Page 51 of Not Safe For Work

“I got it,” I say, grabbing the phone off the island. I glare at Gabby and shake my wet hair at her.

“Hello?”

“Hi.” I must be smiling already because Gabby pokes me in the chest with a wooden spoon. I back away and head toward my room to get dressed. I can’t help it. I like Liv’s voice. “You really want me to come over?”

“Of course. Churro asked for you specifically, and I hate disappointing him.”

Her laugh rings through the phone and I swear I can feel the sound in my entire body.

“Well, I wouldn’t want to let down my favorite hedgehog. What can I bring?”

“Just you. And maybe some luck because Gabby and I are both masters at Sushi Go.”

“Sushi Go?” Liv asks through the phone.

“Yeah, it’s a card game. Don’t worry, it's really easy, definitely meant for children. But we love it.”

“Can’t wait.”

I hang up the phone and throw on some sweatpants and a T-shirt. I’m freshly showered but somehow also sweating. Liv and I have hung out together several times now, but something about having her here with Gabby and Kadesha changes things. There’s no pretending to be cool when I’m playing a children’s card game with my sister.

The funny thing is, I invited her over thinking it would be helpful toher. That if we’re going to be sharing a hotel room together in a week, we should get to know each other as much as we can. I hate the idea of contributing to Liv’s anxiety and I want her to feel as comfortable around me as possible. Luckily I was able to call the hotel and secure a room with two beds.

But now I’m the one who’s anxious and jittery. Liv and I are friends now. We flirt. Am I going to ruin that tonight when she sees how Gabby and I fight over cards covered in smiling tempura shrimp?

My thought spiral must be worse than I thought, because what feels like thirty seconds later, someone’s knocking on our door.

“What’s with the watermelon?”

Liv arrives just after seven. She’s still in the same clothes from work and has her laptop bag slung over her shoulder. But she’s also carrying a whole watermelon, something my sister points out oh so graciously.

“It’s for Churro. I read they’re a healthy treat for hedgies,” she answers, her voice small and unsure. I flash a quick glare at Gabby.

“I’m sure he’ll love it. Come on in.” I grab the watermelon from Liv and offer it to Gabby but she swiftly turns away.

“I’ll cut some up for him,” Kadesha offers. She takes the melon and places it on the counter, and extends a hand to Liv. “I’m Kadesha, Gabby’s girlfriend. We’re so excited you’re here.”

Liv looks skeptical, and I don’t blame her after the greeting from my sister, but she offers a smile and lets me take her bag to set down by the door.

“Do you want to change?” I ask. We’re all in sweats and pajamas but Liv’s got on the typical blazer and pointy heels. There’s no way she’s going to be comfortable in that.

“Umm, I’m okay. I didn’t want to go all the way home. I was down in SOMA after work so…” She trails off. I look at Gabby, hoping she’ll get the hint and offer something to Liv. They’re about the same size. She either doesn’t understand, or she’s still very much anti-Olivia.

“Come on, you can borrow something of mine. I want you to be comfortable.”

“Okay,” she says with a hefty amount of hesitation, following me into my room.

I grab a few options. Sweatpants, sweatshirts, shorts, T-shirts, throw them all on the bed. “Wear whatever you want,” I say before closing the door so she can have some privacy.

Gabby rolls her eyes at me when I come back to the living room. They go so high I’m worried they’ll get stuck that way.

“Shut up.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Your face says it all.”

“Can you two behave for one night?” Kadesha scolds.

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