“I can tell it’s well cared for,” Aarev added, smiling at me again. “How have you been doing, Elior? You look good.”
I felt myself smile back, shy but pleased. “I’m… good.”
“That’s great to hear,” he said easily, like it really matteredto him.
I nodded, clutching my hands together, hoping Daddy would be home soon, but also feeling a little proud that I was handling this on my own.
I tried to remember what you were supposed to do when you had a guest. Father always offered his homemade lemonade. I didn’t have that, but I did have other stuff I could serve him.
“Would you like a drink? I have some cupcakes too, if you want.”
Aarev laughed softly. “You’re very hospitable. Some water would be great, thank you.”
I padded into the kitchen, poured a glass, and brought it back with both hands. He took it from me with an easy smile, settling onto the couch while I hovered next to it.
“This really is a nice place,” he said again, glancing around.
“It is,” I agreed quickly. “I like it a lot.”
“I’m glad.” He took a sip of water, then set the glass down. “So… how’s therapy been going?”
The question made my shoulders loosen instead of tense, which surprised me.
“It’s good,” I said. “I like Mark.”
“You do?” His brows lifted with genuine interest.
“Yeah,” I nodded. “He’s… patient. He doesn’t rush me. And he lets me hold things if my hands feel weird.” I paused for a split second, then added, “I was worried that I’d never feel comfortable sharing stuff with him, but he’s been great.”
Aarev smiled. “That sounds like a really good fit for you.”
“It is,” I said, a little more confidently.
“Do you feel like it’s helping?”
I thought about it—the way my chest didn’t feel so tight all the time anymore and how eating didn’t scare me like it usedto. “Yeah. I think so. Jace says I’m doing really well.”
“I can see that,” Aarev replied. His gaze softened. “You seem brighter.”
My cheeks warmed. “Thank you.”
There was a small pause, comfortable at first, until he asked, “Do you get out much? Besides appointments.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Jace takes me to stores. And there’s this bakery right by Mark’s office that we go to after every visit.”
Aarev’s smile stayed in place, but something subtle shifted behind his eyes. “Just the two of you?”
“Well, yeah,” I nodded. “Who else would I go with?”
“Hm,” Aarev hummed. “Do you ever go out on your own?”
I shook my head immediately. “No. I shouldn’t.”
“Why’s that?”
I frowned, searching for the right words. “It’s just… safer if I don’t.”
He leaned back slightly, studying me—not unkindly, but intently. “You know, most people would say it’s healthy to spend time outside the house. Especially when you’re doing better.”
