Page 39 of When Sparks Fly

“Good morning!” comes Izzy’s cheerful greeting, with Leah on her tail grumbling and less than sparkly. That explains the aggressive door opening.

I dropped her off at her house, leaving water and Tylenol by the bed. It was the best I could do since she strongly opposed staying with me.

Izzy sets what she’s carrying on the packed island and wraps me in an all-consuming hug. Leah grimaces behind her dark sunglasses.

“I see you’re feeling the effects of last night.” Izzy and I exchange knowing grins.

Leah grumbles, “Do you two have to be so damn loud all the time?”

Izzy gives a loving roll of her eyes. “Dining room?” She lifts up the insulated bags she brought in.

“Yep.” I plate the bacon. Leah plunks orange juice and champagne on the dining table, as Izzy pulls bowls of various berries and a tray of breakfast sausages from the carriers. My eyes catch briefly on the drinks.

“I’ve missed this.” Izzy’s voice is soft. I turn to see her folding up the insulated bags before coming back over and pulling serving trays from the cabinet naturally.

“Me too.” I lay my head on her shoulder.

“Remember when Nana taught us how to make chicken noodle soup?” Izzy’s head presses onto mine.

“Yes! We felt like real women.” We fall quiet, both remembering the summer we turned sixteen.

“I’m starving.” The champagne glasses clink against the counter as Leah pulls four down from a cabinet behind us.

Izzy and I look over our shoulders. “I’m surprised you can even think about food.”

Leah doesn’t respond, just grumbles her way back to the dining table where she plops down and fills her glass.

“Liv’s still coming?” Izzy’s voice is hopeful. She’s taken over placing the French toast on a platter, and without discussing it, we both start moving food to the table.

“Yep. Should be here any minute.”

“Fabulous,” Leah grumbles, “more noise.” Izzy rolls her eyes again. “Keep rolling your eyes like that and they’ll get stuck.”

We snicker at each other. I set a platter heavily onto the table. “I don’t know how you can see past those glasses.”

A soft tapping on the screen door precedes footsteps approaching the kitchen. Liv rounds the corner. “Sorry I’m late.”

She holds up a container carrying a veggie tray in offering, which Izzy swipes before hugging her gingerly.

“Not at all!” My hug is tighter. “I’m glad you could come.” Our similar age didn’t equate to the same friends growing up, even though my best friends lived in the same town with my cousin. Liv was more reserved and stayed busy with math teams and other academic enhancements. Most of my friends at school were surface-level at best, but my time with Izzy and Leah was always unparalleled.

The four of us settle around the table, catching up on life as we eat. It’s incredibly comforting after the last ten days. And it’s what the house needs to feel like a home again. I recall Izzy asking me about letting this go, before pushing it from my mind.

“Liv, how's school going?” Izzy sips her mimosa.

“Oh, boy.” Liv inhales deeply. “It’s been a year. This class is giving me a run for my money.”

Izzy smiles. “I’m sure it’s because you make them feel comfortable.”

Liv blushes and changes the subject. “Well, Leah, you look like you’re feeling better. Rough night?” It always surprises me when Liv teases people, but it’s even more adorable coming from her.

“Shesure didtie one on.” I can’t help but laugh at Leah's expense.

“Oh you’re one to talk, Twinkle Toes.” She raises her mimosa in challenge, her grin matching mine.

Liv’s head whips between us, realizing she’s missed something. “You both went?”

“Leah strong-armed me.”

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