour later, the pizza box is empty on the floor and we’re exchanging jokes. Surprisingly the pineapple and green olives were more tolerable than I expected. That said, I plan on introducing her to more human-like combinations in the future.
“What’s the difference between a pickpocket and a Peeping Tom?” she asks.
“I don’t know, what?”
“The pickpocket snatches watches,” Anna says, barely getting the punch line out through the fit of giggles. She’s so tired that she’s crossed into nonsensical territory.
“Bartender, cut her off!” I announce.
Her laughter eases into a sigh. “You know . . . This is kind of fun.”
As much as I love the rush of sneaking around her place, especially while she’s in the shower or in the other room on a work call, lounging around on her couch, talking about nothing at all is even more enjoyable. She has a way of calming my energy; I don’t need to entertain myself, or her. Anna makes it easy.
This all began as wanting to keep an eye on her, ensuring she was safe in her own home. Then she got under my skin and piqued my curiosity. And now? Now it’s evolved into something else entirely, I just haven’t decided what to call it yet. One thing is certain, I like her, and that feels a hell of a lot more dangerous than simply hiding in her walls.
“Of all the Anna Kuceras I know, I think you’re my favorite.”
She chuckles, her voice sleepy. “Of all the Casper Carrowses I know, you’re my favorite.”
Micky sets the piping hot lasagna I made on their dining room table while I finish up the salad in the kitchen. When Rhys and I were kids, lasagna was a staple in our household. I’m hoping my offering to make dinner is a step into letting him into my life more, and vice versa.
Rhys would like me to go to more hockey games, and I’m realizing it’s because I’m his family, not just because he wants to check up on me. It’s been a work in progress to support him and be involved in his life without feeling like a burden. I’ve fucked up and fucked over my family in the worst ways. I hate that I put my brother through everything I did, but I am confident that those days are in the past, and am grateful for their tough love that got me here. At the time, it hurt, but they knew it was the only way to save me. They were right.
“Anna, water?” Rhys asks.
“Yes, please.”
He fills my glass, then his and Micky’s, from the carafe on the table and takes his seat.
I bring the salad to the table and plop down across from them.
“It feels like forever since we’ve done this. Thanks for making dinner,” he says. “So, how are things?”
“Really good, actually.”
“Getting out of the house for more than your weekly scheduled stuff?”
“I am. In fact, I went skydiving.”
He rolls his eyes. “I’m serious, Anna.”
I chuckle. “So am I. Look.” I open my phone and scroll to the video that Casper took on his wrist cam.
“I wanna see!” Micky stands from her seat, leaning over to watch and I tilt the camera so they can both view it.
“What the hell? And you didn’t tell me!” His arms shoot up. “This is awesome!”
Micky squints at the screen. “Is that Casper?”
Rhys looks up at me, waiting for my response. When I don’t answer, he continues, “How did that happen?”
