She needed to get it out. There would be no judgement from me on that.
“Did you make this?” I asked as I lifted one end of the shawl I had around me.
Dace sobered, drawing her legs up and wrapping her arms around her knees to rock a little in place. “I did. Sorry- uh, Sorak taught me.”
“I take it that’s the Sorry horny head Berkr mentioned and Rek said you were on the outs with,” I murmured. It was open ended. She could answer or not.
“He is,” she replied softly.
“Berkr said you asked him to be your mate. I’m sorry things didn’t work out,” I offered.
“It’s probably for the best,” she mumbled as she rested her chin on her knees.
Feeling similar sentiments I’ve expressed in crappy situations echoed in Dace’s, I grimaced sympathetically.
Nudging her gently, I murmured, “Wanna talk about it or just sit here for a bit? ‘Til our asses freeze off.”
“Do you want to talk about your situation?” she asked.
“It’s complicated,” I admitted.
“Same,” she muttered.
“Frozen butts it is,” I proclaimed.
Dace laughed, a small, quiet laugh, and her lips tipped up a little. “Thanks,” she said into the quiet we fell into.
“What did I do?” Turning my head, I glanced her way curiously.
“For being my friend anyway, despite everything.”
“Despite the fact your pen missed your pervy ex boss’s peen,” I corrected, making Dace laugh. This time her laugh was loud, unfiltered. It made me smile.
“I can show you how to make these,” she offered, flapping an end of her shawl.
I had a feeling at some point the information would be pertinent, considering Kehl had basically left me to fend for myself, unless one counted sending others to do things in his name or dumping mystery packages at the door at random as helpful.
“I’d like that. Is it hard?” Lifting the end of the shawl I was using, I studied it. “I’m admittedly shit at a lot.”
Dace’s hand lifted and she pointed at herself. “If I can learn to do it, you can learn to do it.”
“Are we having an Anastasia moment?” I joked, then sang a little, repeating her.
“Hey! I got that one!” Dace squeaked out excitedly.
Finishing off my drink as we chatted about everything and nothing all at once, we had to call it when our butts did indeed start to feel iced through.
Standing, dusting myself off, I thought about my dad’s favorite phrase. Where did I want to cast my net?
“Do you think you could show me where the unmated females’ huts are?”
Dace glanced up from where she sat, putting her thermos like-container away inside her pack.
Thinking she’ll want her shawl back, I started to take it off but she noticed and told me, “That one’s yours. It goes with your hoodie.”
Itwouldgo with my hoodie. “Are you sure?” Holding my hand out for her to take it, I helped her to her feet.
“I’m sure,” she squeaked.
