Page 155 of How To Not Need You

I look across the lawn again. Liv is still staring at Ben. Now I'm curious. Because I have known that bastard for years. And if Ben can make a fucking giraffe out of a balloon, we're going to have a conversation. And I have questions. A lot of fucking questions.

I move to them and can’t hold the surprise from reflecting on my face. My best friend of fifteen years is sitting behind a folding table surrounded by children, making balloon animals.

Not attempting to make balloon animals.

Not fucking them up and pretending the resulting collection of lumps is a dog. Actually making them. He's halfway through a pink poodle when I walk over, fingers twisting and folding the balloon so quickly I can barely follow what he's doing.

The little girl standing in front of him watches like he's performing actual magic.

I stop beside Liv. “What the fuck?”

Ben doesn't look up. “Language.”

I glance at the line of children. Right. I lean closer. “What the fuck?”

Liv snorts. “Like that’s much better.” She says.

“You know how to make balloon animals?”

“Clearly.” Ben sounds so offended at my question.

“Since when?”

Ben finishes the poodle and hands it over. “There are things you don't know about me.”

“We've known each other fifteen years.”

“And yet.” He grabs a yellow balloon and gestures to the table with a broad sweep.

I stare at his hands. “Seriously. How?”

“Natural talent.”

“Bullshit.”

“Jealousy is ugly on you.”

Tilly pushes her way to the front of the table holding a purple balloon creation with four legs, a long neck and what appears to be a horn.

“LOOK.”

I look. “What is it?”

Her mouth falls open. “A UNICORN.”

“Right.”

“You couldn't tell?”

“Of course I could.”

“You said what is it.”

Liv folds her arms. “Walk yourself out of this one, Reid.”

“I was testing her.”

“Sure.”