“Thank you,” my mother says.
“Uh-huh.” Lily’s tongue darts out to lick her lips and I track the movement. “Uh, can I get the drinks?”
I blink away the image seared in my mind, and nod. “Sure. Top cabinet to the right of the sink.”
Effortlessly, she weaves her way over, having to push up on her tiptoes to reach the glasses on the middle shelf, and I quietly surrender to my baser instincts. I trace the black leggings from her ankles as her stretch elongates her petite figure. Following the flex of her calves, moving upward to her toned thighs, the fabric clings to her shape in all the right places. Captivated, I linger where her crewneck hem rides up, exposing the tight slope of her backside, and taking in each dip and line?—
Lily drops down, feet planted solidly on the linoleum flooring. Time propels forward, back to normal, as her sweater also drops, cutting me off. I mentally chide myself. Whatisit about this girl? So simple, yet so intriguing.
I spin around before Lily turns to catch where I’ve been entranced by her, but I’m met with my mother’s smug grin and raised eyebrows instead.
We eat mostly in silence, with the occasional complaint from my mother about how she couldn’t possibly eat another bite, except she’s only had two small spoonfuls of soup before claiming as much. Lily watches her, an inkling of concern etched into her expression as my mother struggles to eat.
When we’re finished, Lily volunteers to wash up the few plates and cups while I escort my mom into the living room, pills for the evening in tow. When she sits back in her chair, I dump the handful of medicine in her hand and supervise her long enough to make sure she takes them all.
“Hand me that blanket, will you?”
I move to grab the knitted quilt draped over the loveseat, stitched together in a patchwork of colors and patterns by my great grandmother. The mismatched fabric is still soft, though aged and curled at the edges. Tucking it over her lap, I smile and then turn to go help Lily. We really should be on our way. Max is probably itching to go outside, but before I can leave, my mom’s cold hand reaches out for mine, doing her best to tug me in close to her.
“She can stay here.” When I tilt my head in confusion, she barrels on. “Lily should stay here. I have your old bedroom, and the guest bathroom across from it. The cleaning lady keeps up with those rooms, so they’re made and ready to use.”
“She’ll never go for this …” Though, as I say that an idea comes to me.
“Just tell her it’s until the weather is nicer, if that will make her less worried about it. But I have the space, and I’d feel a whole lot better knowing she has her own room, a place to stay.”
I make a show of considering it, and nod before heading to the kitchen where Lily is drying the last of the glasses and struggling once more to put them away. This time, I jump in to help her, reaching up from behind to take the cup. My hand grazes hers, and there’s a mild spark that hums through my fingertips. I’m caught between instinct to rip my hand away and the undeniable pull to reach out further. Her skin is soft, and my pulse quickens as I force myself to put the tumbler on the shelf.
For the first time, there’s a tension thick in the air between us as she spins, back pressed to the counter to look up at me. The bright essence of her gaze, those eyes that glow like some sort of magical power renders me momentarily speechless until she looks away and pushes past me.
“Are we going soon?”
“Actually, there’s something I’d like to run by you.” I glance toward the living room, then move to the front door, open it, and motion outside.
Lily crosses her arms and shakes her head but strolls through the door anyway. It’s chilly on the porch, as we both stand there in our socks under the subdued yellow light, her glaring at me, and me … enjoying it.
“What?” she asks. “It’s freezing out here.”
“See. And you wanted to stay in your car.” The corner of my mouth twitches into a full-blown smile when she glowers even deeper, wrapping her arms tighter around herself.
“My mom asked if you’d want to stay here for a while. You can stay in my old bedroom, and there’s the guest bathroom you’d have completely to yourself?—”
“No.” Color instantly floods her cheeks.
“Wait. No, listen, please. I think this would be good for her. What you said about companionship rather than a nurse, whose presence must be an omen for impending death—you’re right. My mother needs someone to help her. She’s forgetting to take her medicine, barely eating enough, and she won’t let me move back in, no matter how many times I plead with her. Having someone here would be ideal, and she likes you. Said so herself. There aren’t too many people my mom likes.”
While I’m explaining, Lily chews the corner of her mouth, furiously shaking her head back and forth. “You don’t even know me. I’m a stranger. I could make off with your mother’s belongings or something.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Will you?”
“What? No. I’m just saying. I could be anyone. Trust me, I’m not someone you want around. I’ve got my own problems.”
“But that’s what makes this work.” I reach out to swipe a thumb across her balled-up fist, but she jerks away. “My momsees you as needing a place to stay. She thinks she’s helpingyouout, but I also need help.Sheneeds help.”
Realizing I may be coming across a little too desperate, I back away, giving her space.
“Uh, I, uh. Noah …”
I ignore the way my name sounds coming out in a sigh from her mouth. “I’ll take you to my cabin, you can sleep on the bunk for as long as you need, then go back to your car when it’s out of the shop if you want. I’m not trying to pressure you. I won’t pressure you.”
