Page 59 of Free to Live

“Ihad a great time at the movie the other night,” Joe tells me.

“Me too. We’ll have to figure out a time to do it again.” I’m sitting on top of my bed rubbing lotion on my arms.

“Absolutely. You can choose next time though. I still can’t get over how awful that movie that was.”

I laugh at the disgust in Joe’s voice. “God, it was the worst thing I’ve seen next to Phil trying to decorate cupcakes we were shipping out for Brendan Blake’s nephew.” There’s such a long silence, I check to make sure we’re still connected by hitting the screen with my elbow. Seeing we’re still connected, I wait.

“I kind of don’t know where to go with that.”

“With what?”

“The fact that you were decorating cupcakes for Brendan Blake’s nephew. I mean, he’s a huge star.” Ah.

“He’s also just a guy who has a nephew he adores who was really ill.” It was weird for me to consider Brendan a family friend as well at first, but he’s a great guy who loves being able to cut loose with those he trusts in his downtime.

“Was?”

“Knock on wood, he’s been in remission for a few years.” Even I can hear the relief in my own voice.

“Shit. Cancer?”

“Yes.”

“How do you all know him?” Through the phone, I hear the clink of the ice cubes of the drink Joe told me he was having earlier.

“Well, Corinna was on Food Network with Brendan a few years ago…”

Joe’s incredulous voice comes through the line. “Seriously?”

I laugh. “Yes. And through Brendan, we met his fiancée, Dani—who also happens to be Em’s fiancé’s cousin.”

“Say that to me again when I might have a chance at understanding it. Let’s go back to something I might understand. Is it just Phil who sucks at baking?”

“No, we all pretty much do. Most of us can at least cook.”

“I’d have thought all of you would be exceptional at it since Corinna would have passed along her tricks.”

“It’s precisely for that reason we all are awful at it. Why bother when you can just ask for the best? Ali and I were spoiled the worst; we lived with her for years during college. Although—” I lean back against my pillows. “—the only thing Cori can’t make as well as any of us is banana pudding.”

“Really?”

“Yep.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Every single time. She absolutely hates it because I won’t hand over my recipe.”

“Huh. Maybe you’ll make it for me sometime.”

“If you’re lucky,” I smirk. “So far that recipe has only been eaten by members of this family.”

“Damn. Can’t I have leftovers? Lick the bowl? Something? I’m willing to do just about anything. I love banana pudding.”

Nabbing my phone from the blanket next to me, I’m about to thumb off the call. “Good night, Joe.”

“Night, Hols. Now I’ll be dreaming of things that are creamy and taste good.”

I burst out laughing as I disconnect the call.