Page 57 of ICED
“Deadly,” I say.
“Then you’re on whipped cream duty.”
I salute and head into the kitchen after her. It’s a small space, but warm and tidy, with Lila’s artwork taped to the fridge and a dish towel that saysBakers Gonna Bakehanging off the oven handle.
Lila clambers up onto one of the stools at the table, swinging her legs. I follow, grabbing the cream and the marshmallows off the counter.
“Extra marshmallows, Bear,” she instructs me solemnly.
“Your wish is my command, Jellybean.”
Maya hands me three mismatched mugs. “I’ll do the milk. You do the magic.”
The routine’s easy. Familiar. The three of us move around each other like we’ve done this before. Like it’s normal. Comfortable and real.
Lila watches closely as I pile the marshmallows in and top them with a ridiculous swirl of cream. Her eyes go wide.
“That looks like a snow mountain!”
“Only the best for the champion skater,” I say, sliding the mug across.
She beams. Maya hands me mine and then sits beside Lila with hers, both hands cupped around the warm ceramic.
We drink in companionable silence. Lila sips messily, gets cream on her nose, and tells me all about the unicorn medal Cupcake will receive tomorrow. Maya listens with a soft smile, her hand resting lightly on Lila’s back.
Then Lila’s stomach growls. Loudly. She freezes. We all do.
Maya lifts an eyebrow. “Someone sounds hungry.”
Lila grins sheepishly. “My tummy forgot the crackers.”
“If you could eat anything,” I ask her, “anything in the whole world, what would it be?”
Lila doesn’t even blink. “Pizza. With extra cheese. And extra olives on the side.”
Maya groans. “Olives. Of course.”
“And crusts shaped like stars!” Lila adds.
I pull out my phone. “Star-shaped might be a stretch, but I know a place with good crusts.”
Maya leans over. “Owen, no you don’t have to… I think I have some frozen ones in the freezer.”
She goes to stand up but I reach across the table and rest my hand on her arm. “I want to.”
“Then at least let me pay.”
I shake my head. “Nope. This one’s on me.”
She frowns. “I don’t want youthinking?—”
“I’m not thinking anything except that I got to skate with a tiny tornado today and I’m in the mood to celebrate.” I keep my voice gentle. “It’s not a favour, Maya. It’s dinner. With my two favourite girls.”
That softens her. Her shoulders relax and she nods once. “Alright. But I’m doing dishes.”
I grin. “Deal.”
The pizza arrives in record time. We eat on the floor, picnic-style, because Lila insists the couch is the “pizza fort.” Cupcake, the unicorn, gets her own crust. I pretend to be scandalised.
