#Chapter 123: Black & Blue

Ava The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air as I set the tray of mugs on the kitchen table. Ophelia and Leonard shuffled over, looking a bit worse for wear after our late night; meanwhile, Chris lingered off to the side, busying himself with flipping pancakes on the stove—although I knew he was really just trying to hide his embarrassment from nearly being caught. “Thank you for this, Ava,” Ophelia said, sinking into one of the chairs with a heavy sigh. She pushed a stray lock of blonde hair out of her eyes and sipped her coffee, letting out a moan as she did. “Ah, this coffee is so good. Much needed.” “Definitely needed,” Leonard chimed in, cradling his mug in both hands. He glanced at Ophelia, and for a moment I swore I saw a flicker of something pass between them. I knew what it was, of course, and I instantly felt my face flush a deep shade of red. Surely they had put two and two together by now. But it wouldn’t happen again. Chris and I co