Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 85154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“That’s to share.” I grab a fork and knife from beside her. “No way can you eat all that meat.”
“I can eat plenty of meat,” she retorts, snickering as I stay still when I look over at her. “I might not like balls in my face, but I’m very okay with meat.”
“Eeew.” I fake vomiting while I cut a piece of chicken. “I never want to have a picture of you with balls in your face and meat.”
“The balls are not in my face,” she reminds me, grabbing the shrimp plate, “they are usually on my chin.” She twirls the spaghetti on her spoon. “Unless it’s like upside down and the balls are in my face.”
“Are you trying to make me give up this chicken parm?” I ask as I put a piece in my mouth. “Because it’s not working.” I grab another piece of chicken, looking over at her. “How are you doing, for real?”
“I think I’m still in shock.” She avoids looking at me. “It’s strange, I know. It’s not like we grew up together or anything like that.” She shrugs.
“She was still your sister,” I say softly.
“I know,” she murmurs and I see her pushing her food around in front of her, “and she was really an amazing person, even with all the shit that was thrown at her.” Her fork drops from her hands, and she wipes a tear away from her cheek. “My heart is broken for Cici because she’ll never know.”
I drop my own fork and put my arm around her shoulders, bringing her to me as I kiss her temple. “I have no doubt you are going to make sure she doesn’t forget her.” I put my head on top of hers.
She takes a deep inhale and I let her go, picking up my fork again. “I met with my lawyer today.”
I stare at her. “Why didn’t you call me?” She just shrugs and I know this shouldn’t surprise me since she is always used to doing things on her own, but I’m pissed I couldn’t be there for her. “You should have called me.”
"It’s okay.” She avoids looking at me. “She’s a lawyer who is also my client.”
“That’s good.” I twirl some spaghetti on my fork. “What did she say?” I ask before I put the forkful in my mouth.
“Well,” she says, smiling when she turns to me, “she has a will, so that is a good thing. She had everything taken care of.” Her voice gets thick. “And I mean everything. Her lawyer already contacted the funeral home where she will be cremated tomorrow. She doesn’t even want a service. She just wanted to be cremated and put in the urn she picked out herself.” I know that she is babbling in an effort not to cry or freak out. “And she is to be placed in her final resting place that is in a mausoleum.” She swallows the lump in her throat. “She left me Cici, so that should be easy, but…” Her voice is happy as she trails off.
“But what?” I ask, not sure what she is going to say. “It’s in her will. She is giving you Cici. There is no but, right?”
“Funny you should ask.” Her voice sounds really weird, making me stop chewing. “I need a favor.”
I don’t even hesitate, never, not with her. “Anything,” I say, grabbing my beer and taking a pull.
“Good, glad you said that.” She puts her hand on mine. “Makes this easier,” she mumbles. “Even though she has a will and I get Cici without anyone contesting it. There is still just a little bit of a hiccup.” She closes her finger and thumb together. “A little bit of an issue.” She turns to me and all I can do is stare at her and hold my breath. She puts on the fakest, biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face. I have no idea what the favor is, and not going to lie, I’m a little scared right now. I don’t know what I was expecting her to ask me, but I will say I was definitely not expecting the words that came out of her mouth. “Will you marry me?”
My hand is in the process of putting the bottle of beer back down on the counter when it stops mid-action. I shake my head. “Excuse me?” I say, not sure I heard what she said. I laugh nervously. “I could have sworn you said.” I put the bottle of beer down or maybe it just falls out of my hand, landing with a thud. “You said marry you.” I shake my head again and laugh, thinking how ridiculous that sounds. When I don’t hear her laughing, I turn back to look at her. “You have got to be kidding me.” My voice goes higher than I want it to go, almost shriek-like. “What the fuck?” my mouth spits out, and my heart beats so fast in my chest I think it's going to come out. I push my stool away from the counter, jumping off it. “Are you insane?” I walk around the counter, the nerves filling my body. I open the oven and take the pizza out. “Are you joking?” I ask as I toss the soggy, half-cooked, half-defrosted pizza in the trash. “Are you going to jump up and say gotcha anytime soon?” I stand here waiting for her to say it, waiting for her to tell me I didn’t hear what I think I did. Waiting for her to tell me anything.