Chapter 21
Lauren
“I still can’t believe they’re finally up. I got used to the perpetual state of chaos,” Nic says, her voice full of awe, her finger sliding over the assembled bookshelves. She turns to me and winks. “This might be better than an actual love declaration.”
“Yeah, I think we’re way off from that happening. Yet,” I point out.
“Are you sure?” She knocks against one of the boards. “I mean, check out how sturdy it is. How very precisely ninety degrees. That man put a lot of effort into your shelves.”
“I know,” I admit and usher her out of the room, grinning.
It’s been a while since Nic was at my place. I’ve only let her come over once since I moved in, always too embarrassed that my home was a mess.
And now, thanks to Caleb, it isn't anymore.
Some might say that having a chaotic house is part of my charm, that it ‘fits my brand,’ but the truth is, it’s embarrassing.
Why did I decide to take on so much myself and commit to DIY?
And even worse, broadcast that to my friends, when I don’t even have any skills to get it done?
Talk about biting off more than you can chew.
At least I finally got to clear my living room.
It was a labyrinth of boxes that were supposed to go in my library, filled with books I brought from back home and new books I’d ordered. There were puzzles and book nooks to piece together for decorations. Also, a lot of items I bought to try out a variety of hobbies I ultimately gave up on.
It took me a whole afternoon, a lot of sweat, and a lot of second-guessing, but now, it’s done. All the books are on the shelves, sorted by author and alphabet. The puzzles and hobby items are hidden in one of the cabinets.
Finally, I can actually use the living room. For the first time, I realized how spacious it is. Jenna and Taytay were thrilled, too. Even more so when I pieced together a cat tree that resembles, well, a tree, right by the window. The uppermost branch is now their favorite spot to lie in the sun.
They didn’t let me throw away all the boxes, though. One they have claimed for themselves, screaming whenever I began to disassemble it. I had to make it smaller though, because it was too high for them to get out themselves, and I’m not dealing with their constant screaming when they get stuck.
There’s something about living with two tiny creatures that made me realize I need to be a lot more responsible.
Who knew it would take two adorable kittens for me to get my shit together?
The next boxes that will take up space in the living room will probably be for a huge bed and a mountain of toys and treats for them.
“Yet…?” Nic asks, wiggling her eyebrows, as we make our way to my couch.
As soon as we sit, my two little fluffballs perk up.
Within seconds, they’ve jumped down from their cat tree and are climbing all over us.
They’ve developed quite a taste for a warm lap to curl up on.
And I’ve come to love their weight on me when I cozy up in my reading nook with a book.
Usually, Taytay will curl up in my lap and Jenna will climb over my shoulders, choking me by pulling on the hood of my sweatshirt, before she cuddles into the crease of my elbow.
“I’m not sure.” I run my fingers through Taytay’s snow-white fur. Aw, she’s purring. “Something is happening.”
“I thought I noticed a shift between the two of you.” Nic grins, her eyes jumping to her lap where Jenna meows for attention.
Carefully, she scoops her up and cuddles the orange cat to her chest. “God, those two are adorable. And you don’t even have to go through the feedings-every-three-hours phase.
” She shakes her head, but the grin playing at her lips reveals she’s not actually pouting about it.
“I think our orange cats might share a brain cell, though.”
I giggle. Jenna slowly turns her head, glaring at me from Nic’s hug as if she understood every word, and I quickly avert my eyes and pet Taytay.
“Remember how I told you rather proudly that their encounter with snow meant they weren’t trying to escape anymore?
” I blow a strand of my hair out of my face.
“Turns out I hoped wrong. Jenna chooses to forget about that rather frequently. Or she’s a bullheaded escape artist. Over the past two days, she’s tried to escape five times.
Each time surprised, and deterred by the fact that snow is cold. ” Nic giggles and nods.
“Yeah. That sounds like something Pumpkin would do too.”
“Only vacant space behind those eyes.” I lean over and press a kiss to the orange cat’s head. “Good thing you’re adorable.”
“Right?” Nic agrees and giggles. “I mean, how can you be mad at that face?” Her nose scrunches up with her smile. “I certainly can’t.”
“Same.” Taytay has had enough of human interaction and jumps off my lap. When Jenna sees that she’s about to call dibs on the box, she hurries after her. “Now, back to business. Are we getting drunk and watching a Hallmark movie or what?”
“Of course, we are.” She grins and reaches for my remote. “Bring it on.”
I jump up and hurry to my kitchen to mix our cocktails together. Though cocktail is a generous word. It’s apple juice, mixed with amaretto and a tiny pump of cinnamon syrup.
“And while we pretend to watch it, you can tell me more about you and Caleb.” She accepts her glass with twinkling eyes and takes a sip. “Oh wow, that is good!”
“Right?” I have a little sip too. It’s cozy afternoons on my tongue. All apple crumble, with a hint of marzipan and the nice warmth that alcohol brings.
From the corner of her eye, I watch Nic blink at me with wide, puppy eyes, her whole body turned to me. I bite my lip, keeping my eyes forward as the Netflix logo forms on the screen.
“So? What’s been going on?”
“There’s some personal stuff happening that I don’t think Caleb would appreciate me sharing,” I say diplomatically and drink some more.
