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Part 3: Pizza Party

I made Mina leave the Dam early to get everything in the home straightened up.

Not that my house is unorganized and unkept- there's never a dust bunny out of place, but I am very OCD about how my home looks.

Not that Max would care.

And if he did, he would sweetly keep it to himself.

BUT that is not the point.

The point is, is Max is coming over for the first time and no matter how clean and spotless my house is- it is still a mess.

"Hey, what's got your knickers in a twist?" Lauren taps me on the shoulder as I walk towards the exit- ready to leave for the day. Looking her over, she seems...oddly pleasant.

"Max is coming over tonight for..."

"Ooo!!! Is it finally happening? Is the deed getting done tonight?!"

"What is it with you people? He and Luna are coming over for pizza with Mina and I. Why the Hell are you doing that?" I ask as I'm distracted by her overly big smile.

"I have the most amazing thing to tell you and I don't want you to freak out or take it the wrong way."

"You and Casey are shagging? Not surprised." Her face sours and she lets go of my arm she was previously holding onto.

"No! Why would you...never mind. I have someone finally."

"What do you mean?" I ask as we exit.

"I have a..." She pauses again- unsure as to what to say. "I have a g...a Leyla."

Glancing at her curiously, I wonder what she means exactly.

She has a Leyla?

What the Hell does that mean?

"You're gonna need to elaborate on that, Babe." Growling, she leans closer and whispers/ mumbles.

"I have a girl...girlfriend."

A girlfriend?

A Leyla...

Fuck! She does not!

She is not?!

"No!"

"Shhh...."

"You're dating Leyla?!"

"Shut up!" She covers my mouth and I like her palm- as disgusting as that is. "Ew! Covid- Helen!"

"Worth it if it means I get to ride your arse instead of the other way around. You have a girlfriend!"

"Yes. I have...a girlfriend."

"Why are you whispering it?! Are you embarrassed? You shouldn't be embarrassed. This is great. You can start having a life outside the ED." She shrugs and yet a small smile keeps creeping farther up her face. "This will be good for you. Although...what about Casey?"

"What about Casey?" I ask and she looks at me oddly. "What about him?"

Rolling my eyes, we continue towards Manucci's Pizza, because theirs is the best.

"He likes you- like a lot. Did you not know that? We all thought you two were secretly a thing."

"Casey does not have feelings for me...besides- I...I really like Leyla. It feels normal being home with her. More normal than it had with Floyd."

"Wow...well...I'm happy for you. I really hope it works out." Getting to the pizza shop, I look at her curiously. I don't want to be alone with Max tonight. I feel weird as it is just having him coming to my apartment, let alone him and I just hanging out while Mina gets acquainted with Luna. "Hey...would you and Leyla like to come over tonight? For pizza?"