Page 109 of Aftershock
A thick, scorching wave of smoke bursts free from the oven when I yank it open, dragging me from my thoughts. I use an oven mitt to fan it away, glancing inside, hoping I might be able to salvage some of the food.
No chance in hell.
“Fuck,” I cry out.
“Are you okay?” Hope rushes into the kitchen with a robe pulled tight around her, shampoo suds still clinging to her hair. Poor thing ran out of the shower. “Lil?”
“The pot roast.” My shoulders sag after I toss the oven mitt onto the counter. “I ruined it.”
As if only seeing it now, her brown eyes skim the open oven, the smoke hanging in the room, then my crumpled face. She nods once, then in small, hurried steps, goes over to the windows, opening two to air out the apartment.
“Come here.” She stalks over to me, arms open. “It’s okay. It’sjust food.”
“It’s notjustfood.” I sigh, but accept her hug anyway, not caring that her wet hair soaks my cheek. “I wanted this dinner to be his best one ever. But I got the timer wrong. I didn’t watch it either. Ugh. I’m going to ugly cry.”
“Listen to me.” Her hands are warm on my shoulders as she pulls back and meets my eyes. “I know where your head’s at, and no. Alaric isn’t breaking up with you over a burned pot roast. He’s not gonna lose his shit over it either.”
“I really fucked up, though.”
“You didn’t. Besides, the man loves you.” She gives me a little squeeze. “He’ll still love you when we order pizza and eat it in the living room.”
“Why not in the dining area?”
“We could, except…” She offers me an apologetic smile. “It’s even closer to the kitchen than the living room and, don’t be mad, but it doesn’t smell great here.”
My eyes slam shut. “Ugh.”
“Lil.” After a few seconds of silence, I dare to look at her. “From what you told me, he’s nothing like your bitch of a mother. He’s good, kind, understanding. More importantly, he doesn’t expect you to be this robot who never makes mistakes. You said as much, remember?”
Old dread creeps in. My shoulders hunch. “No, he isn’t like her, but?—”
Three raps on the door cut me off.
“Oh, shit, he’s early.” Hope gasps and rushes down the hall. “Give me twenty. Tell him I’m sorry.” She stops in the doorway of her bedroom and looks back at me. “Also, justbecause he’s punctual doesn’t mean he’s good enough for you. I still get to interrogate him.”
My head knows I’m supposed to laugh.
My heart, beating too fast, can’t get past the panic.
Lilith.Mom’s voice booms. It rattles inside my head as if someone’s smashing pots and pans in a kitchen.You brought this on yourself, you know that, right? You’re such a fuck-up. Always have been. Why did God have to take your father and leave me with you? Why couldn’t he take you instead?
Another rap on the door.
A soft, patient one.
Alaric, not Mom.
I hurry over to him, my heels clicking on the floor, my dress moving with my body.
Sadly, feeling beautiful doesn’t erase my anxiety. I’m still a disappointment. Still the one who messed up our dinner.
I hope he won’t be mad.
I take a deep breath, open the door, and for a second, I forget about everything.
This man can pull off scrubs, sweatpants, and old, worn-out clothes flawlessly.
This, however, is something else.
