Ghost Of You (Michael Berzatto X Black!OC X Eventual Richie Jerimovich)

28. Friendsgiving

2021-Chicago, Illinois

A few months had passed since Angie and Michael had reversed their separation. He had moved out of Donna's house, and into Angie's new apartment. But the opposite was happening to Richie and Tiffany. Once their divorced was finalized, Richie began to spend a lot of time at his best friend's place.

Angie chopped the lettuce and dumped it into the salad bowl while Mikey answered the door. Richie and Eva walked into the apartment with wide smiles. Sophia instantly greeted her cousin as the two girls ran off to her room.

"Did you bring the-"

"Yes, I brought mashed potatoes." Richie replied to Angie. "I don't know why you're freaking out so much. It's just thanksgiving."

"It's not just thanksgiving. It's the first thanksgiving we're hosting since everything happened."

"So?"

"So, I want everything to be perfect so that we can show people that we're doing good."

"Who's all gonna be here?" Richie picked a piece of food off one of the plates.

Angie swatted his hand. "It's just Sugar, Pete, Neil, and Ted."

"That's not so bad."

"And Tiff."

"You gonna be okay with her here, man?" Mikey asked his friend.

"Yeah. I talk to her every week." He scoffed. "I'll be fine." Angie and Mikey looked at each other before turning back to Richie. "What?"

"Nothing."

"What're you not telling me?"

"Stop being paranoid." She told him. "You'll be fine. Now, would you help Mikey set the table?"

He rolled his eyes and grabbed a stack of plates. "Fine."

🤍

'Knock, knock'

"Babe, can you get the door?" Angie called. Mikey was too busy playing cards with the Faks to hear. "Can someone get it?"

"I got it." Richie got up and opened the door. "Tiff."

"Hey."

"Hey, Richie."

"Frank." His smile dropped as the couple walked into the apartment.

"Hey!" Angie grinned. She wiped her hands on a towel before hugging them both. "So glad you could make it!"

"Of course. Thanks for having us."

"I didn't know what kind of wine you liked, so I brought this one." Frank handed her a bottle of red wine, which Angie quickly hid in the cabinet.

"Thanks. We might get into that a little later."

"Ange, can I talk to you for a sec?" Richie asked.

She sighed and walked with him out into the hallway. "I know what you're gonna say."

"How could you invite Frank?"