This was the woman I'd spent the afternoon with yesterday. The woman who enjoyed a good laugh, even if it was at her own expense.
"I can," I answered, crossing my arms over my chest. "Not too long ago, Ava considered turning him into a pig so his outsides would match his insides."
Merry snickered. "I could see that."
"I don't have to take this abuse," Callum said, getting to his feet. "I'm going for a walk."
From his look, I knew he intended to check the perimeter before Ava and Macgrath arrived.
He moved past me and out of the house with no sound, leaving me alone with Merry.
My palms were damp and my mouth was dry, which made no sense to me. Did my saliva suddenly decide to take a sojourn to my hands and get a different view of the world? It was stupid, wasn't it?
It had been a very,verylong time since I was a teenager, but I remembered this feeling. This restless energy. The nerves.
I realized that Merry was staring at me, waiting for me to speak.
"Ava and Macgrath will be here shortly."
She got to her feet. "I'd better grab a shower. I have time, right?"
"Of course."
I backed out of the room when she walked toward me. She stopped a few feet away, staring up at me with her head cocked to one side.
"Cal was right, wasn't he? You feel more awkward about this than I do."
I tried to keep my expression blank but must have failed because she laughed, just a little.
Then, her expression grew serious. "Wouldyoube more comfortable if I left with Ava and Macgrath?" she asked. "This is your home and you deserve to feel safe and relaxed here."
Once again, she caught me off guard. I was always off-balance around her.
"I'm fine."
She studied me in that way of hers, as if any attempt to shield my thoughts was useless. Merry had no psychic abilities, but somehow she still read my every thought.
"You'll tell me if it's otherwise?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
She walked past me and into her room, shutting the door behind her.
I released a long, slow breath. She was right. It would be easier for me if she wasn't staying here.
But it would hurt to let her leave.
That was a worrying thought because at some point, she would leave me behind.
The only question was—would I ever recover from the pain when she left?
