by Fiona Keane
Lizzie chuckled while focused on me “His story?”
“Yeah. Tell me about him, your friend. Prepare me.” I placed the empty wine glass on her wooden dresser as I walked toward her, peeling her fingers from the door and intertwining them with mine.
“Prepare you,” Lizzie scoffed, “did a beam fall on you or something? Are you feeling well?”
“Don’t joke about work, Lizzie.” I shook my head when our eyes met. She let out a sigh and lowered from her tiptoes, sensing I wasn’t in the mood to play.
“You know they’re waiting for us,” she shook her head, “and they’re going to be nosy as hell when I finally answer the door.” I looked at her, squinting with a smile that urged her to divulge. She pretended to pout, rolling her eyes at me before continuing. “Fine. Sean’s one of my best friends. He’s easy on the eyes too. Billboard for hotness, walking around like there’s nobody cuter.”
“Sounds obnoxious.”
“He is,” she laughed, “and the funny part is that he’s clueless as hell. Well, obviously he knows he’s hot.”
“Can we focus on another trait…like how smart he is or something? The fact he beat cancer?”
“Turning a little green, mermaid?” Lizzie poked her index finger into my sternum, lifting her eyebrows. “Sean has green eyes.”
I lowered my face toward hers, wrapping my fingers around the one she pressed into me, and grinned once our foreheads met. “So do I.”
“I noticed right away,” she whispered, her lips parting with a grin. “I also noticed your muscles, tattoos, the whole savior thing. But deep down, you’re just a big softie.”
“True.” I shrugged. “Want a refund?”
“Never.” Lizzie sighed, tightening her arms around me when she stepped closer. It felt incredible to have her contain me, to put my pieces together and ground me.
“Do you think he’ll be okay with you and me having sleepovers?” I blurted, nervous for a moment when I considered what a big deal it was for me to meet Lizzie’s friends as a group. “Did you two ever have sleepovers?”
“Not like ours, Noah,” Lizzie lifted her head and pressed her chin into my sternum as she smiled, “but there were two times in undergrad he mistook me for Avery and tried to tell me he loved me. I should’ve known then. I should’ve told her. Things would’ve been so different.”
“We wouldn’t have met.” I leaned forward to kiss her hair. “Now,” I spun her out from holding me, tapping her behind as she stumbled forward with laughter, “go answer your door so we can get this over with and get back to that wine.”
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?”
“That would be a Lizzie tactic, wouldn’t it?” Jesse snickered. “I’m just wondering. She’s fierce. Listen, man,” his smile fell with a pat to my shoulder and Jesse’s furrowed brows, “you’re going to get sick of us thanking you for what you did that day for all of us, but we can’t stop. You know how they always said growing up that you can’t choose your family?”
“Yeah,” I laughed, “I’ve heard that too often.” I need to call my mom. I need to tell her more about Lizzie.
“Well, we did. The five of us. So…” Jesse turned from me to reach into his trunk, lifting a laundry basket full of crumpled towels used to wrap something, before nudging me with his shoulder. He didn’t finish his thought, only nodding toward the door in suggestion that I join him. I hesitantly followed, wondering what Jesse’s lesson for me was.
The door flew open before we reached the doormat, but nobody was standing in the doorway. Jesse shook his head, chuckling softly as we entered the darkened foyer. I hate surprises. He placed his laundry basket on the floor just inside Lizzie’s living room, clearing his throat once he stood up. I hoped he would finish his sentence, but he instead reached for the switch on one of Lizzie’s lamps. She stood in the middle of the room, embraced by Sean, holding a small wrapped package. Both smiled at me, Avery and Ella struggling adorably to open a champagne bottle. It finally popped, the cork shooting across the room and stopping before my feet. She is going to be in serious trouble for this.
“Welcome to the family, Noah.” Jesse finally concluded his thought, slipping off his shoes and tossing them behind us. I couldn’t hear them land because the room erupted with shouting and laughter, the sweetest sound I didn’t realize I wanted. I needed it. And just like that, she’s forgiven…and I’m home.
“Shit.” Ella giggled, trying to capture the erupting champagne in her palms while Avery’s head tipped back in laughter. Jesse rescued them, leaving Lizzie and Sean standing in front of me. When Sean looked at me, I understood why Lizzie might have thought he was okay to glance at. He didn’t save lives or have a mermaid and roses painted on his skin or anything. But he was a survivor, a fighter.
“Noah,” he said, rubbing Lizzie’s head with his knuckles while she giggled. “You saved two of my girls, and I haven’t been able to thank you.”
“Take this,” Lizzie bellowed, shoving the small box into my chest so her hands were free to wrestle Sean from tormenting her. They struggled like siblings, caught in the balance of love and war. She came up for air, lunging toward me with a bright grin. I opened my arms without further thought, ready to engulf Lizzie as she pressed against me and caught her breath. Her body felt right in my grasp. I couldn’t let go, even as Sean leaned forward to hug me.
“Lizard,” he groaned playfully, tousling her curls as she sandwiched between us during the quick embrace. “So, Noah, Jesse and I thought about writing up a huge thesis on how to best survive being with this one.”
“But,” Avery chimed in, returning from the kitchen, hands on her hips, “their computer froze from too many words.”
“And to think,” Lizzie teased, “I loved you two and have been there for you through everything.”
“You also set her up with another guy,” Sean grunted, crossing his arms with an eyebrow raised suspiciously over his green eyes. “When you knew I was in love with her. Really trying to get us together there, Lizzie.”
“Who?” I questioned, watching the three of them with humor. I didn’t know what to do with the box in my hands while I stood there. Ella and Jesse returned from cleaning the disastrous champagne eruption, this time carrying five flutes of bubbles and one glass of water.
