Page 50 of Carved in Ice (Made of Steel 3)

Sunday

I was trying to think of the perfect lead in. Liza clearly didn’t want to talk about work. And the extent of what she wanted to share about Eli had already been divulged. Even though I had a million more questions.

She shoved another Mike’s Hard Lemonade into my hand. My stomach was full of booze and junk food already. But whenever she gave me something she’d give me a stern look until I started eating or drinking it.

I had drunk so much I couldn’t even think straight anymore. Screw waiting for the perfect moment. We were on the third episode of The Bachelor, and in my opinion, Ben wasn’t vibing anyone. And this horrible witch Jazmine needed to be sent home before I lost my shit.

“If he doesn’t send Jazmine home at the end of this episode, I’m going to kill everyone,” Liza said. “I swear I’ll do it, and I won’t regret it for a second.”

I slapped her arm. “I was literally thinking the same thing!”

“Yeah?”

“Um…yes. She’s the freaking worst. How can Ben not see that he’s being played by a she-devil?”

“I know! And she doesn’t get along well with anyone else in the house. How does he expect she’s going to be when the shows over? Suddenly nice?”

We both laughed.

For the first time all night I actually realized that I was having a good time. A great time really. This was fun.

We stared at the TV and screamed at the end when Jazmine got the last rose of the night.

“He’s going to regret his choice as soon as he sees this train wreck in these episodes.”

I nodded. “And I don’t see how whoever he chooses will forgive him either.”

“Word.” She tapped her bottle against mine.

I realized that it didn’t even matter if I brought up something that Liza didn’t want to talk about. She’d talk about it anyway because clearly we were best friends. I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t realized it before. We even both hated Jazmine. And I was having the best time. If this night didn’t turn out to be a little progressive though, I’d wake up feeling bad. I need answers, damn it. “So I know you said that you liked V’s mask…”

“Oh, I really do. I love it. It’s so sexy, right?”

“Yeah.”

Liza laughed. “I knew you still had feelings for him.”

“What? No, I absolutely do not.” I didn’t say that. Had I just said that? God, how many of these stupid bottles had she made me drink?

“You just admitted that he’s sexy,” Liza said.

“Fine. Whatever. But who knows what he’s hiding under that mask. Let’s find out.”

“I’m sure he’ll reveal himself eventually.”

I kicked her under the blanket we were sharing.

“Ow! You’re such a slut!”

This time I did laugh at her not so nice nickname for me. “Liza, I’m serious. I don’t want to wait. Let’s unmask him tonight. It’ll be so much fun.”

She took a huge sip of her drink and her eyes grew round. “Like…tonight, tonight?”

I nodded.

“Oh my God, you’re right. Let’s do it!”

“Yeah?” I didn’t think she’d be that easy to convince. “Great. Well…do you have a plan?”

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