I glance over my shoulder at her. “Take a seat on the brown bear rug.” I gesture towards it.
“Is it clean? You know, free of bodily fluids?” she asks cautiously.
I laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, just had it cleaned yesterday, actually.”
“Good.” She sits on the rug with her legs crossed, wearing red flannel pajama pants and a gray sweatshirt.
Did my sister buy a sweatshirt for Meridea to sleep in?
“You wear sweatshirts to bed?” I ask, intrigued.
She smiles and holds up her open palms towards the fire. “I do. It’s a habit I started in college. They make me feel comfortable.”
The tea kettle whistles from the kitchen, breaking our conversation.
“You’re making tea?” she asks.
“Yeah.”
“I can handle it,” she offers, rising to her feet.
“The mugs are in the cabinet above the coffeemaker,” I say, watching Meridea dart into the kitchen.
It’s better for her to make the tea. That way, she won’t think I’m trying to drug her.
I sit on the rug, admiring the orange and blue flames.
She returns a few moments later, holding two mugs. She hands me one, settling back onto the rug with the other.
“I made us chamomile tea,” she says with a smile. “Tell me if I added too much, honey.”
“Where’s the milk?” I ask, teasing.
Her eyes widen. “I can grab—”
“Just kidding,” I chuckle. “Honey works fine,” I reassure her before I take a sip, letting the warmth coat my throat.
Meridea follows suit and takes a sip after me. Maybe she just wants to make sure I didn’t slip anything into the water.
“It’s good,” she comments with a bright smile.
“Excuse my hair,” she says, running a hand over her hair that she’s placed in another low ponytail. Her hair was sleeker earlier. Now it appears thicker. I like it.
“It’s a hot mess after my steam bath and shower. I don’t have my trusty flat irons.”
My chest tightens, and I hear myself saying, “My sister left a pair in the bathroom drawer.”
Her face lights up. “That was so thoughtful of her. Tell her I said thanks.”
“I will. Hopefully, she brought enough clothes for you, too.”
Meridea laughs. “She brought too many. I’m only staying in town for a month. Then I’ll be on my way. By the way, who should I talk to about getting a job at the restaurant?”
I lean back, watching her. “You’re staying here,” I say firmly.
“Well, technically only for one night,” Meridea corrects with a smile.
“No, you’ll stay here while you’re in town. It’s easier for me to ensure your safety.”
