I was completely zoned out when I parked next to a large truck in my garage, abandoned my shoes next to a pair of men's sandals at the door that led into my house, and peeled off my wrecked clothes. They landed with a wetplop, and I shuffled inside.
The dirt I wore like a second skin covered me enough that I could've been walking around naked and no one would've seen any of my important bits.
"What the fuck happened to you?" Niall growled, a dish towel over his shoulder again as he strode down the hallway angrily.
I blinked at him.
Then blinked again.
"You're not here," I mumbled.
Had I passed out in the orchard?
Was I asleep?
Suddenly, I remembered the truck I'd parked next to in the garage.
Niall's truck.
And the shoes I'd seen near the door.
Niall's shoes.
"I texted and called. You didn't answer." He cupped my cheek as he tilted my head back to look at me, and my eyes closed automatically at the warmth of his hand on my face."You're freezing cold and covered in dirt. What happened?"
God, he felt good.
If this was a dream, I hoped it didn't end.
"Livvy?"
I realized he must've asked me a question. "Hmm?"
"Where were you?"
"The orchard. Grew a lot of trees. Need a shower."
His thumb met my temple, and I groaned when he massaged it lightly.
"My head hurts. That happens when I grow plants."
"I know."
Of course he knew. He knew everything about me.
"I miss them," I said, my eyes suddenly stinging again.
I'd thought about them over and over in that orchard.
The family I'd loved, and lost.
Not the fae royals, but the ones who had raised me.
"I know. Growing plants does that to you too." Niall pulled me to his chest.
"This isn't real," I said against his pec. "You're not really here."
"I am."
