We shared a grin.
I said, “Swear word.”
“Unheard.”
“Preferred.”
“Referred.”
My grin darkened. “Absurd.”
She barked out another laugh. “Just like this poem has become.”
“This was a poem?”
We were down to my suitcase. She knelt and unzipped it, grabbing the first of my books. “One of the worst I’ve ever heard.”
“And that feels appropriate for what life might’ve been as Mrs. Grundle the fifth.”
We were still laughing when my room was back in order.
After placing my suitcase in the closet, Palma came over and sat on the end of my bed. We both fell silent. The air in the room shifted, the lighthearted moment was done.
I shifted to sit on the other end and looked at my lap. “He comes here sometimes. You should know that.”
“Comes here?”
I lifted my head. “He sleeps with me.”
Her eyes widened, jerking down to the bed we were both sitting on.
“Not—” I touched the cover. “Not like sex or anything. Not like that. Just—just sleeping.”
“Oh.” She relaxed but continued frowning at the bed. “Do you love him?”
I made a choking sound, hearing words that plagued me. I shook my head. “I ... He’s family.” Because it was that simple, right?
I didn’t tell her how I ordered him to stay away from me, then wrapped my legs around him the next time I saw him.
“But you ...” She looked away before turning back. A new determination was over her face. “You don’t love him like you love Levi.”
I stared at her.
She added, “Levi’s like family to you too. Right? Like a brother.”
I couldn’t respond, fearful where she was going next.
“It’s not the same with him. Creighton doesn’t look at you like that.”
“He can’t love.”
She frowned.
“He doesn’t have the capability to love, but yes, he’s obsessed with me.”
“And you’re ...” She hesitated before reaching forward to take my hand in hers. “He’s obsessed with you while you’re ...”
She trailed off when I began shaking my head. Fervently.
