A slight frown forms on my face when I notice Carla standing to the side, deep in thought. Carla is like Fallon in many ways, and seeing her not taking part in the conversation is unlike her.
Before I can think it through, I move closer and lean back against the cupboard by her. I cross my arms over my chest and leaning down a little, I ask, “Are you okay?”
Her eyes widen on me again. “Ahh… yeah?” She shakes her head. “Not to ruin things, but why are you talking to me?”
I shake my head. “What do you mean?”
“You never talk to me unless you really have to,” she explains.
I shrug and glance over the kitchen. “I’m trying the friends thing, seeing as we’re now living together. Fighting with you is exhausting.”
“Oh… okay.” She relaxes and takes a sip of her wine.
My gaze drops to her, and I wait for her to comment more on what I just told her, but when she keeps quiet, I ask, “What? You have nothing to say?”
Shaking her head, she smiles at me. “Hell no. I’m taking the olive branch.” Carla grins, then does an impersonation of Edna from The Incredibles, “I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now.”
I let out a chuckle, then mutter, “Good.” When she takes another sip of her wine, I say, “You should eat something.”
Her eyebrow pops up, and she almost says something but then presses her lips tightly together. It looks like it’s killing her to keep quiet.
“Let it out before you stop breathing,” I mutter.
She begins to chuckle. “Careful, Noah. It’s seriously starting to sound like you care.”
I shake my head and pushing away from the counter, I walk to where Kao is shoving a piece of pizza in his mouth.
When everyone’s done eating, I help Kao clean up while the girls hang out in the living room.
“Things seem to be going okay with Carla,” he mentions as he hands me a plate to dry.
“Yeah. It’s weird but okay,” I admit.
“It’s a step forward, though,” he says.
“That remains to be seen,” I mutter.
Jase comes into the kitchen. “Hey, guys.”
“Hi,” I reply as I place the last plate in the cupboard.
“Why are you working on a Saturday?” Kao asks him.
“We’re busy with a big contract,” Jase explains. He grabs a beer from the fridge and gulps some down, then he asks Kao, “Are you going to show me around?”
I hang the towel on a hook so it can dry and walk to the living room. Jade is kissing Hunter as if she hasn’t seen him for months.
My gaze lands on Forest and Aria, where they look like a lovesick couple.
Yeah, fake relationship, my ass.
There’s a seat open next to Carla, and figuring it’s safe enough with everyone here, I drop down next to her. Her eyes are on her best friends, and there’s a slight frown on her forehead. She tilts her head closer to me and whispers, “Is it just my imagination, or do they look in love?”
My eyes go back to Forest and Aria. “Nope, not your imagination.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” she murmurs.
I can’t tell if she’s happy for them or not, so I ask, “Do you have a problem with them dating?”
Carla turns her eyes to mine. “No, I just hate when people hide things from me.” She shrugs. “If they’re happy with each other, that’s all that matters.” Her gaze goes back to them. “They’ve been best friends forever. I really think they could make a success of a relationship. They’re already committed to each other.”
Her words hit me deeper than I expected, and I ask, “Do you really think that’s all it takes?”
“Of course.” She frowns at me. “Don’t you?”
“Yeah, I’m just surprised you think so, too,” I reply.
Her frown deepens. “What do you mean by that?”
“Just,” I turn my body a little towards hers. “I would’ve thought you’d believe in true love.”
“What? Like falling madly in love and it staying that way forever?” she asks. When I nod, she chuckles, “Come on, Noah, we both know that’s only the initial hormones going into overdrive. When the honeymoon phase is over, it’s all work.”
Frowning, I lock eyes with her. “I’ll probably regret asking this,” I pause to think whether I shouldn’t just keep quiet, but then push through, “Why do you bother with me then?”
She lets out another chuckle. “Damn, you can’t even say it, can you?” Then she fucking mimics Donkey, “You’re so wrapped up in layers, onion boy, you’re afraid of your own feelings.” Leaning back against the chair, she glances away from me and out the window, and then she murmurs, “You’re worth the work.”
Her words make my heart constrict, and then there’s a burst of warmth in my chest. Frowning, I focus on the new emotion.
Is it gratitude? Maybe it’s because I’m flattered?