Never Give Up - Heidi Lis Page 0,40
fun, more like torture? At the same time we laugh.
Suddenly, in walks Liza. Well, it’s more like stomping her feet. “Okay, this is not working. We are in there, and you two are hiding out in the kitchen. The idea was for us all to get along, and find some common ground. I want us all to be friends here.” Addressing Nick, but her eyes are centered on me. What can I say? I’m the cook. I’m where I should be.
Opening my mouth to say something my eyes lock on Micah, who walks up behind Liza, most likely wondering what we are talking about.
“Hey,” holding up my hands, I argue. “I’m cooking you all dinner. I’m not hiding or avoiding anyone. If you all want to chat, come on in, but stay out of my way. I’ve got garlic bread to make.”
“Love your garlic bread, El. I remember it, oddly enough.” Micah blurts out . The only issue is the fact it’s been years since I made it for him.
All eyes snap to him, and he shrugs it off. “Hey, sorry, but it’s true. She made it for me a few times at my house. My whole family ate it.”
His explanation adds to the shock and blank expressions staring back at him.
“Look,” Micah huffs clearly frustrated. “If we are all going to be around each other, we need to get over the fact that Elsa and I know one another. The depth of our relationship is not relevant.”
To hear him say it like that, does make sense, so I nod agreeing. The visible one not agreeing happens to be standing next to me, and he’s really not happy. His fists are balled tight, he’s shifting his weight side to side, and he looks like he’s ready to start a fight. I brace for whatever Nick is going to say.
“Yeah,” Nick’s immediate growl doesn’t surprises me. “If you believe that crock of shit, good for you. Knowing you have slept with both of my friends here, just doesn’t settle well with me.”
Listening to Nick’s honesty, makes this situation sound so much worse. Why did he have to bring that up? We may not even make it to dinner. By the looks of Liza’s face, he’s got her all wound up.
“Jesus Nick,” Liza’s so shocked, she slaps his chest. “Thanks for reminding me. For fuck’s sake.”
It’s easy to see her mind’s spinning out of control with the fact I had a relationship with her boyfriend. Trust me, I’ve played it out in my mind. Knowing Micah’s been intimate with her after we’ve been together is a difficult pill to swallow. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been. I decide to speed things up, getting this night to end without bloodshed. The sooner we eat, the sooner we can call it a night.
Like I predicted it would be, this night is a train wreck in the making. Everyone has stopped talking. It is driving me insane.
“This dinner is just dandy. Exactly what we all needed, feeling the love already.” My sarcasm is evident as I butter the bread, adding the garlic heavier than I intended.
Micah laughs so hard and we all look at him like he’s lost his mind, but I can’t help join in. Of course, Liza and Nick never even smirk.
“Shit, this is classic,” Micah says with one last hefty laugh. “Come on you two. Elsa and I are chilled out. If you two were wound up any tighter, you might explode.”
Nick’s mouth gapes open in shock. “Really, fucking funny dude.”
Flicking his hand, Micah dismisses his comment. “Nothing funny man, just trying to see if this shit will work or not.” Raising his eyebrow, Micah finishes with a shrug of his shoulder.
Turning to leave the kitchen, Liza looks back over her shoulder, “I’ve lost my appetite.”
I want to yell at her that is was her idea to begin with.
I’m annoyed with everyone, Micah and Nick are glaring at one another in some sort of standoff. I’m trying to keep my composure and not flip out, so I bite my lip so hard, it’s on the verge of bleeding. I want to get their attention, so I drop my knife rather loudly. My ploy worked perfectly. All sets of eyes snapped my way.
“Sit the hell down,” I sharply say through my teeth. “Everyone is going to eat an incredible meal, and you are all going to love it. We will have regular conversations like we are long lost friends and act like