Don't say words that you don't mean

 

Izzy didn't know how Lily could have a job in the cold like that at the grocery store. It had been so bitter cold, this January. Occasionally, they ran into each other, and sometimes, Izzy would drop by if she found some extra soaps and detergents that Lily could use. After all, they did live in the same apartment complex. Only it felt Lily lived in a different world, going solo in a studio.

"I went out with Brick," Lily said while Izzy was over. She made hot coffee while looking through the bag of goodies. Lily smiled as if she might be having Christmas all over again.

"Brick?" Izzy laughed as if she wouldn't think much of it. Yes, she and Harley usually managed to text about the weather and what was trending on Tic Toc. 

"What? You think something is going on with us?"

Izzy didn't know what to say. Maybe there was that tone in Lily's voice.

"Did you have a good time?"

"We at too much. He ended up eating my steak too and I was hoping to bring some of it home to make stew."

Lily shrugged about the matter as if she didn't really like Brick, after all.

"You should have told him?" Izzy looked at her blankly. "Remember, you can always drop by and eat with us."

"Oh, I dunno."

Lily winced, hugging herself at the small table that wasn't much for dining. It was quiet then. Izzy wasn't sure if she should stay or talk. 

"You used to be with Brick," Lily said out of the blue.

"Oh, that was very short-lived," Izzy didn't want to think about that time in her life. "Besides, I'm very much with Cowan now and well, maybe we'll get married this summer."

"Married?" Lily grimaced as if that were the worst idea. "Are you still going to have Mercer living with you?"

"Who knows, he seems to be taking off, you know with the acting, and he's done some local modeling gigs."

Izzy could tell Lily wasn't pleased with Mercer's success. 

"He doesn't talk about Cade at all?"

Izzy shook her head, no. That's when she mentioned that Rafe and Ruby were going to have a baby. Naturally, Lily snarled a look of disapproval.

"I think it's good for you and Brick to reconnect," Izzy said. "He's your oldest friend."

Maybe they did belong together.