The words fling through the space, poisonous, deadly daggers.
The final answer to my question.
My cue to leave.
Not yet. Just a little longer, then I’ll go.
As I deal with the agony of my fracturing heart, I don’t hear the rest of their conversation. With my chin tucked to my chest, I don’t even see them leave.
Suddenly, there’s a set of golden eyes glaring into mine.
“Traitor!” Esme jabs me in the chest with a finger, and I wish she’d keep going, digging past my rib cage and tearing out the ravaged organ.
Then, her accusation registers, and I feel my brow furrowing.
“You went to Bed, Bath, and Bargains without me,” she clarifies, eyes dropping to the bag in my hands. “How did you even get there? Bought yourself a car?”
“Xavier took me.” I force the words out, trying to be whatever version of normal I can manage. “Errands.”
“ButI’myour B, B, and B buddy.”
That first time we went, she tricked me. I bought my pillows, and she bought everything else in the cart. Then, she carried all the items up to my apartment. Took me that long to realize she’d been shopping for me.
I tried to pay her back, but she ran away before I could get my cash out.
Need to be smarter to get one over on Esme Sharpwing.
We’ve gone to the store together twice since then, and she keeps pulling the same shit, claiming she enjoys shopping for someone else, but she keeps dodging my cash.
To pacify her, I extend the bag. “Got you this.”
They were just setting up their fall display when I arrived at the store, so I’m pretty sure she doesn’t already own it.
Esme’s attempt at a scowl drops away with an excited gasp. She plunges her hand into the bag and comes out with a set of pumpkin-patterned hand towels.
In an unusual shift of personality, Esme doesn’t say anything. She just stares at the silly item, and then her eyes slowly move to my face.
“Terry cloth,” I say by way of explanation.
Something changes in her stare, almost as if she’s in pain, and I panic at the sight. I don’t know what I did wrong, but I have to fix it.
“Sorry.” I reach to take the towels back.
Esme steps away, moving faster than me. “Mine. They’re mine.” She clutches the gift against her chest, the way I wish she’d hold me.
But she never will.
Too late.
My hand falls to my side.
The harpy shakes her head, eyes on the floor, and when she looks my way again, her normal smile is in place. “I love them. These are so cute and soft.” She rubs the towels against her face, and I’m jealous of the material. “They’re perfect. You get an A-plus for gift giving.”
Strolling behind the counter, she tucks them away and comes up with one of her sketchbooks. “How’s your day going? I was working on some designs before the MacNamaras stopped by. Want to see?”
I nod, joining her at the counter. As she flips through the pages and talks about her sketched ideas, I push away the knowledge that I need to leave and try to enjoy this simple moment of just being with her. The scent of hot flowers fills my lungs, Esme’s sweet voice caresses my ears, and I’m the happiest I’ve been since I was eighteen years old.
“The sirens in particular love this style because the racerback shows off their wing marks. And allows them to fly at a moment’s notice.”
