“Double agreed,” I confirm, downing the rest of the bubbles, letting them slip down my throat with ease as a knock comes from the door.
“Oh, hopefully that's food,” Meadow says excitedly, rising to her feet as she darts to the door.
I startle as it opens to reveal Dorian on the other side, and my heart starts to race.
“What are you doing here?” Meadow asks before I can blurt the same words from my lips, yet his eyes still find mine over her shoulder.
“Truth?” he asks, and I gulp.
“I don't think I can bring myself to hear it.”
He offers me a tight smile. “Food,” he starts, extending his hands, piled high with half a dozen pizza boxes. “And surveillance,” he adds.
I roll my eyes.
“Of course.”
“I also come with a plus side,” he continues, offering me a wink before he steps aside to reveal three familiar faces: Greta, Aster, and Cami.
I lurch to my feet with excitement at the new arrivals, and the air is quickly filled with squeals and giddiness as they filter in.
We take turns embracing, and I find myself in Greta’s arms when she turns to Dorian with a smile.
“I’m going to assume surveillance can take place from the hallway,” she clarifies, and Dorian shakes his head.
“Archer insisted on the inside.”
“Archer can fuck off,” Greta says sweetly, a second before Aster slams the door in his face before he can retort. “No offense,” she adds, turning her full attention my way, and I shrug.
“None taken. Besides, what are you doing here?”
Cami rolls her eyes, arms laden with pizza boxes, as she leans against her sister. “We're always going to be invited to girl time,” she explains, and I smile, taking in the fact that we’re all wearing the exact same pajamas.
“Now, someone hit play on the movie, and someone else open the pizza boxes. I'm starving,” Aster declares, diving onto the bed to choose the same spot she took last time.
Giddiness fills the air, a bubble of excitement swirling around the room as we all fall into a comfortable silence, Ember too, who perches herself on the top of the headboard as Meadow starts the comedy movie.
Laughter continues to flood the room as we stuff our faces with pizza, getting lost in the movie, but I’m repeatedly brought back to the present, losing myself to something much closer too. I can’t stop watching the girls and Greta interact. It's fun seeing them be so open and carefree, leaning into one another and showing love in a light I've never seen before.
It's almost too much to watch, but it only heightens when Greta wraps her arm around my shoulder, tugging me against her side as she reaches for Meadow’s hand.
How do I always feel the strongest in the presence of these women?
It hurts my heart with joy, a sense I felt earlier when I was standing side by side with Meadow, and I know I’ve only truly felt it in the presence of one other too.
Hugo.
“Thank you for coming,” I blurt. “For showing up, even when I didn't know I needed it,” I mutter, and Greta kisses my temple, making me melt at her motherly touch.
“My girl, I will always be here.”
Athudvibrates from the doorway, shattering our moment as all six of us snap our attention toward the sound.
“What was that?” Aster mumbles, and I gulp, straightening my spine as I swing my legs over the side of the bed.
“There's only one way to find out.”
29
