Page 54 of Glad You Exist

That’s when it hits me: they’re making lunch for the party.

Not just any kind, but the kind Aunt Cat used to make for me because it was my favorite.

Pancit and lumpia.

Filipino stir-fried noodles and spring rolls.

For the party. For me.

This is why Liz got up early without waking me up.

Why Kim and Kyle didn’t wake me up either.

When did she learn how to cook?

I can’t believe they’re going through all this trouble for me.

Swallowing hard, I roll up my sleeves to help but Liz shushes me away.

“This is too much. You guys should have woken me up. I could have helped.”

Kyle snorts, "Don’t make it weird man. It’s only a big deal if you make it."

Then he winks and nods his head toward Liz who looks up right at that moment and catches the exchange. She rolls her eyes and shoves a bowl of lumpia base into Kyle's hands.

"Roll faster, Anderson."

Liz turns to me and shakes her head slightly, letting me know that she hasn't told them anything. Then she turns around to wash her hands.

And with the dishtowel on her shoulder, she dries her hands. She walks over to the microwave, taking out the lava cake she gave me earlier along with a fork.

Handing me the plate, she flicks a hand toward a stool.

"Sit. Eat. Your birthday is a good excuse to have cake for breakfast." Liz grins.

That smile has me spellbound and it takes me a minute to realize Kyle’s talking to me.

"Do what she says. Liz is bossy today.”

That earns him a smack from Kim who turns around with a tray of lumpia in her hands.

She places it on the island. She smiles fondly at Liz who’s caught up showing Kyle how to properly roll the lumpia with raw egg whites, so it won’t unfold.

"I still can't believe you cook now."

Liz gives her a small smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes,

"I had to learn if I wanted to eat something other than pizza and takeout."

Kim mimics the frown on my face, leaning forward on the island.

"What do you mean?"

"Mom was pretty busy the last few years. She was focused on finishing her book series."

Liz shrugs, mouth pursed. "I guess we know why now."

Kim wraps an arm around her and squeezes her shoulder. "Thank you for teaching us how to make these."

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