Halle must have thought I was a weirdo.Most people would be psyched to hear their song on the radio and here I was sweating like a criminal on trial for murder.
I still remembered the first time I heard my song on the radio.I was buying some candy from a local store and suddenly it started blaring through the speakers.
I’d run up to the old guy stacking shelves and given him a hug, screaming, ‘That’s my song!’ Then I’d ran over to his wife and hugged her before jumping up and down like a lunatic.
Yep.Thatwas a great feeling.Butthis? This felt like someone had taken a machete to my heart, put it in a blender then fed it to a pack of lions.
Just when I thought I was about to embarrass myself by passing out in front of a bus full of strangers, I felt something soft and warm rest on my hand.
When I looked down, Halle’s palm was on top of mine.
‘Breathe,’ she whispered.‘It’s okay.’
My head flicked up and when I met Halle’s gaze I saw kindness.
Did she know?
There was no way that she could.
But even if she didn’t know or understand, she still was trying to calm me down and that meant a lot.
As she held my gaze, with empathy and sincerity in her eyes, my heart rate started to slow.
Halle squeezed my hand tighter and I squeezed back, hoping that one action conveyed my gratitude.
Seconds later, the song ended and an upbeat Lizzo track blasted through the speakers.
I exhaled deeply, glad that the torture was over.
‘Thank you,’ I whispered, wondering how long I should leave my hand entwined with hers.
I wasn’t in a hurry to remove it.This was the second time that I’d felt the softness of Halle’s palms and I liked it way more than I should.
I wasn’t here for romance, so I didn’t want to lead her on.
Loosening my hold, I slid my hand out from under hers as gently as I could.
Shock flashed over Halle’s face and an expression that looked a lot like hurt replaced it.Shit.She’d done something kind and now she thought I’d rejected her.
‘I…’
‘It’s fine,’ she said quickly, waving her hand around like it was no big deal, but I knew that when a woman told you something wasfinethere was a strong possibility that it wasn’t.
‘You… that really helped.That song is a bit… I just could’ve done without hearing it right now, so, thanks.’
I wanted to explain why I’d pulled my hand away, to tell her it was because I was trying to protect her, but then the bus slowed down.When I looked out of the window and realised where we were, excitement filled my chest.
‘Welcome to The Huntington!’ Sammie said enthusiastically.
‘Yes!’ I said, louder than I should’ve.
‘What’s The Huntington?’ Halle called out.
‘I was just about to explain,’ Sammie replied.
‘Sorry!’ Halle chuckled.
‘It’s a really cool place, that has a massive library, art museum and loads of stunning botanical gardens.Someone will explain it more eloquently once we’re off the coach, but I’m sure you’re gonna love it.’
