So is he. My breath stops. I can’t force it back. Only some days have passed. Yet memories from the ship have felt distant for a while now. I suppose I’ve pushed them and Idris far away in my mind.
But now Idris is here, and my heart beats harder. So hard that I could count my pulse rate without needing to feel it under my fingers.
Stan squeezes my hand, and Lix slides his arm around my waist.
The three of us must paint an interesting picture, where merely a week has taken place, yet we’re a clear display of how things have changed in such a short amount of time.
Still, Idris smiles at me, warm and wide, walking over while holding out the flowers toward me. Lix takes them, looking between us before giving Idris and I space.
Stan pulls me closer to his side as he smirks at Idris. “How was the trip, Prince Charming?”
Idris chuckles, meeting Stan’s eyes. He’s about to speak when a high-pitched shriek comes from behind us.
“Dae!” Kaye shouts.
Her sprint brings her closer to us, launching herself at Damon. He catches her, the bouquet in his hands tipping to the side, as she wraps her arms around his neck. He laughs deeply, kisses her deeper, and adjusts her in his arms.
The sight sends a rush of heat through the room, or perhaps, merely me. As though no one else exists, Damon carries Kaye down the hall without breaking their noisy kisses. Thankfully, they turn toward their bedroom for privacy as her laughter trails behind them.
Sterling, approaching with slow steps, could rival Darius’ frown when his silver eyes dash from where the couple went, to where the Adels stand. He crosses his arms and lifts his chin in a nod. “Welcome,” he says. “My wife wanted me to tell you to make yourself at home here.”
With that, he disappears silently, sinking back into a barely lit hallway, most likely toward the nursery, which Elle has been working on with the renovators.
Idris clears his throat, still smiling. “The plane ride was smooth. Thanks for asking, Stan.” He turns his smile to Lix. “And thank you both for watching over Em. I see you’ve taken great care of her.”
Lix scoffs, the sound brief. He leans in and places a kiss on my cheek. “Anytime,” he says to Idris.
More heat gathers low in my body, my pulse skipping. I’m aware of Idris watching us. His expression remains composed despite the tension that’s amidst us.
“That’s good to hear,” he says, his smile unwavering while his light blue eyes survey over us.
Darius grunts, getting our attention. “I’ll need a private space,” he says, his frown deepening as his eyes point toward the hallway Damon disappeared into. Muffled sounds can be heard from their end. “Somewherequiet.”
Stan turns, grin snapping into place. “Say no more, Dar Bear. Right this way.” As they walk, he adds, “And just so we’re clear, I accept flowers too.”
Darius glares at him, his tone flat and unimpressed. “I didn’t bring you anything.”
“Wow,” Stan says. “And here I thought we were becoming friends.”
“Don’t call me that,” Darius snaps, getting a chuckle out of Stan.
Lix snorts as he turns to follow Stan. He takes the flowers with him while his free hand reaches to brush his earring. He spares us a glance and a pursed smile before leaving Idris and I alone in the grand lobby.
“You look well, Em,” Idris says in the next instant.
I part my lips to speak, then decide to stop, when I feel my pulse thud in my throat.
The question about the pills—about them being possibly placebo—surges forward, crowding out every other thought.
“Idris…” I say, my voice giving me away before I can keep it controlled.
He studies my face as he prompts me. “Yes, Em?”
When his eyes meet mine, the space around us falls away out of relevance. I’m only aware ofhim. Of the way his attention holds, warm and patient. It’s as if I’ve been given permission to take as long as I need.
I’ve seen that look on him for so long, yet I’ve only come to recognize the meaning behind it. I see the same when Stan and Lix stare into my eyes as though they aim to pierce right into my soul.
They must know that such a thing is an impossible feat. There isn’t a soul in my physical vessel.
