“Hey!” I holler at Ainsley as the two of them laugh.
“I’m only teasin’.” She smiles, taking one of her flowers from her hair and placing it behind my ear. “But I did notice you were a little, uh, icy earlier this morning when talking to some of the customers.”
“Bitchy, the word is bitchy,” Rory interrupts with a smirk.
I stick my tongue out at her. “Brat.”
She shrugs.
“Alright, well,” Ainsley continues, shaking her head with a smile at the two of us. “Just thought I’d see how you’re gettin’ on.”
They both look at me, expectantly and with concern laced into every line of their faces. Ainsley’s usual soft features are pinched inward, and Rory tilts her head to the side, her eyes filled with worry. She’s endearingly readable, with a face that seems never to have learned to lie.
My first reaction is to tell them I’m fine and put on a smile like I have all my life. Even with women whom I considered my friends, I never truly let them see the real me. I certainly never let them think that I wasn’t in control, happy, and perfectly poised at all times. The idea makes my throat tighten, and my lungs constrict. In the circles I ran in, the “friends” I surrounded myself with, it makes me realize now, they were more like sharks. They were out for blood and always hungry. They didn’t ask if I was okay because they cared. They asked with the hopes that they could somehow use it against me later.
Now, that’s not the case at all, and I’m not sure how to feel about it.
“Your silence speaks volumes,” Rory chuckles, knocking her elbow into Ainsley. “Has no one ever asked if she’s okay before? Seriously,” she says, nodding back to me. “The confusion on your face is so loud right now.”
I let out a quiet huff through my nose, and my chin drops.
“Ainsley, are we sure we need the extra help around here?” I ask playfully, raising a brow at Rory, causing her to gasp and throw her hand over her heart like she’s been physically impaled.
“According to Rory, she doesn’t work here.”
“That’s not what I said,” Rory quickly retorts.
“Not tellin’ your new brother that you want to stick around and are already workin’ here is kinda the same thing.” Ainsley purses her lips together, and we both look to Rory, who has now found herself in the hot seat instead of me.
Thank God.
Rory deflates a little and plays with the hair ties on her wrist. “I’ll tell him. I mean, at least I’ll run it by him. I don’t want to assume he wants me to stick around, but if I tell him I’ve already accepted a job here, then he’ll just agree to let me stay out of obligation.”
Rory’s guard is down, and on her face it’s clear as day. She’s afraid her half-brother Blake will reject her. From what I’ve learned about her, it seems like she’s most afraid of being alone. For once, that’s something I can relate to.
“If he can’t see how amazing you are, then that’s his loss, and he’s an idiot. I’ll stick a blow-up bed in my living room if I have to,” I say, and both girls slowly smile at me.
“What?” My gaze ping pongs between them.
Rory’s eyes are glistening as she throws her tiny body at me with an “oomf” and wraps her arms around my waist. “I told you we’re best friends now.”
Ainsley chuckles.
“We just can’t have you quittin’ on us,” I say, mimicking Ainsley’s southern accent with a smirk her way as I rest my head on top of Rory’s and pat her back.
“She’s right,” Ainsley agrees. “And she’s also a master deflector if I’ve ever seen one.”
Damn, I thought I could avoid answering.
“Listen, I appreciate you both for noticing. I’ll be alright, I promise. Just some family drama.”
“And how did the dog sitting go?” Rory drawls suspiciously.
“Good, why?” I ask apprehensively.
“Oh, no reason, except that your favorite person just walked through the door,” Rory giggles and bounces away.
I turn around to see for myself and instantly lock eyes with Levi. A mix of emotions fills me. I’m still mad at him for what he said, no way am I forgetting that, but hanging out with Ellie last night was really nice. I let her sleep in my bed, and I have to say, she is a fantastic cuddler. I’ve never felt unsafe in my duplex, but having Ellie with medidgive me a sense of not being so alone, so that was comforting. I felt bad leaving her this morning, but I made sure she’d have everything she’d need along with some extra belly rubs.