Avery’s eyes widened as she shook her head, scolding Lizzie. “You knew he was in love with me then?”
“Does this even matter?” Jesse groaned from the doorway. “Ave, tell me you’re not expanding because of French fries and that you recall everything from the last year?” I felt my mouth hang, knowing rule number one of being friends with a pregnant woman was to not use the word “expanding” to describe her or mention her size…ever.
Sean covered his mouth, eyes wide and peering at Avery. He took a glass from Ella, chugging its contents to excuse himself from the banter. Lizzie tightened her hold around me, and I felt her laughter rumble into my chest.
“Ex-expanding?” Avery shrieked, turning to stride toward Jesse. He stood from leaning against the doorframe, straightening his shoulders as if preparing for battle. We couldn’t see Avery’s face, but I assumed from the expression on Jesse’s that he just saw his life flash before his eyes. I thanked Ella for my champagne flute but didn’t know if I was going to be able to drink it with the pregnant friend threatening another friend’s life. Lizzie squeezed me, rolling her head up to look at me with her lips tucked between her teeth. We were all trying not to get involved, and it was hilarious.
“Oh, shit,” Sean grumbled with laughter behind his fingers. “Look what you did.” He snickered, nudging Lizzie with his elbow.
“She’s not expanding,” Ella defended, leaping between Avery and Jesse with her arms extended as though Avery was a wild animal she wished to tame. “She’s gorgeous.”
“She is,” Sean and I spoke in unison. “You should put that somewhere safe,” he stated, pointing to the box I held, “before it breaks.”
“I can’t believe we’re even having this silly argument,” Lizzie mumbled, releasing me and crossing the living room. “You’re all with who you wanted to be with, everyone’s alive, everyone’s healthy and here, so let’s move on. Ave, move yourself and your little koalas out of my way. I have a pie in the oven.”
“I love pie,” Jesse chimed. “I bet Bean does, too.”
Avery shoved a finger into Jesse’s chest. “I will end you.”
He squeezed her finger and lifted his hands to cup her cheeks, leaning forward and kissing her hair. “I know.” Jesse chuckled to himself as he followed Avery and Lizzie into the kitchen, leaving Ella and me with Sean. I felt like strangers to those two, even though I’d met Ella at the hospital and the art museum. Without Lizzie, I wasn’t sure what to do…
“Open it, open it,” Ella squealed in a whisper, swallowing her champagne. “Oh, crap. We didn’t make a toast. Sean?”
“We have all night, Ella,” he reminded her, clinking his empty glass with hers. “Also…we are at Lizzie’s.”
“She does like to drink.” I chuckled. “I think dinner is almost ready, if you wanted to sit down…” I followed Ella and Sean into Lizzie’s dining room, watching as they took what seemed like their normal seats. I sat across from Ella, worried sitting across from Sean would seem too much like an interview. He nodded to Ella when chatter from the kitchen picked up, glancing between her and the small box in my hands.
“You don’t need to wait for the others,” he told me. “That’s just something from Ave and me.”
“Lizzie told me you have a dog,” Ella interrupted. “Is he here? I love dogs. Jesse won’t let us get one because, well, neither of us want to take walks at two in the morning.”
“He’s pretty old.” I smiled. “He doesn’t wake up until we do.”
“We,” Sean teasingly cooed with a sigh, grinning at me and glancing at Ella.
“Sean, isn’t that adorable?” She giggled, covering her mouth with a blush. “It’s just…Lizzie’s just…Sean, help me.” I turned to peer at him at my side, relaxing at his calm laughter that accompanied his shaking head.
“Oh my god,” his head dropped against the back of his chair, “you three are ridiculous.”
“I’m starting to understand that,” I teased, winking at Ella. “Yes, El
la, I have a dog. He’s old as dirt. Lizzie’s incredible. You guys don’t need to interview me. Lizzie and I are great.”
“Interview,” Sean goaded, “I thought it was more like an assigned interrogation. Why else did the guilty disappear?”
I turned in my chair, catching his tipped head and suspicious expression while he smiled around the lip pierced in his teeth. “I’m just saying, it’s exactly like those three to be up to no good.”
“Jesse likes gossip. He pretends he doesn’t, but sometimes my magazines end up in the bathroom and our bedroom before I even check the mail,” Ella added. “It’s infuriating. What do you think they’re talking about?”
“Noah.” Sean scoffed, “Obviously, Ell.”
“I hope Lizzie’s telling them something good, then,” I muttered, “because there isn’t much to tell about me.”
“What’s the grossest thing you’ve seen on the job?” Ella’s eyes widened with intrigue as she leaned forward in her seat. “Blood and guts and all sorts of questionable stuff?”
“Ella,” Sean stopped her ramble. “Can you do me a huge favor and ask Avery if she packed my medication?” She nodded eagerly, stumbling out from her chair and rushing to the kitchen within two seconds of him asking.
“Just so you know,” he told me when Ella cleared the room, “I took my medication before dinner, and I don’t expect anyone else to get it for me. I just wanted Ella to leave for a minute. I love her like she’s my baby sister,” he pulled his hands along his face, his voice rumbling with affectionate laughter, “but Ella is worse than Lizzie sometimes.”
“I believe it,” I agreed with a smile. “They’re three peas in a pod.”
“Exactly.” Sean turned to me. “I’m glad you came for dinner tonight, and I’m sorry it’s been so long before we’ve actually met. Lizzie’s really…I don’t know how to say it. She’s…protective of you.”
“And of you.”
He smiled, his eyes wandering to the table, mindlessly watching light reflect on Lizzie’s place settings instead of looking at me. “I really did a lot of damage over the last year. I bet Lizzie’s told you all about it?”