Alice turned from the locked front door and marched straight into the kitchen. Her eyes blazed. She confronted her sister.
-Seriously, Betty?!
Betty flinched.
-You dosed us with that aphro-shit on purpose, didn't you? Alice demanded. Couldn't handle the fact that maybe, just maybe, I might actually enjoy myself without a bunch of chemical enhancers?
She poked Betty's chest. Hard.
Zed walked back into the kitchen. He grabbed a rag and started wiping the spilled curry off the table.
-No fighting girls, it's not necessary, Zed said.
Betty bit her lip. She avoided Alice's glare.
-I didn't mean for things to get so out of hand, Alice... I swear, Betty stammered. I just thought that maybe, if you let yourself feel something again, you could start healing. Moving forward.
Zed looked up from the table.
-Is that what this is about? Zed asked. Do you want to talk about it, Alice?
Alice scowled. She wanted to rage at him too, but she rounded back on her twin instead. She was shaking.
-Healing? Forward movement? Oh please, spare me the Hallmark bullshit, Bets! You knew exactly what you were doing, manipulating me like that. Using chemicals to strip away my choices, my control!
Alice advanced. She backed her sister up until Betty hit the wall. Nowhere left to flee.
Zed dropped the rag. He stepped up behind Alice. He gently grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back from Betty.
-Don't blame the chocolates for your libido, Alice, he whispered in her ear.
Alice stiffened. Her first instinct was to shrug him off, to fight. But the calm, steady tone in his voice made her pause.
She drew a shaky breath. Her shoulders sagged. The fight drained out of her onto the floor.
-I... I'm not blaming the damn candy, she muttered.
She sounded tired now. The anger was gone, leaving behind something tangled. Frustration. Vulnerability.
-It scared me, okay?
Zed caressed her sides.
-I don't want you to be scared, Zed purred.
Alice inhaled deeply. She let herself lean back into his embrace, momentarily distracted from the argument.
-Shhh, not so loud, she murmured. I know, I know...
Zed reached a hand past Alice. He cupped Betty's cheek.
-Will you apologize, Betts?
Betty bit her lip. She met Alice's heated gaze, seeing the fear hiding just beneath the surface.
-I'm sorry, Alice, Betty whispered. She blinked back tears. Truly, I never meant to hurt or manipulate you. I just... I hate seeing you closed off like this, pushing people away.
Zed rubbed Alice's sides.
-Do you forgive her?
Alice took a deep, shuddering breath. She wanted to yell, but a quieter part of her understood her sister's desperation.
She blew her bangs out of her face.
-Fine. I forgive you. This time.
Zed turned Alice around to face him. He pulled her in.
-Now how do we make it up to you?
Alice mumbled into his chest. Grudging, but calming down.
-I dunno, surprise me with breakfast tomorrow, I guess. Pancakes, bacon, the whole works. None of that boring toast nonsense.
She pulled back slightly. She fixed Zed with a stern glare and jabbed a finger into his chest.
Zed looked at Betty.
-You got that for tomorrow morning, Betty?
Betty managed a small smile.
-Of course, I'd be happy to whip up a special breakfast for all of us. How about blueberry pancakes with a hint of lemon zest, crispy bacon, and a side of fresh fruit salad?
Betty looked at her sister. Hopeful.
-Does that sound alright to you, sis? I want to make amends properly.
-I guess that means you plan to spend the night again, Alice? Zed asked.
Alice raised an eyebrow. A smirk finally broke through her scowl. She leaned back against his chest, enjoying the solid warmth.
-Well, well, aren't you presumptuous? Who said anything about spending the night? Maybe I just want to make sure breakfast happens, hmm?
-Turning this place into a bed and breakfast? Zed asked.
Alice rolled her eyes.
-Please, don't get ahead of yourself, stud. One fancy breakfast does not a B&B make. Besides, I have zero interest in playing hostess to a never-ending stream of guests.
She paused. She looked around the wrecked kitchen, then back at Zed.
-Although, I suppose I could be persuaded to stick around a little longer. If the accommodations were sufficiently enticing.
She turned fully in his arms. She looped her arms around his neck. Playful.
-What do you have in mind, Alice?
Alice leaned in closer. Her voice dropped to a husky murmur.
-Well, for starters, a big, comfy bed would be nice. Somewhere we can all... unwind after a long day.
-I understand, Zed whispered.
He took Alice's hand in his. He reached his other hand out to Betty.
Betty stepped forward. She took his hand and leaned her head gently on his shoulder.
