Page 46 of Ronan
I let out a frustrated breath. I do want to be alone, but there is also a part of me that doesn’t. “Ok, girls’ night. I have one question though, are you all this bossy?”
She laughs, nodding her head as she pours us a glass of wine each. “Yup, we really are.”
Less than an hour later and Alex arrives with an Indian take-away and more wine, and we sit down to choose a movie.
“Please tell me you didn’t let Bella pick the movie… if I have to sit throughPretty Womanone more time…”
“Hey, there is nothing wrong withPretty Woman, it’s a classic.”
“Liv, trust me, she watches it at least once per week. I’ve seen it at least fifteen times in the last month. Please let’s not watch it again.”
I laugh and take a sip of wine, letting them both stew for a few minutes before putting them out of their misery. “How about we opt forPitch Perfect?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect.”
We sit through the first movie and we’re just starting the second one, when Bella jumps up. Alex and I look to one another and roll our eyes, laughing as we watch Bella bounce into the kitchen. That woman is always so full of energy––she’s exhausting.
She brings back another bottle of wine and sinks onto the sofa, between Alex and I, pouring each of a glass before placing the bottle on the table.
“So, you’re spending Christmas day with us, right?” I think for a minute she’s talking to Alex, until neither of them says anything and I turn to find them both watching me.
“Err… me? No.” I turn back to the movie, thinking the matter is closed, but Alex reaches out, grabbing the remote and pausing the movie.
“No, you’re spending it with all of us, it’s already been agreed. Connor said today when he got back that you’d be with us on Christmas.”
“Everybody will be there from Christmas Eve, that’s why we’re here tonight… girls’ night tonight then we’re all headed to out Killian’s tomorrow night, then big family dinner Christmas day.” Bella smiles, wrapping her arm around my shoulder.
“Oh, Bells, I think maybe we just invited her before Ronan actually did.”
“Oh shit… oh shit, I didn’t even think about the fact he’s not back. Officially, I don’t know either, it was Connor who told Alex that Ronan had said you were going to be there.”
“Wait, he did?” They both smile and nod.
“Yeah, Connor called me again from the plane and I mentioned to him that Bells and I were planning on coming here tonight. He said to just bring you straight to Killian’s tomorrow, that Ronan had told them he was bringing you to Christmas lunch.”
“How about we just watch the next movie and I pretend neither one of you said anything.”
“Yeah, deal.”
“Agreed.”
We clink our glasses and settle in for the rest of the night, watching movies, getting to know one another and drinking.
Other than Diane, I’ve never really had friends, so I’ve never done this sort of thing before… it’s nice. It’s nice to have people in my corner. I like having friends.
* * *
“Hey, Alex, how come Bella and I feel like we’ve been hit by trucks and you’re bouncing around my kitchen this morning like you didn’t even get a sniff of alcohol, never mind drank any?”
“Ha, ha, that might have something to do with the fact that I stopped drinking after the wine, while you two opened the whiskey. Now, ladies, drink your coffees and I’ll finish your breakfasts, you both need grease.”
My stomach rolls at the thought of eating anything, and I know Bella feels the same when she runs out of the kitchen in the direction of the bathroom. Alex glances in the direction Bella ran and giggles, turning back to the stove.
Ten minutes later, we’re all sitting at the counter, eating. Well, Alex is eating, Bella and I are playing with our food.
“Eat, I promise it will make you feel better. So, Liv, last night when you were a little drunk, you mentioned something about Josie…”