“Oh, good, because while you’re doing these, I may have invited Harlow to help me make a batch of cookies.” And right on time, the doorbell rang.
Raven had messed up. Trying Abriana’s food was a guaranteed illness. She didn’t eat enough right now to be able to survive. It was official, she was dead tonight.
Raven didn’t know if she would prefer the bullet she faced each night or the dreaded stomach illness.
Seconds later, Harlow entered the kitchen with Abriana not too far behind. Abriana was clever to wait until the last minute to tell her about this little … lesson.
“Hey, Raven,” Harlow said.
“Hey.”
Raven grabbed another invitation and stuck it into the envelope, sealed it, and grabbed a pen to write the name of the invite on the front. This was important to Abriana, so she wasn’t going to disappear on her friend.
“Any issues with that asshole?”
“Not a single one, which is awesome. Thanks for that,” Harlow said.
“No problem. I’m pleased I could help.” She smiled at the young woman and then got back to work with the stationery.
Raven made sure to check the other woman out when her back was turned. Did Harlow not want her around? She pointed at Harlow and gave a thumbs up or down as she looked at Abriana.
Her friend gave her a thumbs up.
After everything that went down with Ava, Raven knew she had fucked up big time. Losing Abriana’s friendship had been hard. It had taken the beating, and when she recovered with them, Abriana dressing her up like a girl, to help make everything right. Raven still owned the dresses purchased for her. The time with Abriana had been fun and difficult.
She had hated dressing up, but she did love clothes, so she didn’t see much of an issue. Not that she wore them now. Hell, no.
“You weren’t exactly clear on what you wanted to learn, and I’m a vegan and all of that, so I was thinking I’d teach you without animal products.”
Raven wanted to do a cross over her chest.
It was bad enough that Abriana had nearly killed the whole club with her undercooked chicken. Maybe cooking things without any animal products would be the best way.
Abriana clapped her hands. “I’m so excited. I’ve already promised Ugly Beast that I will have some chocolate chip cookies for him.”
“Awesome.”
“He also said that he’d make an appointment at the dentist.”
Raven tried not to smirk. “That is Ugly Beast, always thinking ahead.”
Abriana sighed. “I know, but I can’t be … upset. I’m not the best cook.”
“I’m sure that is not true.” Harlow certainly sounded positive. The woman hadn’t tried any of the food Abriana had cooked.
Raven kept her lips closed. She didn’t need to help her friend. Harlow would soon learn.
“It, er, kind of is. I try, but I don’t know what it is about these hands, they do not make good food.”
“Let’s see how it goes.”
While Abriana and Harlow baked some cookies, Raven continued to stuff the invitations into envelopes.
The baking was a … disaster. Even before Abriana got to baking them, at first, she splattered the cupboards with the vegan butter. Then she spilled sugar all over the floor. The flour, even Raven couldn’t dodge as that landed in her hair.
Abriana was a mess.
After the third batch, there was something scooped out onto baking trays. Harlow looked exhausted. Abriana excused herself to go answer the door, which had rung again.
“Oh, my, I have never … is she always like this?” Harlow asked.
“You mean trashing her kitchen in her quest to become one of the best cooks?” Raven asked.
Harlow nodded.
“Yep. She tries.”
“They don’t smell right,” Harlow said.
“No? I thought the smell of dishwasher was supposed to be normal.”
Harlow started to laugh, and Raven felt a little better seeing the woman at ease. Her happiness faded when she saw Ava entering the kitchen with Umberto in her arms.
“I heard you were coming by to bake,” Ava said.
Raven tensed up.
Crap.
Shit.
Fuck.
She had to get the fuck out of there without hurting anyone’s feelings. Raven stayed perfectly still, hoping Ava wouldn’t see her.
Ava looked toward her. “Hi, Raven.”
“Hi.”
“Er, what is that smell?” Ava asked.
Umberto gave a little moan in her arms.
“Let me,” Abriana said, already taking the squirming young child out of Ava’s arms.
“That is my cue to leave,” Raven said, getting to her feet. “You want me to deliver these?”
“Oh,” Abriana said. “You don’t have to go.”
“It’s no big deal. Trust me. I can head out and deliver all of these. I’ll even stop by for Jonah and Larissa, if you want?” Raven begged for Abriana to see sense.
She didn’t want to hurt Ava. There had been enough damage, and the only way she could make up for the damage she caused was to disappear, to fade away.
Because you don’t deserve this.
Ava is better than you.
You’re a horrible piece of shit.