Millie shakes her head. “I don’t understand. Does that mean it hasn’t come true yet? Are you going to die?” Panic starts to overtake her. I pull her into my chest and lean down to plant a soft kiss on her head.
“She’s not going to die, baby. It’s a long story but essentially her grandmother took her place.”
“Oh,”she instantly answers with relief. Then she says,“Oh no,”as she watches Lily’s face. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
A single tear tracks down Lily’s face before she quickly wipes it. Luka pulls her into his side, much like I’ve done Millie.
“Thank you, it’s been tough, but I know Grandma May wouldn’t change a thing and that kind of brings me comfort, you know? Like she was at peace with her decision.”
“I can’t imagine. I just— wow. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I know it’s a lot and that’s just the short summary of what is my screwed-up life.”
“Angel,” Luka gently chastises.
“I know, I know. I have so much to be thankful for.” She looks over at Luka and the way her eyes soften I can tell she means him. “But not everyone has to deal with a family omen that has cursed the women in the family generation after generation.I am cursed.”
Luka starts to argue but Lily reaches up and softly lays her hand across his lips to silence him. “It’s okay, I’ve made peace with it but you have to call a spade a spade, babe.”
She doesn’t let him respond before she’s turning back to Millie and asking, “Enough about me. Tell me about your dreams.”
Just then the waitress comes up to take our order. None of us have even looked at the menu but me, Lily and Luka have been here enough to know what we like. While the two across from us are ordering I look over to Millie.
“You know what you want?” I open up the menu in front of us and slide it towards her.
“I don’t know if I’m hungry.”
My eyebrows pull together in concern. I know her nerves are probably going crazy right now and maybe that’s affecting her stomach but I still push for her to eat. “They make a mean lasagna here. The chicken parm is pretty good too,” I say in encouragement.
She doesn’t even look at the menu before looking up at the waitress. The girl must have turned to our side of the table when I wasn’t looking.
“I’ll have whatever he’s having.” Millie looks at me before sliding the menu over to in front of me.
“You sure?” I ask, suddenly nervous I’ll choose something she doesn’t like.
“Yep. I trust you.” She smiles and it’s the first time tonight that it actually reaches her eyes.
“A lasagna and chicken parm.” The waitress jots it down and starts to reach for the menu and I start to have doubts I’ve ordered the right thing. “Can we get an alfredo and side garden salad as well?” There, bases covered.
She smiles before taking the menu and says, “Sure thing,” and heads back towards the kitchen.
“Damn dude, you planning on feeding an army over there?” Luka asks.
My eyes narrow self-consciously. “Shut it. I’m hungry,” I try to play it off.
“I hope you didn’t order all that for me.” Millie laughs and when I don’t immediately respond she says, “You didn’t, did you? I really meant I’ll eat whatever you’re eating.”
I squirm in my seat, uncomfortable with the amount of self-consciousness I’m feeling right now. “I wanted to make sure you have something you like.”
“Rowan,” she quietly sighs. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to and I really am starving so no harm, no foul.” I squeeze her hand once more. She hasn’t tried to pull away this entire time and that has a silly thing called hope budding in my chest. Maybe she can see us as more than friends.
Lily clears her throat, looking between the two of us before settling her gaze back on Millie. “Your dreams?” she prompts.
“Oh—” Millie shakes her head, “It’s nothing like what you’re describing, at least I don’t think so. I get the distinct feeling that the dreams are in the past, not future.”
“What are they about?” Lily leans forward, her forearms on the table, her face a mask of concentration.
