I put my arm around her and giggle, and she buries her head into my shoulder. I do the same thing.
?
I’m in the kitchen, starting breakfast, when Lucas walks in.
“I’m sorry Ava was rude. I don’t understand—”
“She’s not rude, Lucas. She’s adorable.”
He just looks at me.
“Lucas?”
“Need some help?” he asks and finally looks away. He grabs the eggs and starts cracking them into a bowl.
“I was going to fry them.”
“Oh, shit, I’m sorry.”
“I was joking.”
He sputters, “Pain in the ass.”
“Yeah, I know.” I walk to the sink and wash my hands. “Hey, Lucas?”
“What’s up?” he asks as he continues cracking eggs.
“I’m glad you’re here. Your friendship means a lot to me. I hope you know that.”
“Of course I know that,” he tries to joke.
“Can you be my friend, Lucas?”
“I can be whatever you need me to be.”
I watch his eyes as he looks down at the eggs. “I need you to be my friend.”
He nods. “Then that’s what you’ll have.”
“Even if that’s all—”
“Tessa, I get it, okay?” He looks up and smiles. “This is hard—”
“It may not ever get easier,” I whisper.
“I’m here as your friend. I shouldn’t have pushed.”
“I’m sure I did a lot of the pushing.” I laugh, trying to ease the sadness that shows on his face.
“Yeah, well, I was there, too.” He lets out a long, slow breath. “I’m your friend. Always. Regardless, okay?”
“Thank you.”
We’re silent for a while.
“Okay, let’s get the troops fed.” Lucas laughs awkwardly.
As we’re making breakfast, people are in and out, grabbing eggs, toast, bacon, fruit, and orange juice that Lucas decided should be freshly squeezed.