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Chapter Fourteen
Kris
The house feels like a home with so many people in it. I hadn’t realized how much I’ve missed Clive and how important our friendship is. Todd is Athena’s best friend, so by proxy, he has welcomed me into his small group of friends, and Shannon thinks of herself as TB’s best female friend, so, of course, I’m her friend too. With these people, there’s no pretense, no need for a façade, and Athena and I only need to be ourselves.
“How’s the book coming along?” asks Clive.
“The ending is eluding me.” Athena puts down her knife and fork and clasps her hands together. “I always know the beginning and the ending, but this time, I have no idea where the characters are taking me. It also feels like the book isnevergoing to end.”
Clive picks up his wine glass and takes a sip. “Are you on a deadline?”
Athena crinkles her nose and groans. “I’m overdue. I lied and said I’d finished it and sent them what I had, but there’s no ending. Like a child, I’m avoiding them until I get it done. It’s not how I usually do things, so I’m frustrated with myself.”
“The creative process takes time,” says Shannon.
“Normally, yes, but I’ve had plenty of time to get it done. I’m blocked, and I don’t know why.”
“Is this the first book since you and Kris moved to LA?” asks Todd.
“The first book I’ve written, not the first book I’ve released since we moved here.”
Clive cocks his head to the side. “Do you always have books written in advance?”
Athena smiles. “Yes.” She looks at me with a mischievous grin. “I’ve been distracted ever since Kris came back into my life.”
Shannon giggles. “I’ll take a distraction like that any day.”
Clive holds up his wine glass and winks at Shannon. “To distractions, may they be many and enjoyable.”
We all hold up our glasses in a toast, and I can’t help but notice how red Shannon has gone. She’s sitting opposite Clive, and they’ve been flirting all night.
“Here, here!” says Todd.
Clive rubs his stomach and looks at Athena. “Thank you so much for dinner. I’m stuffed.”
“I only supplied the venue. Todd and Shannon did all the cooking.”
“Thank you both for the meal. It’s the best one I’ve had in ages.”
“Did you like the chicken or the beef?” asks Shannon.
Clive, ever the diplomat, rubs his chin and stares at his empty plate. “The chicken was well seasoned and moist.” He smacks his lips together and stares at Shannon. “But the beef was to die for. It was cooked just the way I like it.”
The blush on Shannon’s face turns a deeper red. “That was me. I cooked the beef,” gushes Shannon with a giggle.
“You don’t say? Beautiful and can cook too. You’re the total package,” replies Clive smoothly.
Todd nearly chokes on his wine, and I thump him on the back.
“You okay, buddy?”
With a napkin to his mouth, he nods vigorously. “Y-Yes.” He coughs again. “I’m good.”
Shannon is staring at Clive like he just hung the moon, and he looks smitten with her.
Todd stands and begins clearing plates.
“I’ll do that.” Athena moves to take them off him.
