Dropping down back to the field, I wave at her.
“Invite him to dinner,” I say while walking backward.
“He’s already invited us!” She smiles widely. “Is that a yes we can go?”
I wink at her. “Anything for you, Mom.”
10
I’ve never been this nervous for a single day.
It’s Wednesday, and Keo is due to come home. He hasn’t texted me since that night, even though I’ve sent a few here and there—asking about his food preferences, whether the cat eats wet food, or if she’d just eaten dry.
Thankfully, Clover is pretty self-sufficient and content with the dry food. She keeps to herself and only comes to me at night, or oddly if I’m feeling sad. Her presence has made sleeping easier. I’m not entirely alone, even if the hollow space beside me is filled by a feline instead of…
Nope. I can’t go there.
I just want him to talk with me, to listen and understand without judgment. I’m already embarrassed about why I couldn’t come here. Even Alysa, who I’d given just a partial truth to, hated that I wasn’t fully transparent. Telling Keo is going to be so much harder, and I don’t want to give anything less than the full truth when I finally do. Regardless of how he reacts, I want him to understand why.
The soundof a car door slamming jerks me upright on the couch. I hadn’t even noticed Clover resting on my chest—I was that zoned out. She doesn’t hiss or bolt like I expect; she just looks up at me before getting up and padding toward the kitchen.
He has a key, so I’m surprised when a knock comes at the door.
I stand quickly and make my way over, leaving the screen closed to keep whoever it is and me separated, at least in some small way.
I’m taken aback to see a woman standing just on the other side. She’s a striking blonde, surprise etched across her face.
“Oh…” She takes a step back and looks to the left of the cabin, then to the right. “Uh.”
“Hi. Can I help you?” I ask as I open the screen door.
She tucks her short blonde hair behind her ear and smiles. “Hello. Is Keoni here?”
Not my hopeless heart wanting her to be here for our parents, not him.
“No.”
She wraps one arm around her waist, resting her elbow on it, and taps her chin with her index finger. “I know I’m a little early… I didn’t even think to check the other side for his truck.”
My throat goes dry, and swallowing feels impossible. “I can let him know you came by if you’d like… What’s your name?”
Play it cool, Ayden.
“Oh, no, that’s fine. I’ll wait for him in the car. But my name is Brittany.” Her hand extends out toward me. “And you are?”
“Ayden.” I take it and give it a gentle squeeze. Her well-manicured nails painted opal match her entire aesthetic; very clean and pristine.
“Ayden… Pierce?” She squeezes my hand a little tighter. When I nod, her green eyes gloss over slightly. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I attended church with your parents.”
I force a smile. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t know you were in town.” When she puts her hands in front of her, I see she’s got a small notepad now clutched for dear life in one of them. “Are you here permanent?—”
“Yeah. I moved in.”
Her smile is relaxed, and I swear there’s relief in her tone as shesays, “That’s amazing. I was telling Keoni that being alone at a time like this isn’t ideal.” She lets out a soft laugh. “I can’t spend every day he’s off work with him.”
I’m surprised at how sick that statement makes me.
