Page 70 of Desperate Pucker
I crack open the can and grab a glass, fill it with ice, and pour myself some Coke. I close my eyes and hum at the crisp sweetness.
Bruce rubs up against my legs, purring loudly. I smile down at him.
“He’s pretty great, isn’t he?”
My phone buzzes with a text from Ingrid.
Ingrid: Hey! Ryker told us you’ve been home sick dealing with food poisoning. How are you feeling now?
Me: A lot better. Thanks for checking on me.
Ingrid: Yay! Are you hungry? Want me to bring you some food?
Me: You don’t need to do that. And aren’t you leaving with the team to go to Salt Lake City?
Ingrid: I’m staying back to work on a project, the social media intern is going to travel with them. I can stop by and drop off some food for you. I’m always starving after recovering from a stomach bug. What are you in the mood for?
My stomach growls at the mention of food.
Me: You sure you don’t mind? I don’t want you to go out of your way.
Ingrid: I’d love to! Really!
Me: I’d love some pho if that’s not too much trouble.
Ingrid: No trouble at all :) And hey, Dakota, Maya, and Bella were asking if they could bring you anything too, so they might stop by with me, if that’s okay? Sophie wanted to too, but she had to travel with the team.
I smile down at my phone screen, heartened that my new friends care so much about me.
Me: That would be awesome to see you all :)
Ingrid: On our way!
I hop in the shower to clean myself up after two days of being sick on the bed and couch. An hour later, I’m sitting in my living room with Ingrid, Maya, Bella, and Dakota.
“We brought you way too much food.” Dakota chuckles at the spread on my coffee table.
There’s pho takeout for all of us, banana bread, rice pudding, and a fruit plate.
My tummy rumbles as I dig into my pho. I hum at the savory flavors bursting on my tongue.
“Oh my god,” I moan while chewing, then slurp more of the broth. “This is so good.”
“Best pho in Denver,” Ingrid says as she digs into her bowl.
“Thanks so much, you guys,” I say to them. “This is so nice of you to go out of your way for me.”
Ingrid flashes a bright smile. “We’re your friends, Madeline. We’re happy to.”
A warm feeling washes over me.
“Are you okay?” Dakota says when I go quiet.
I offer a small smile. “Yeah, it’s just…I’m not used to this. It’s been a while since I’ve had a group of girl friends to hang out with.”
They all look at me, their expressions sympathetic.
“I was so focused on figure skating most of my life that I let everything else fall behind. Including friendships.”