“Okay.” Nic nods and turns to the TV, pouting. “That’s alright. Not disappointing at all.”
We do this thing where we both pretend to watch the TV to decide which movie to see, but are actually watching each other from the corners of our eyes.
“We hugged,” I finally admit, turning to her. Immediately, she stops the movie, pulls her legs onto the couch and does the same.
“Was it a cute little hello hug, or like a hug hug?” she asks, and her question makes the corners of my mouth twitch.
“A hug hug,” I clarify, heat rushing to my cheeks.
“Okay.” She nods, a satisfied grin stretching her lips. “I can work with that.” She narrows her eyes. “Is he a good hugger?”
“The best.” I grin. “But remember how I told you about that tarot card reading Amanda gave me?” She nods.
“I do. You were supposed to be patient or something, right?” We look at each other for a moment before simultaneously bursting into laughter.
“That’s going to be a challenge for you, isn’t it?”
“Considering this is me we’re talking about, I think I am being kind of patient?” I hide a grin behind my glass. “I hate to say it, but Amanda was right. This-” I make a vague gesture. “does require patience. But when it comes to him, it comes to me surprisingly easy.”
Nic stares at me dreamily. “Then continue doing it.” She reaches for my hand. “You two are cute together. I mean, he lets you get away with your gingerbread syrup. Your banter brings him out of his shell. It’s a match made in heaven.”
“You have to say that. You’re my best friend.” I wave her off.
But she shoots me a pointed glare. “Hell yes, I’m your best friend. That means I have to be honest,” she points out, gesturing around with her hand holding the glass. “And it is my honest opinion that you two are cute together. He let you hold his hand, for crying out loud.”
The blood drains from my face, and my heart beats into my throat.
“You saw that?”
Her eyebrows furrow together, confused. “We weren’t supposed to? That was really fucking obvious, Lauren. We were sitting right next to you.”
“Fuck.” I let out a deep sigh and rub my hand over my forehead. “I don’t think whatever is happening between us is ready for the ‘getting teased by Kieran’ stage yet.”
“Oh, please.” Nic chuckles and rolls her eyes. “Kieran has about the same attention span as his dog. You’re okay.”
“Anyway…” I take the remote and reverse to the opening of the movie. “How is your search for interior design courses going?” After doing all the interior designing for her new home, it awakened a new passion in her.
Sometimes I get jealous. I wish I had something that clicked with me. That opens a path for my future, so I can stop floundering about worse than a fish on dry land.
“Not too great, to be honest.” Nic lifts her fluffy-sock clad feet onto my coffee table and drinks more of her cocktail.
“The earliest ones are kicking off in August.” She grimaces.
“So I’m extending my horizons and seeing what else I can do in the meantime, but…
” She lets out another deep sigh that comes from the depths of her soul.
“There are so many options, Lauren. Too many. I’m stumped.
Like, I’m not trying to become a doctor or anything.
But Basics of Neurology sounds interesting. ”
“Well, I’m sure most medicine courses are fun. Unless you, need to pass an exam. Or have strict parents breathing down your neck and expectations as a crushing weight on your shoulders.”
“I could go to law school,” she points out.
“Very Kim Kardashian of you.”
“I was thinking more about Elle Woods.” I chuckle and softly shake my head.
“You certainly have a wardrobe to rival hers.”
“I could study business and open a bookshop in town.” Now that piques my interest.
“I would be your best customer,” I assure her, trying to hide how exciting that sounds to me.
The internet is a blessing, but there is something wonderful about strolling around a bookstore, finding books you never would have seen online.
About picking up physical books to find out what they’re about and feel their weight in your hand.
“And I love how supportive you are. But I think I’ll stick to furniture.” She grins and softly shakes her head.
“Good for you.” I let out a deep sigh. “I’m trying out a lot of things, but man, nothing catches me, and I’m starting to run out of ideas.”
“You could ask Dimitri if he can teach you a thing or two about making furniture out of wood.”
“Or you could have him teach you about restoring furniture,” I point out.
Nic blinks at me. Once. Twice. Before her whole face lights up.
“You know what, Lauren? That is such a good idea.” She gently punches my upper arm. “We should do that. Next year. Because the two of us still have a friendly Christmas market competition hanging between the two of us.”
We stare at each other for a moment, playful tension in the air. Caleb might not be optimistic about winning against their dog-kissing booth idea, but I have not given up on victory yet.
A loud sound comes from the TV, and both of us flinch, my heart beating like it wants to run away.
“Holy shit,” I curse and quickly scroll on. “That caught me by surprise.”
“Why is the music so fucking loud?” Nic points out, clutching her chest.
“Okay, time for the biggest decision of this evening. Which one do we want to watch?” I finally found the Hallmark collection.
“One where she comes back to her small hometown from the city. Where he comes back to his small hometown from the city. Oh look! In this one, she is apparently also bringing her big-city boyfriend.”
“We could close our eyes and let luck decide.” Nic carefully sets down her half-empty glass on the coffee table and stretches her arms over her head. “Wait,” she suddenly says. “Is that Chad Michael Murray?”
We glance at each other. I don’t even need to know more. It is decided.
I click Play blindly and take another sip of my drink.
“Let’s have a nostalgia movie night with our childhood crush.”