Amari nods along listening to my story. “Uh huh.”
Ren gets up, taking the now empty glass from my hand over to the counter, refilling it.
“Then I went to get into my love bug. It was so cute. And I already miss her.” I pause and look up wistfully.
“Wait.” Ren returns, interrupting me, his anger turned into general confusion. “You miss that piece of shit?”
I gasp, reaching over to shove his arm. “Don’t call her that. The poor baby is probably still on the side of the road, completely rusted over because of you.”
He turns to Amari, looking cutely perplexed. “Paint was peeling off the roof,” he says like that proves his point.
“Anyway…” I roll my eyes.
“You couldn’t open the drivers side door.”
“It was all part of the charm!”
“She had to climb over the passenger seat to get in.”
“How would you know?” My eyebrows fly up and I stand straight, hands on hips. “You kidnapped me before you could see how awesome I was at sliding into my seat.” I turn back to Amari, with a proud smile on my face. “I felt like James Bond every time.”
“What!” she shrieks.
Ren sighs, running his fingers through his hair.
“You kidnapped her?” Her voice hasn’t dropped its tone. “And telling people you’re getting married?”
I nod. Yep. She nailed it.
Ren looks at me, his face a mask of boredom. “Are you happy now?”
“A little,” I say, biting the corner of my lip.
“Oh my god. Oh my god.” Amari, on the other hand still can’t believe it. “OH MY GOD.”
“Do you want a drink?” I pick up Ren’s full glass from the counter. “This stuff is really good.”
He snatches the drink from my hand. “This is Macallan and cost three thousand a bottle. You’re meant to sip it not chug it like you’re at a frat party.”
I roll my eyes at him being a baby and smirk. We’re stuck in our own little stare down, while Amari heads over to the fridge and grabs a bottle of vodka from the freezer. I think she’s still talking to God when she takes two glasses and pours them both full, sliding one in front of me.
“Now we’re talking.” I smile at her when we both clink our glasses. “But you’re wrong about one thing.”
She waits, drink pursed to her lips.
“He did kidnap me, but he’s not just telling people we’re getting married. He's actually making us get married.”
With that, I take a long chug, just like at a frat party.
Her mouth drops open, drink paused in the air. Then she throws it back herself, eyes bugging out of her head.
“Okay, I think sharing time is over.” Ren stands from leaning against the kitchen counter.
“He’s forcing you?” She doesn’t sound impressed, and it’s good to have someone on my side.
But there’s something in her face, that makes me feel bad. Like I just killed her favourite fairy-tale.
“Amari, it’s not like that.” Ren says, and snaps my empathy right out from me.