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Chapter Ten
Hosting their bi-weekly dinner at Lizzie’s was comfortable for me, considering I’d spent more time at her place than mine in the last two months. But that didn’t stop me from pacing her living room, squatting in front of her liquor cabinet, and being too nervous to choose a drink.
The doorbell hadn’t pestered us since we finished getting dressed, and we quickly learned it was an obnoxious delivery person who needed Lizzie’s signature for her new electric litter box. That might have been a red flag for some, but it was endearing as hell when she compromised to keep Muffin from getting into the litter box when we slept over. I liked our sleepovers.
I tapped my fingers around two bottles of booze, unable to decide, when I heard Lizzie’s footsteps. “Would you just relax?” she teased, passing through the living room with a tray in her hands. “They’ll be here soon, and I need you to break the ice.”
“Why do I need to break the ice? They’re your friends, and I’ve met Ella and Jesse.”
“Because,” I heard her call, “if you have a heart attack, you’re the only one who can save you, so you’ll die, and I like sleeping with you too much to lose you.”
I rolled my eyes, selecting gin over whiskey and following Lizzie’s voice to the dining room. “I’m glad to be of service. Also, I’m a little bummed that’s all you would miss.”
“Your mom won’t take your dog,” she snickered, not looking up from her place settings, “so I’d have Muffin to think of you.” My throat tightened, watching her organize silverware and napkins around mismatched plates and glasses, already planning my leave. I think it was my silence that worried her the most because I didn’t realize her fingers were wrapped around my forearm until her nails pierced my skin.
“Mermaid,” she snapped, “wake up!” I blinked repeatedly, trying to clear my thoughts and return to her. “Noah, are you okay?”
The doorbell rang, and I smiled at Lizzie, knowing I would be okay because in such a short time she had changed my entire world. “I will be,” I assured her. I didn’t want her to worry. It was Lizzie’s night, and this night was entirely about her.
I relaxed, wrapping my arms around Lizzie’s waist and spinning her while she erupted into a fit of laughter on our way to the door. Her skirt twisted around our legs when we entered the foyer. I pressed my lips against Lizzie’s, her sparkling lip gloss gluing our mouths together while she continued to giggle.
“Ready?” I questioned through a grin, leaving a pinkened kiss on her forehead. Lizzie wiped away the stain, playfully elbowing me in the side before she reached for the doorknob. Just as she twisted, the panel flew open and we practically stumbled backward.
Avery flew against me, knotting her arms around my neck as though I was her life preserver in a storm. I thought of her babies who almost lost their father months ago. The barrier they created between us didn’t stop Avery from holding onto me, and I softened beneath her hold, welcoming her affection.
I looked from the strands of her auburn hair covering my eyes to catch Sean, his bright teeth blinding me with his humored grin. I understood, as Avery tightened her grasp, that she wasn’t letting go, and I exhaled the breath she squeezed from my chest.
“Hi,” I murmured in her ear, lifting my arms to pull her close. She nodded against my neck with a muffled sob. Sean quietly took off his shoes and walked around us, calling for Lizzie elsewhere in the condo. It wasn’t the introduction I’d expected, but his laughter followed his departure, and I assumed he knew he wouldn’t get a word in with Avery suffocating me.
I stroked my left hand over Avery’s hair until her quiet sobs ceased and she slowly lifted her face from my chest. She latched her arms around me with her gaze on mine, warm and urgent.
“Thank you,” she uttered. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Don’t thank me,” I admonished with a smile. “I can’t tell you what it means to see you…to see both of you.”
“He’s hot, isn’t he?” Lizzie snickered, wrapping her arms around me from behind, squeezing her head under my arm so I held her against me.
Avery rolled her eyes. “Which one? Noah, you need to watch this woman.”
I grinned at Lizzie. “Gladly.” Avery giggled, wiping stray tears from beneath her eyes as Lizzie and I stood near the front door, happily still.
“Lizard!” We all spun at Sean’s voice.
“Hot and demanding,” Lizzie groaned, linking her arm with Avery’s, “both of them.” They walked away, leaving me in the foyer with a gaping mouth and furrowed brows. What just happened? I heard Lizzie squeal from the kitchen, but the doorbell rang once more, and I was the only one there to get it.
“Noah!” Jesse roared with happy laughter as I opened the door, his arms quick to tighten around me. I chuckled beneath his hold, patting his back while returning his kind hilarity.
“It’s great to see you too,” I replied, glancing down at Ella, who bounced at Jesse’s side while holding a heavy cardboard box, “both of you. Avery and Sean are somewhere.”
“Really?” Ella squeaked. “Did they—”
Jesse interrupted, clearing his throat and tugging his wife’s ear. “Ella, can you give the box to Lizzie?” She nodded, practically skipping away from us. “I have another box in the car. Do you mind helping me?”
I followed him out into the balmy summer evening as laughter and solace filled the condo behind us. The heat stuck to my skin within seconds of being outside, and I craved the chill of Lizzie’s air conditioning.
“So,” Jesse started, scratching his beard while leaning against the trunk of his car, his words laced with a laugh, “how’s life with Lizzie?”
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I probed, chuckling. “Is this gossip hour?”
