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“Hear, hear!” Mom said, raising her glass in a toast.
“I feel like I’m being ganged up on,” I observed.
“You invited me,” Krystal said with a shrug. Mom high-fived her.
I tipped my head and squinted. “Did I though?”
Krystal’s cheeks reddened. Mom and Dad must have thought I was joking.
“Don’t be a poor sport, Bryce. It’s fun to have you here,” she said to Krystal.
Krystal chatted with my mom all about the apparentlyvery handsomestar of her last movie. Much to Mom’s disappointment, James Lauer was happily married and apparently could barely remember Krystal’s name.
“His loss,” I commented absently.
Mom and Krystal both looked at me. Krystal had the “what do you think you’re doing” look, and Mom could barely contain her excitement at her interpretation of my words.
I backpedaled as quickly as I could. “I just meant… What I was trying to say was that Krystal is a good friend. If he was too self-absorbed to take the time to realize that, then it’s his loss.”
Krystal relaxed, and Mom placed her napkin in her lap.
“Thanks, Bryce. I’m really glad we’ve been able to reconnect as friends while I’m home.”
There was no real emphasis on the words, but I heard it clear as day.
As friends.
Right.
“Yes, it really is wonderful. Good friends are a treasure. I was so sorry to hear about your mom. It’s so nice that you were able to come home to take care of her. Oh.” Mom turned to me. “Did you hear about Misty Chambers? She broke her ankle at the dance studio the other day. I thought you could deliver a casserole for me this week. She’s such a sweet girl, don’t you agree, Bryce?”
“Mom…” I said with a warning tone. Here we go again. I resisted the urge to sigh. “I’m pretty busy.”
“Krystal, you’d love Misty. She moved here a few years ago with her little boy. The father isn’t in the picture, but the two of them are just so sweet. They deserve a good man.”
I felt Mom’s eyes on me, and irritation bubbled beneath the surface.
“I hope her ankle heals quickly. It can’t be easy to chase a young boy with a cast. I’ll fix her a meal as well. Since Bryce has to work tomorrow, maybe I can drop yours off when I take mine. That way Bryce doesn’t have to bother.”
I flashed her a grateful smile.
Mom wasn’t happy about it, but she recovered quickly. “That’s lovely, dear. Thank you. I’ll have it ready at noon tomorrow, and you can pick it up any time.”
Thankfully, the conversation shifted away from Misty or any other potential dates. I loosened up, and we had a good time. I stood and grabbed my dishes. I stopped next to Krystal and reached for hers. She looked up at me and her green eyes sparkled with a smile. My arm brushed her shoulder as I pulled the dishes back.
Mom and Dad were talking about their plans for a new deck off the back of the house. I spoke quietly. “I’m sure Mom has dessert hiding somewhere. Can I bring you some?”
Krystal patted her stomach. “I really shouldn’t.”
“This isn’t California, Krys. You can have potatoesanddessert.”
She blushed. “How do you know me so well?”
I shrugged. “Just do. Come with me into the kitchen and see what we’ve got.”
In the kitchen, which was closed off from the dining space, I found a pan of brownies dusted with powdered sugar.
“See? It’s like Mom did know you were coming.” Brownies were Krystal’s favorite. Or at least they had been fifteen years ago.