-That sounds wonderful, Zed. A cozy nest for the three of us.
Zed led them back upstairs to the master bedroom. He headed straight into the bathroom and turned the taps, running a hot bath.
Alice followed him. She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe, watching the steam rise. Her eyebrows were raised in skepticism.
-A bath, really? Isn't that a bit cliché, stud?
Despite the biting words, the tension was bleeding out of her shoulders. The scent of the hot water was working.
-And who said anything about sharing? she added. Last I checked, I'm perfectly capable of bathing myself, thanks .
-You can bathe yourself, Zed said. Let her take a bath first, he told Betty. I think there's some Thai food still on her.
He walked past Alice, emerging from the bathroom. He stripped off his jeans and slid into the bed next to Betty, wearing nothing but his boxers.
Alice sighed heavily. The fight was completely gone now.
-Ugh, fine. Twist my arm, why don'tcha?
She began stripping off her damp, rumpled clothes with efficient motions. She closed the bathroom door behind her.
In the quiet of the bedroom, Betty smiled softly. She snuggled closer to Zed instinctively. She ran a gentle hand across his bare chest.
-Mmm, you certainly make our temporary home very inviting, Zed, she murmured.
Zed waited until the sound of splashing water echoed from the bathroom. He leaned in close.
-I have to ask you a sensitive question, he whispered.
Betty turned to face him fully. Her expression was soft, attentive. She sensed the sudden seriousness in the room and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
-Of course, Zed. What is it?
-Is Alice on meds?
Betty paused. The question caught her off guard. She bit her lower lip thoughtfully.
-Yes, Betty said softly. Alice has been prescribed medication. Anti-anxiety pills and antidepressants, mostly. She started taking them a few years ago.
She looked down at their joined hands, her thumb tracing his. She took a deep breath to steel herself.
-After Mom passed away, Betty whispered. It was a really difficult time for both of us, but especially for Alice. She fell into a pretty dark place mentally for a while.
-Does she travel with them or should we go pick them up for her? Zed asked. Does she usually act like this?
Betty narrowed her eyes slightly. Protective instincts surged up.
-Listen, I've already told you more than I probably should have about Alice's personal business, Betty said firmly. Her medical history and medications are private matters .
-I'm just concerned about her, Zed said. If she's naturally moody, that's ok.
Betty sighed softly. She appreciated the concern, even if she felt compelled to defend Alice.
-Thank you for understanding, Zed, she said. Alice doesn't typically carry her medication with her unless she plans to be away for an extended period.
-We can take a trip to your place for a few things, Zed suggested. We don't have to tell her it's for the meds, but she can pick them up when we're there .
Betty bit her lip, glancing worriedly toward the closed bathroom door.
-I suspect skipping her medication may be contributing to her heightened emotions and irritability tonight, Betty admitted. Alice can be quite stubborn about relying on anything, even something meant to help her.
She met his gaze.
Zed leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. Betty melted into it, savoring the gentle warmth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, returning the kiss with growing fervor.
-Your idea could work, she breathed against his mouth.
-I don't want you girls to go, he whispered, caressing her back.
-We don't want to leave either, Betty shivered pleasantly . Being here with you, like this... it feels right somehow.
-Come up with a reason Alice will believe, Zed told her. When she's done with her shower, we'll make our way to your place and get some things, including her meds.
Betty stroked his jawline thoughtfully.
-I'll tell Alice that I left some important papers related to my job search at our apartment, and I need to swing by to grab them. Knowing Alice, she'll grumble about it, but she won't outright refuse.
Zed kissed her again.
-And how long do you plan on staying here anyway? he asked.
Betty gazed up at him adoringly.
-Hmm, well, I hadn't really put a timeline on it, to be honest. This arrangement feels rather... serendipitous, don't you think? Like fate brought us here for a reason.
-And how do you think Alice feels about it?
Betty smiled, tilting her head.
-Alice is a bit more guarded than I am when it comes to opening up. But even she seems to be warming up to the idea of staying longer.
-You girls have been here almost 48 hours, Zed pointed out. What do you think Alice will say when she comes out of the bathroom?
Betty laughed softly, shaking her head at the thought.
-Oh, I imagine Alice will have plenty to say! Probably something along the lines of 'What, are we moving in now?' or 'I thought we were just crashing here temporarily' .
She flashed a mischievous grin.
-But I bet she won't object too strongly once she dries off and remembers how much she enjoyed relaxing in this big, comfy bed.