“Your majesty, breakfast is served,” I announced sarcastically, setting the plates down on the coffee table.
“That’s wonderful. I’ll be with you in a second.” She replied haughtily, still glued to the TV. “You know what? Just bring it over here.”
“If I ever end up in jail for murder, it’ll be because I killed you,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head as I settled down beside her with my own plate. I had plans for the day, which included checking in on Kevin, but I wasn’t in any rush.
Joey finally tore her eyes away from the screen to join me. “You couldn’t even bring the food over? After all I’ve been through?”
“If by nice, you mean bringing your food to you, then I’d rather not be nice. I was nice enough to make it,” I shot back, taking a big bite of the French toast.
Joey smiled, that mischievous glint back in her eyes. “Fine, you’re the best friend in the world.”
“Don’t patronize me, just eat your food,” I said, rolling my eyes but unable to suppress a grin.
“Licia, I know you’ve been all caught up with Kevin’s surgery, but what about Avery?” she asked casually, as if she hadn’t just dropped a bomb in the middle of breakfast.
I paused, the fork halfway to my mouth. I hadn’t been expecting that. “What about him?”
“Have you talked to him? How are things going?” She asked, leaning in with that curious look that meant she wasn’t going to let it go easily.
“I haven’t. I’ve been busy, and you know that.” I tried to sound nonchalant, but even to my own ears, it came out forced.
She gave me a long, assessing look, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Too busy to even say hi? I’m sure he’s been blowing up your phone. That’s not fair, Licia.”
I sighed, setting my fork down. “Joey, things aren’t always what they seem.”
“So how are they, really?” She asked, her tone gentle but probing, like she was trying to peel back the layers I’d carefully built up over the past few weeks.
“Kevin is still recuperating, so I need to be there as much as I can.”
I lied, knowing it was only half the truth.The real reason was more complicated, tangled up in emotions I wasn’t ready to confront.
“I thought you said he could stand on crutches now. So…?”
I hesitated, knowing Joey’s sharp instincts were on point. She wasn’t going to let me off the hook that easily.
“It’s just hard to act unaffected around him. I still love him, Joey. A lot.”
“So, is the friendship pact over?” She switched to detective mode, her eyes locking onto mine.
“Not exactly… “
“What if I’m just not ready to take things further yet? What if it’s just concern and pity I’m confusing for love?”
“You’re not confused, Licia. Let’s say Kevin asks you out today. Will you say yes, or will you turn him down?”
I opened my mouth to protest, but the words wouldn’t come. Finally, I sighed, “I think I’d say yes.”
Joey gave a wry smile, the kind that said she’d known the answer all along. “You see? You love him. No confusion there.”
“You’re going to see him today, I suppose?” she asked, though it was more of a statement than a question.
“Yes, I will,” I admitted, feeling a bit like I was surrendering in some unspoken battle.
“That’s fine. I just want you to be happy, Licia. That’s all I care about.”
“I want to be happy too, Joey. I’m just… figuring out what that looks like.”
“Just try to return Avery’s call. Don’t keep him hanging, okay?” She added gently, her concern for me evident in the way her eyes softened.
