Page 32 of From Us, Forever

“It suits you. You look happy—like you always should be.” His voice softened at the end, and I flushed, smiling.

“So everything good between you and your man? You told me you were having issues.”

I darted my eyes toward the terrace to see that Jay was still hunched over, fiddling with his guitar. I wiped my hands on the dishcloth, leaning over the counter as I sipped the glass of Chardonnay he poured for me.

“Yeah, we are fine—everything is fine, better than it has ever been in my life. You know how sometimes doubts and fears start to eat at you? But I think I’m getting better at dealing with them.”

“It’s fucking life,” Gabe remarked, wheezing out a sigh as he rolled his eyes. “Who knows what the fuckthat bitchhas up her sleeves.”

“What bitch and what sleeves?” A melodic voice filtered to us.

Lily came rushing in, locking her arms over Gabe’s neck and squeezing tight. “Caught you.” She smiled.

I laughed at Gabe’s dramatic expression as he clawed her hand as if he were really fighting off a strong warrior on a battlefield.

“Yes, you did.” Gabe’s eyes narrowed on Lily when she let him go. “You’re lucky I find your brother hot, or else I would have ruined you.”

“Like hell you would’ve.” Lily jutted her chin, bracing her hands on her hips.

“Oh, I’m ready for the challenge,little mouse.” Gabe grinned at the furious lines forming on Lily’s face after hearing that nickname. A name that only Mikey called her for some reason.

“Okay.” My voice thundered through the room. “Enough, you two.”

After a moment, they both burst out laughing like little kids. I suddenly felt too old to be in this room. Like an out-of-touch, old soul.

“Fuck, these are good.” Lily stole yet another potato from the dish and popped it into her mouth, moaning in delight. “I’m going to send pictures of these to Katy. Serves her right for not moving here with us.”

For the past ten minutes, Gabe and Lily have been stirring up so much trouble, bantering and bickering like teenagers. I had a feeling they were just doing that to get a rise out of me, which they did often, stating I was so cute when I got angry.

I thanked God that the others weren’t here because it would’ve been a whole lot worse. These two were already wearing my patience so thin that my eyes were twitching every two seconds.

“E, can you fetch me some cheese cubes to go with this wonderful wine?” Gabe commanded, waving a hand.

Lily’s gleeful eyes volleyed between us.

“Go fetch it yourself,” I muttered as I took out the chicken.

“You wound a guest.” Gabe held his heart, faking a British accent.

I was slowly regretting inviting them over.

“Fine, sorry,” Gabe mumbled, holding me from behind.

I shook my head, smiling as I sliced up the chicken, too impatient for it to rest.

It took me exactly five minutes to set everything up in the dining room, leaving Gabe and Lily to pour the drinks. I ventured back to the kitchen to make a plate for Jay, knowing very well he wasn’t going to move from the spot anytime soon.

“Hey.” I crouched beside him, knotting my arms over his shoulders as I brushed a tender kiss on his cheek. “You’ve been working too hard. Eat.” I gestured to the plate that I placed on the table.

He sighed, dropping his pen, and covered my arms with his. “Thanks, baby. This looks incredible. Are you guys heading out after lunch?”

“Umm, yes.” We planned to go shopping after this. I was in desperate need of a wardrobe change since most of my clothes were from a Target clearance haul three winters ago.

“Here, take this.” He retrieved something from his wallet. “I added your name.”

“What’s this?” I mumbled, taking in the fancy black card that had my name embossed in gold. “A credit card?”

“Yes. Don’t use it wisely.”

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