“What’s going on?” Lilly asks as she steps out onto the balcony of the stairs, rubbing one of her eyes with her palm, looking fresh from her bed. “I heard whisper-shouting, and whisper-shouting can only mean one thing, that you’re attempting to make sure I don’t figure out what you’re whisper-shouting about.”
“We’re just discussing safety protocols,” I say.
Brimar gives me a look, and then with frustration, he pushes past me, saying, “I’m going to go work out.”
When he’s out of the entryway, Lilly asks, “What kind of safety protocols?”
I walk up the stairs, joining her. “Nothing you need to worry about.” When I reach her, I ask, “Are you ready for our run?”
Her shoulders slump and she leans against the balcony rail. “Why do you need to torture me? Can we skip it today? Do something other than mindless running and stale lectures? Just have a fun day? Please?”
Offer her comfort.
This is what Theo’s talking about. If I continue to push her too hard without meeting her needs, she’s going to shut down and want to return to Miami. The pressure of having to convince her to stay and train her at the same time is overwhelming, but maybe letting up, giving her a break, would be best for both of us. Ultimately, we need Lilly to love this country, not just know its history. We need her to love who we are, where we are, and want to stay because what’s in her blood is calling to her to stay.Not just know the history until her ears bleed, Keller.
“What did you have in mind?” I ask her.
She perks up. “Wait, really?” Her surprised expression is comical. Maybe I should lighten up more if she’s this shocked.
“Depends. What do you want to do?”
“Uh... well, I wasn’t thinking you were going to say yes, so I’m unprepared.” She taps her chin. “Let’s see, well, I definitely want to go to the hot springs.”
“Lilly, I don’t know—”
“Please.” She comes up to me and tugs on my hand. “On the way you can quiz me about etiquette. I know how much you love to hammer knowledge into me.” Smirking, she adds, “If only you were hammering something else into me.”
“Easy,” I say, causing her to laugh.
“And then maybe we can make bread or something.”
“Bread?” My brows draw together.
“Yes, that kitchen just seems like it was made to bake bread. It doesn’t have to be bread, though. It can be a specialty of Torskethorpe. Something people love eating.”
“Vinatarte,” I answer.
“Yes, that. We can make that. And then, after we bake, maybe we can just relax and play a game. Any games your country likes to play?”
“Crazy cods.”
“Crazy cods?” She chuckles. “What’s that?”
“Like crazy eights, but with a special deck of cards.”
“Yes, count me in. That sounds like fun. And the whole time, if you want to teach me things, you can, but let’s make it fun and not a lecture.” She steps up to me and places her hands on my arms. “We need to loosen you up a bit. You’re so tense and cranky with me all the time. Stop being cranky.”
I’m cranky because I want you and don’t think I can have you.
“I’m not cranky, just... alert.”
“Well, after yesterday, this will be good for us. So, we can do it? Hot springs, baking, and then cards?”
“Yes,” I answer.
With an excited cheer, she throws her arms around my torso and squeezes me tight, her head pressed against my chest. “Thank you.”
Not sure what to do, I gently put one arm around her and pat her back.
