Page 115 of Thorns and Ashes
“Alright, your turn.” I give him the same hand gesture, opening the floor to him.
He leans back in his chair and taps his fingers on the table, eyes focused on something that isn’t there.
“I was invited to the Friendsgiving tomorrow,” he finally says.
“And that’s a problem because?” I ask, drawing out the word because.
“Because I’m not sure how myLittle Lionwill feel about me being there.”
“Ah.” I nod my head in understanding. “She’s still avoiding you?”
He raises his brows and pinches his lips with a nod.
“Well, there’s only one way to figure it out,” I tell him, with the same direct approach he recommended to me.
“I guess you’re right,” he finally breathes after mulling it over. “You make that phone call, and I’ll have that conversation. What do you say?”
I smirk because he’s good at this. Chief knows exactly how to motivate people, and that’s what he’s doing right now. I push my tongue against the inside of my cheek, fighting my grin until I lose.
“Alright, man. You win. But you’d better show up tomorrow,” I say, knocking on the table twice before heading back to my bunk.
I stare at my phone screen as my finger hovers over Tris’s contact. It’s late, but knowing her, she’s still up.
Finally, I tap it.
I hold my breath as it rings.
Once.
Twice.
Three Times.
I’m about to hang up when the fourth ring cuts short.
“Levi?”
She didn’t tell me where she was last night. Only that she’d be home early this morning. We didn’t talk long. The conversation was stiff and awkward. I hated every second of it and felt like pulling my hair out. There’s too much we’ve both left unsaid, but when we hung up, and I told her I love her and she said she loves me too, everything else didn’t seem to matter.
It doesn’t.
All that matters is us.
I quickly finish my early morning checklist and run through the shift change with the rest of the crew before we all head out to get ready for Friendsgiving today. The Cozy Pines Cafe is closing at twelve, so we’re all meeting around three this afternoon and having dinner at four. Tris, like the natural born leader she is, or control freak, depending on how you look at it, made sure to give everyone an assigned dish to bring, ensuring everything would be organized. Thanks to her, we won’t end up with five sweet potato casseroles.
Ainsley and Rory are meeting up at the cafe early to set up, and so Tom and I can help re-arrange some tables and chairs. We were told to show up ready to be put to work. Everyone we invited is coming, and even though this is the first real major holiday I’m celebrating since Krystal passed, I’m happy to be surrounded by friends. I know that’s what she would have wanted, and it fills me with a peace that settles the nerves that over the last week have been buzzing inside me.
I climb up the steps of our duplex and smile when I hear music playing through the cracked window of Tris’s kitchen and smell the delicious scent of honey-glazed ham and mashed potatoes already cooking. She told me last night she’s been watching YouTube videosall week and reading recipe ‘tips and tricks’ for how to make them both. I was a little worried at first, I probably will be until it’s all done, but there’s something about how much work she’s put into organizing this for everyone and how important it is to her that makes pride spread like warmth through my chest.
She’s amazing.
I knock on her door, unable to stop myself or hold back any longer. I miss my girl, and I want to see hernow. She’s still singing whatever song is on the radio when I swing it open. Dressed in a cami and capris, despite the cold, she dances around the room in fuzzy socks. Ellie lifts her head from the dog bed, acknowledging my presence before dropping it back down. As she slides from the counter to me, I notice the apron around her waist as she sings into a spoon that’s still got potatoes on it.
“You’re adorable,” I say, smiling at her as she looks down at her fuzzy-covered feet.
“Yeah, I suppose I can be,” she hums, smiling bashfully. “I know we have a lot to talk about,” she says, her voice dropping, sounding more serious. “But do you think that we could maybe wait until after this dinner is over? I’d really like to enjoy this day and let the rest be tomorrow’s problem.”
I sweep my hand over her cheek, holding it before drawing her closer to me.
