Page 3 of Tizzy's Little Thanksgiving

“It’s fine,” she answered, biting her tongue so her inner scream wouldn’t become a real one. “You know, the usual. Tumors, ulcers, broken bones, bowel obstructions. Just another day in the life of a surgical nurse.”

“Yeah, I’m sure it can get pretty crazy. I know it has been for us lately.” Eddie worked at a hospital in the medical center while she worked in a different branch in Sugar Land about a half-hour away.

Tizzy shrugged. Inside an OR was the only place she didn’t feel like a frazzled mess, but nobody ever believed her when she tried to explain that particular anomaly.

Thankfully seeming to sense that work wasn’t her favorite topic, Eddie changed the subject.

“Have you heard from Georgie lately?”

She almost wept with relief. Finally, common non-work-related ground. She could talk about her bestie all day long, and unlike most dates, Eddie would know exactly what she was talking about. “Yes, almost every day, but it’s not the same.” Tears pricked her eyes, horrifying her, and she heaved a deep sigh. “I miss her. She kept me sane. Without her… well, I joined a roller-derby league, I took up crocheting, I’m learning sign language, and I’m on all the dating apps, even though I never have the guts to actually go on dates with the guys I talk to. All these new things to keep me busy, and I’ve never been more miserable.” She paused, hyper-aware that she sounded like a wet rag and forced a smile. “But I’m happy for her. I am. I never thought her plan would work, but the stars must have aligned. She’s loved Lucas for so long; I know she’s so happy there, and she loves her new job and her new friends…” Her voice cracked and she shook her head, fighting tears again. “Sorry, ignore me. I’m just… I’m being pathetic.”

“No, hey, no.” Eddie grabbed her hand across the table. “Don’t say that. You’re not pathetic. It’s a huge change. And it’s okay to miss her. It’s okay to feel left behind. Hell, I do sometimes, and I hardly ever saw her.”

Tizzy nodded, staring at Eddie’s hand on hers. His hands were smooth, his touch warm and comforting.

“Were you mad when she hooked up with Lucas? Are you mad because”—her voice dropped to a whisper—“you know.” Rawhide Ranch, where Eddie’s best friend Lucas, and now his little sister both lived, was a well-known BDSM and Lifestyle Ranch that especially catered to Littles. Tizzy was pretty sure Eddie knew that because how could he not, but she had no idea how he felt about it.

“Because they’re into some kinky shit?” Eddie said with a grin.

Tizzy just nodded.

Eddie grinned wider. “I try not to think too hard about it, but it doesn’t make me mad, no. To each their own, and I’ve wanted Lucas to find happiness for a long time. But he’s such a loner. It makes sense that he had to be basically forced into it. And who better to do that than Georgie?”

“I guess it makes sense when you put it that way,” Tizzy replied with a smile. Her best friend was a force to be reckoned with.

There was a span of companionable silence, broken only when the waiter came to take their orders. Eddie ordered a club sandwich and fries and she ordered a chef salad. They both asked for lemonade.

When the waiter walked away, Eddie was still holding her hand, silence lingering between them as they sat with their own thoughts.

And just when the quiet started to feel too loud, Eddie lifted her hand, level with his face, and stared at her manicure with an odd smile. “You can’t be too upset about it,” he mused. “After all, you did help her break into my house to get his address, didn’t you?”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tizzy blustered, with far more confidence than she felt.

Eddie looked at her hands again. “Orange sparkles with purple gemstone stars. It’s an interesting combination.”

“My two favorite colors,” Tilly defended. “People say they don’t go together but they are both so bright and happy and… sassy… I don’t see how that could possibly be true.”

“To each their own,” Eddie replied, echoing his earlier sentiment. “But you know… it’s interesting… I found one of these little stars at my apartment a few months ago. In one of my kitchen cupboards, stuck to my favorite coffee mug. I wonder how that could have happened.”

“I have no idea.” Tizzy blushed and jerked her hand away. His favorite coffee mug? She remembered exactly which one it was. She’d needed a drink because breaking and entering made her thirsty, so she’d opened cabinets until she stumbled across glasses. She should have reached for a regular glass, but the row of colorful mugs with unique sayings had caught her eye, and one in particular had called to her.

She’d filled it with tap water, drank thirstily, and dried it and put it back, all the while wondering why Eddie had a coffee mug that saidDon’t Torture Yourself… That’s My Job.She’d assumed it must have been a gag gift from Georgie most likely as she was always lamenting how he drove her bonkers. He’d most likely held on to it because he’d feel guilty getting rid of it and hurting his sister’s feelings because that’s just the type of person Eddie was.

But his favorite mug? She hadn’t seen that coming. And hadn’t there been a picture of a riding crop between the two phrases on the mug. What did it mean? Eddie didn’t leave her wondering for long.

“I’ve been to Rawhide once, you know,” he offered, bringing the conversation back around. “For Georgie and Lucas’ birthday. Interesting place. I might have to go back sometime. But I wouldn’t want to go alone. Seems like the kind of place that would be much more fun… with someone.”

Her cheeks flamed as she imagined the possibilities of being that someone, and when her phone rang on the table, she grabbed at it, thankful for the distraction.

Eddie’s rang at the same time.

He cocked his head and looked at her with a smirk. “It’s a facetime call from Lucas.”

She glanced down at her screen. “Mine’s from Georgie.”

“Answer it,” he ordered, even as he clicked the button to answer his.

“Now, bro, don’t be mad…”

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