In our game of wits, he’s definitely winning.
Which, of course, really pisses me off.
I call my mom and leave her a message. She never told me exactly when she’d be arriving but it should be this afternoon. Then I change into an old pair of gym shorts and one of my favorite science shirts. This one says Higgs Boson Gives Me A Hadron.
It’s incredibly geeky and always puts a smile on my face.
An hour later, I’m in the middle of rearranging the pictures on the wall when the front door opens with no warning. The couch is sitting in the middle of the floor blocking my escape route so I clutch the level in my hand like a weapon. Then Casey pokes her head in, looking both ways, before she enters.
“It’s safe!” she calls over her shoulder.
“Are you sure?” Mya’s voice echoes in from the hallway.
Casey glances at me. “You’re not doing anything weird in here, are you?”
I scowl.
She shrugs. “I had to ask.”
Mya follows her inside. “See, I told you. I knew it was bad. It’s always bad when she starts moving the furniture around.”
“What are you guys doing here?”
“This is an intervention!” Casey holds up a finger for emphasis.
“Oh dear god.”
I give up on the pictures and throw the level onto the couch. I contemplate moving it back so they can sit and then decide it can stay. Maybe if they have to sit at an awkward angle in the middle of the floor they’ll go away. I head into the kitchen.
“Wait, where are you going?” Casey asks. She kneels to pet Oreo who has come padding out of the bedroom at the sound of voices.
“This situation requires coffee.”
Mya takes a seat at the kitchen island. While the coffee is brewing, I grab a bag of chips for her and then stand on tiptoe to reach the top cabinet for the gross little pecan wheel thingies Casey likes to snack on.
“You’ve been busy,” Mya comments looking around the room.
“Hello, Ariana. How have you been? You look ravishing as always,” I say in a high-pitched voice.
“Is that supposed to be me?” Mya snickers.
“No, that’s Casey. You’re more like this,” I clear my throat and lower my voice. “Bitch, why is this room so messy?”
Mya laughs. “Do I have laryngitis?”
Casey crosses her arms. “This is serious. We’re worried about you. You haven’t been yourself lately.”
“By that she means you’ve been really quiet and well-behaved,” Mya chimes in.
“I’m fine, guys. No intervention needed.” I pour myself a cup of coffee and inhale the orgasmic scent. “This is the only thing I need right here.”
Mya takes a chip from the bag and eats it with a loud crunch.
“You’ve been weird since the engagement party. Don’t try to deny it. You barely said two words all night.”
I take a long bracing sip of coffee. They both stare expectantly. I sigh. Clearly they aren’t going away.
“Maybe it’s not so easy to be around all these happy couples. Did you ever think of that? Everyone is pairing off. You’ve got Happy Hour Hottie. Casey’s with Mr. Instagram.”