Because Alec Daniels was laughing.
“Yeah well, hate breeds more hate. Sometimes it just takes losing everything that matters most — to realize that it’s not worth it, hm?”
My eyes narrowed. “You grew up.”
“I can defrost a chicken.” He shrugged. “And last night I fixed the dishwasher.”
“What? They break?” This was news to me.
“Demetri bakes bread.” He offered as we fell into step beside one another.
“Demetri… bakes.” I gave my head a little shake. “The guy used to have trouble ordering takeout. Alec, the number was on the menu, and he still had trouble.”
“Chinese intimidates the best of us.”
“Eh, I think it was the numbers.”
“It was the freaking bird on the logo, and you know it!” Demetri suddenly interrupted us, his tattooed arms crossed as a scowl darkened his face. “And who the hell names their Chinese restaurant Dirty Bird!”
How had we make it into the backyard already?
Lincoln ran over, nearly out of breath. “Who went to Dirty Bird?”
I pointed to Demetri. “He’s scared of the logo.”
“The one with the black bird?” Lincoln frowned.
“Birds are birds,” came Demetri’s explanation as he put on an apron that said “Kiss me I’m one half of AD2.”
I pointed at the apron. “Christmas present?”
“To myself. I sew now.” He gave me a completely innocent grin.
I felt my eyes widen to a painful degree. Do not laugh. Do not make fun of him. They’re being nice. Don’t be yourself. “Wow, that’s… really cool.”
Everyone burst out laughing.
“Ang, I’m totally shitting you, I bought it on Etsy.”
“He knows what Etsy is?” I whispered under my breath so only Alec could hear.
“Don’t get him started,” was his response before slapping me on the back and walking off, leaving me alone with the gang.
My eyes greedily searched for something to do, a place to sit, something to help with. Frozen again.
And then a hand touched my back.
I knew that hand like I knew my own.
I turned.
Will jerked his hand free and slapped a cell onto my palm. “New phone, new number, I can’t have you calling any old contacts and—”
Special moment completely ruined.
Embarrassment complete, I jerked it out of his hand and scowled. “Got it. Wouldn’t want me making you look bad.”
“You do a good enough job with yourself, don’t worry about me.” He snarled.
Behind him, Demetri held up his hands like who the hell pissed in his Cheerios.
And then Zane Andrews was running toward me at full speed.
I had about zero time to dodge him before one of the most gorgeous singers alive scooped me up, tossed me over his shoulder, and carried me into the house.
I stopped fidgeting when he sat me on my feet.
“Saved your life. You’re welcome.” He winked then rejoined his girlfriend at the breakfast bar. They had about seven bags of marshmallows and enough Rice Krispies to sell treats at the fair.
“You guys doing a bake sale?” I awkwardly forced my stance to look relaxed when it was the exact opposite of what I felt, especially since I could feel Will’s presence on the opposite end of the room.
That’s the thing about love.
It doesn’t give a shit how uncomfortable.
How angry.
How sad.
How disappointed you are.
It still demands to be felt.
And no matter how much history I had with Will — I always felt him.
It was my cross to bear.
My curse to carry.
“So…” Zane leaned his muscled body across the table much to the dismay of Fallon who was trying to mix the ingredients together. “What do I get?”
“Pardon?” I was still dizzy from all the marshmallows and the fact that Fallon, being a normal, small-town girl was able to breathe around a guy so famous and good looking that most girls would sell both kidneys for one night in his arms and die saying it was worth it.
“Stop pestering her.” Fallon rolled her eyes and gave me a sympathetic look. “He’s annoying — he can’t help himself. Your best bet is to shove a marshmallow in his mouth to keep him from speaking.” She shot him a longing gaze and sighed. “At least he’s pretty.”
He scolded. “Graduated with honors, babe.”
“That’s true.” She blushed as he placed a sticky kiss against her neck.
So out of place I wanted the floor to open up and let me sink down the giant crack.
I hated that feeling.
The one of not belonging.
I’d felt it my entire life.
Will’s voice rose an octave from the corner of the room as he paced in front of the fireplace and thrust a hand through his wavy golden hair.
I looked away.
And forced myself to forget the way his hair had felt between my fingers, just like I purposefully made myself forget the way I’d always felt in his arms.
Alive and home.
“I think we lost her,” Zane whispered.
I jerked my attention back to them. How long had they been staring while I stared longingly at Will?
Great.
It had been years since I’d blushed, and yet I felt a really strong one filling my cheeks as Zane looked between us. “It’s okay, you know.”
“Now what are you talking about?” I snapped in the voice I used when I was annoyed and wanted the other person to back the hell off. Typically it worked.
But Zane Andrews wasn’t typical.
He just grinned wider and shrugged. “We all have our shit, Ang.” He tossed another marshmallow in the air. I caught it with my right hand, nearly squishing it between my forefinger and thumb before popping it into my mouth. “Take me for example. I was a virgin before I met this one.” He pulled Fallon in for a side hug, and I choked on my marshmallow. “And I have such bad anxiety that sometimes all I want to do is move into a marshmallow-shaped house and die of sugar consumption.”
“Like Candy Land.” I nodded needing to fill the awkward conversation with my voice.
“Right, but with marshmallows.” His grin was so calming, I couldn’t look away. “I mean take a look at Will, the guy still can’t pee standing up. I’ve tried everything, even tossed a few Cheerios in the bowl, but still, the guy lacks the ability to just tug it out and go. Hell, I even bought Froot Loops thinking the colors would help—”
“The hell are you talking about?” Will snapped.
The hairs on the back of my arms stood on end as I gulped and waited for him to turn his attention to me and whatever I was doing to piss him off in that second. Instead, he scowled at Zane and crossed his arms.
Zane grinned. “It’s okay to admit to your friends, man, just because you have to sit down…” His grin widened. “Like a chick…”
Will pinched the bridge of his nose. “I think I just made Angelica my new favorite client.”
“And all it took was confessing your deepest darkest secret in front of her and Fallon.” Zane chuckled, and Will joined in.
My mouth gaped open.
“Aw, there it is!” Zane slow clapped. “The sexy Sutherland Sunset.”