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“Bit how we used to be then, huh?” I interject, smiling wistfully and Ali lets out that soft beautiful laugh as her hand finds my arm and presses there for a beat. A beat longer than it would normally.
“Yes, Max, a very, very long time ago!”
Cassy eyes us both suspiciously as she walks towards the kitchen. Finch’s apartment is open-plan and very modern, not too dissimilar from my own. We bought them at the same time mostly because we moved out of the home we lived in together, and we didn’t want to be too far apart. I can walk here. I’ve always liked its big vaulted ceilings and the minimalist look he has. A few classy prints cover the walls and mostly black and white colours. But it’s clear in the small amount of time Cassy has been here that she’s made it her own. Finch is ultra-modern, ultra-clean and Cassy could never be described as dirty, but she was so used to having nothing as a kid that the minute we lived with Sarah she started to clutter. It was like proof that she could own things and be comfortable. There are definitely signs of Cassy clutter around this flat now.
She pulls glasses out of the cupboard as she looks back at me and Ali.
“Kyle said we’ve got wine in the fridge. Alison?”
Ali looks nervous for a second, unsure of what to say. We’ve planned to tell them both about the baby tonight, it’s why we organised to come round but now we are faced with actually saying it’s hard. I smile at my sister.
“She’s driving,” I say quietly and Cassy nods. I’m sure her mind is going crazy, she knows we can walk from mine and it’s quicker than driving. We’ve come in together so I’m sure she’s wondering if we even came together or not.
“And Maxxie you don’t want?” She tips the wine towards me that she’s retrieved from the fridge, a little melancholy covering me as I notice it’s a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc which was always our mum’s favourite. Cassy’s not ever pushed me to drink or not drink in the few times I’ve actually seen her since the accident. And she’s not pushing me now, she’s just asking. She’s being polite but she’s also trusting me to not fuck up and that means the world.
I shake my head.
“Can I have something soft, sis?”
She nods as she opens the fridge door and grabs some orange juice and pours it into two tumblers and adds some ice, then she pours two glasses of wine. Presumably for her and Finch.
Talk of the devil,he emerges from the bedroom, dressed this time in a Nirvana t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, effortlessly cool but with that sheepish look in his eyes that I would have loved to tease him for no less than a year ago. He runs a hand through his usual unruly curls as he strides towards us and stops at the breakfast bar. Smiling at Cassy and then turning his attention to me and Ali.
“Hey, guys, erm, I am sorry about that,” he says with another rumple of his hair. Cassy sniggers a little, but I think it’s more out of nerves.
Ali’s laughter bounces around the room. “Finch, it’s fine and let’s be honest it’s not the first time I’ve caught you with your pants down.” She laughs as she wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him. He smiles, his apologetic smile as he hugs her back.
“How are you?” she asks him when he lets her go.
“Yeah, we’re brilliant, really really good,” he tells her with a smile as he looks over at my sister and just seeing him look like that at her has a little bit of my invisible wall shattering. “It’s lovely to see you. You look great. Cassy didn’t say Max was bringing you,” he says.
“Cassy didn’t know either.” My sister answers, handing Finch a glass of white wine and nestling into his side. He thanks her with a kiss to the cheek and a stroke of the fingers as he takes the glass. I grit my teeth, reminding myself that I need to be happy that they are both so happy. Let their happiness make me smile not scowl.
“I’ve made lasagne. I had a full study day here today and my brain was so fried by five o’clock I needed to concentrate on something else,” Cassy tells the room.
“My favourite,” Finch says without a hint of sarcasm, just pure conviction and love that even a simple bit of pasta is the best news he’s ever been given.Fuck, the boys are right, he has got it bad.
“Yes, and Max’s.” She smiles across at me and I smile back and nod at her.
“We can sit in the other room. It’s nearly ready,” she says as she starts moving around the kitchen and gestures towards the dining room that is just off the kitchen. I knew this room was here, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually been in here. I’ve certainly not sat around the table. But this is what adults do. Isn’t it?
She’s already laid the table, I carry our glasses and put them on the red tablecloth, and pull out Ali’s chair, smile at her. I hope she realises her baby daddy is at least a gentleman if not anything else, and sit down myself. Finch carries the dinner in, and Cassy takes over dishing us all up. Salad and bread included. I think she’s just happy we are all here, but her bossy side often comes out—she really can’t help it and I can’t help my massive smile as I watch her. I catch Finch rolling his eyes.
I smile at him.
He nods back.
