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“I thought you’d be terrified, pissed as hell, and ready to kill me,” I muttered, squeezing her bare shoulders. “I still feel sick worrying about telling you.”
“I am pissed, but you’re too good in bed for me to kill you,” Lizzie pressed her lips against my sternum, “and I love you. Too much, I think.”
“Nah,” I grabbed her shoulders, guiding her body along my chest as she lowered her lips to my neck, nibbling my earlobe. “We’re perfect.”
Lizzie’s right leg stretched over my body before she straddled my waist, her lips spreading into a smile as one lonely tear fell over her cheek. I reached for it, wiping it with the pad of my thumb as I gazed into her eyes.
“Who’ll wait for me?” I questioned, tugging on her bottom lip with my thumb as it trailed the fallen tear.
Lizzie’s warm palms cupped my jaw, her thumbs rubbing circles around my cheeks. “I will.”
“Before,” I pressed, “you said we needed to talk. What did you want to talk about?”
“I…I don’t remember.” She blushed. “Mermaid?” Wrapping my arms around her back, pulling our warm bodies together, I sat with Lizzie in my lap. Her legs tightened around me, her hands knotted in my hair, and her lips pressed desperately against mine.
“Yes, beautiful?” Our foreheads met, and I could feel the quiver of nerves in Lizzie’s skin.
“Do you want to take a walk?”
I kissed her, this time never wanting to let go. “Depends on how far you’ll take me,” I muttered against her mouth, invigorated with our nostalgia.
***
Circles under my eyes and sore muscles wouldn’t stop me from crawling out of bed, late for brunch with Sean and Jesse. Lizzie and I didn’t sleep until the sun woke, and that was just hours before she had to go to work and prepare something for a zoo benefit, and I needed to meet Sean and Jesse downtown. I wasn’t even sure if my shirt was inside out or if Muffin ate cat food, that’s how tired I was.
I leaned against the brick wall of Retrovaille, thankful Sean and Jesse were also late, as I chewed my bottom lip while waiting for my brunch companions. Autumn was near; I could feel it in the oppressive humidity that lingered like a fever about to break each August.
“Noah!” I looked up from the wrestling squirrels that distracted me, catching Sean and Jesse bounding toward me from across the street. I didn’t know if it was them being an extension of my girlfriend or that I truly did like them, but I was smiling like a kid whose best friends just got dropped off at my house for the week. Nothing but videogames, forts, food fights, and fun. Sean reached me first, wasting no time in hugging me.
“Ave talked to Lizzie,” Sean probed, patting my bicep before stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Is there anything we can do?” We shuffled into the restaurant, and I wasn’t sure what to say.
“Dammit,” Jesse groaned behind us. “Ella has my credit card.”
“Just,” I clenched my jaw, “take care of Lizzie for me.”
Sean nodded, his lips folded inward and eyebrows furrowed. “Are we talking about the same girl here?” The hostess guided us up the metal stairs to the rooftop; all the while, Sean chuckled softly. It was perfect weather outside, and I really did look forward to the brunch Sean planned for us. I wanted to know them. I wanted to be part of it all.
Jesse ordered coffees for the three of us before returning to our conversation. “Lizzie doesn’t need much taking care of. She’s sort of the mother hen of those girls.”
“That’s Ella,” Sean objected. They exchanged a glance before Sean continued, “Lizzie’s probably the strongest on the outside. She’s like one of those fancy chocolate eggs. Tough and dark on the outside but gooey in the center.”
Jesse covered his mouth as coffee dribbled from his lips while resisting a laugh. “Gooey?”
“No shit.” I laughed, nodding when I considered how long they’d all known one another. “How well do you actually know Lizzie, Sean?”
“Um…” He rubbed his neck while leaning back in his chair, a nervous laugh filling the air. “There was one time in undergrad when I might have mistaken her for Avery.”
“Two times,” I corrected, remembering Lizzie’s story. “How’d that go?”
“She kicked his ass,” Jesse blurted. “He had a black eye that lasted two weeks.”
I watched Sean shrug and nod as though that was an expected reaction from Lizzie. I could totally see it happening, and I loved her even more for it. “Sounds right.”
“She bought me some beer and an ice pack, though,” Sean recalled. “See? Hard and gooey.” He snickered, reaching for his refilled coffee mug. “Their tripod is indestructible. If Avery wasn’t pregnant, I’m sure she’d be spending the night with you two at least three times a week.”
“How is she feeling?” Jesse inquired. “She canceled our date the other night. Can’t say I see why. I mean, I am her best friend.” I listened to their banter, the discussion of Avery’s peculiar cravings and pains, talk of Jesse’s job, and then my favorite topic: Elizabeth Jacqueline Lewis.
“Tell us what’s going on with you two,” Sean pressed. He leaned back in his seat, totally relaxed and eager. His sunglasses clung to the V of his shirt, teeth bright beneath his wide grin, and even with wild hair, the bastard belonged on a billboard. Lizzie wasn’t kidding. Jesse scratched his beard and leaned over the edge of the table, staring at me expectantly.
