Page 55 of Friends That Heal Us
“It’s only going to be the five of us.”
“I know. But your dad loved my cookies the last time he was here. So I thought I should make a lot.”
“He loves anything with sugar in it.”
Her mouth parts. “Are you saying my cookies aren’t good?”
Oh, no, your cookie is good,I say to myself, chuckling low.
I was drunk, yeah. But something like that sticks with you. I’d waited years for her, and so many obstacles had come in our way. The wait made every second worth it. Even if nothing ever comes of us, that one night will still be enough. It will still mean everything to me.
Her head tilts at my chuckle. “Why are you laughing?”
“It’s nothing. Anything made by you is good. My dad will be thrilled.”
She rolls her eyes at me and starts placing the cookies in Tupperware.
Twenty minutes later, we’re pulling into my parents’ driveway next to my sister’s red Audi. My heart sinks a little knowing that I haven’t told Dani anything about…well, everything. Even though we never hung out much growing up, we told each other everything. She’s four years younger than me, so the age difference stopped us from hanging out with the same friends.
She was never a fan of Rya but was always cordial with her on my behalf. Back then, I never understood why she wasn’t a fan, but now that I’m seeing more light shine out of the darkness of our relationship, I’m understanding.
I place my hand on Violet’s lower back, leading her to the front door and inhaling her vanilla scent.
She turns towards me. “Do I look okay?”
Her black skirt hugs her hips just right; her slightly loose beige sweater wraps around her upper body loosely. “Of course you do.” It makes me melt knowing she’s nervous around my family. She never was before when we were justfriends. Is she nervous because there is more she feels she hasn’t said yet?
Walking into my parents’ house, I inhale the sweet smoky scent as we enter the kitchen. “Hey, we’re here.”
“Hi,” my mom says with a cheerful smile on her face. “I’m so glad you could come,” she adds, pulling Vi into a hug.
“Me too; I made cookies,” Vi says.
She looks down at the cookies before taking the Tupperware. “Oh, you didn’t have to do that.”
“I couldn’t come empty-handed.”
“Of course you could have. You’re always welcome here, empty-handed or not.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
A loud gasp comes from behind us. “Violet,” Dani says, rushing over to her, pulling her into a hug. Violet’s face lights up as she wraps her arms around my sister. They both hug while rocking their upper bodies from side to side.
Dani has always loved her. When Violet was a teenager, Dani would always look up to her. Even if she wouldn’t admit it.
“Hi, Dani. It’s been so long,” she says.
They release each other from their hug, and Dani punches me softly in the stomach. “Yeah, because this one keeps you away from us.”
Violet giggles while looking at me.
“She’s a busy woman,” I say, smiling and shrugging my shoulders.
I’m getting the feeling Dani must know something if she’s not asking or even looking for Rya or Zayn. Usually if Violet is here, so is Zayn. Violet has never come over by herself like she used to after she and Zay got married.
“Hey,” my dad says, walking in. More of that smoky smell hits my nose.
He pats me on the shoulder before giving a hug to Vi.
