Page 25 of Rekindled Heat

"Of course, what do you take me for?"

"I'm on it. Pack a bag for two or three days and come over. I'll order the ice cream and get Max out of the house."

"You'd do that for me?"

"Yup, now move your ass."

I make up the bag for my sleepover but also finish packing all of my stuff in case Erik goes mental and starts throwing everything I own out the door. It's good to have someone like Anne to go to when times are hard. Without even trying, I made a friend here in Miami. My time here wasn't wasted.

Oh, I'm feeling sorry for myself, that's not good.

Honestly, I had the time of my life these past few weeks. Getting to know Erik was easy and fun. He just opened up to me completely. This is why he's so angry at me. How do I make things better? I pick up my bag and head downstairs. I think Erik is in his office so I leave quietly and walk the few blocks over to where Anne and Max live.

Tears threaten to overflow my eyes, but I take a firm rein on that. I have to be strong. Hopefully, Anne will get the good ice cream. When I'm finally at their front door, I ring the doorbell. Anne opens and takes me into her arms as soon as she sees me standing there looking like a sad, sad girl.

"Things will work out. You'll see." She whispers in my ear.

I hug her back hard and then pull away.

"Is the stuff here?"

"Yes, come in. I've got a flannel pajama set with your name on it as well."

That brightens me up. I put my bag on the floor and follow her to the kitchen.

"We've got rocky road, mint chocolate chip, cookie dough and an orange sorbet that Max likes."

We both scrunch up our faces at that. No one likes sorbet.

"We'll save it as a last resort. Rocky Road, please."

"First, let's change into PJs, and then we can come down and watch something while we eat our comfort goodies."

We change, and she has me sit on the couch. Then she gives me a comfy blanket and leaves me to find the entertainment. I pick a Christmas movie and wait for her to bring the ice cream. I have to give it to Anne. She's good at helping a friend out like this. I wonder if she's had to do it many times.

Finally she comes with the tubs of ice cream and two spoons. We nestle against each other on the couch and I press play on the movie. Before we know it we've watched two movies and have eaten all of the ice cream. We're getting upset at the lack of sugar when Max comes in with a couple of bags of food.

He looks surprised when he sees us. We have the good judgment to look embarrassed for eating two tubs of ice cream.

"Hello, ladies. I didn't know it was this bad. It looks like you're nesting."

"Erik is an idiot." Anne declares.

"You mentioned something like that in your messages. How about you ladies eat something other than sugar for a bit."

We both sigh deeply and then we clash our spoons together in solidarity. Max goes to the kitchen to deal with the food, and we just watch him from our comfy nest on the couch.

"Should we get his input?" I ask.

"I don't know. They're like little girlfriends. They have their own club. He might be on his side."

"How do we sway him to our side?"

We watch quietly as Max sets the table. He keeps sending us curious glances but says nothing. When everything is set up, he comes and gets us.

"Dinner is served."

When we get up, he starts laughing at our pajamas. I don't mind. I wear flannel half of the year back in Woodland Falls. I take a peek at what he's brought us, and it's lasagna. Perfect comfort food. Right on the money. Sitting down eagerly, I serve myself a big slice. Max still regards us as if we're some sort of weird creatures.

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