“I see you,” she went on.
Braving it, I poked my head around the corner again, my body following. I stood there, allowing a brief grin to shape my lips as I gave a little wave with the sleeve I’d been chewing on.
A crackled,“Hey,”escaped my lips.
Bee smiled, beautiful dewy cheeks reaching skyward and perfect teeth glittering. She was makeup-free as far as I could tell, and still gorgeous.
“You’re awake.” She moved, sliding from her stool and setting down the magazine she’d been looking at in front of her. “Not to scare you, but I’ve been sitting here all morning waiting to see if you’d emerge.” She giggled. “I’m, like,soexcited you’re here.”
I stood my ground, toes locked together.
“Let’s get you some coffee.” She opened the upper cabinet, retrieving a mug.
I noted its location, so I’d know where to hunt for one next time. Below the cabinet, she pulled a glass carafe from a very interesting-looking coffee machine made up of several clear beakers and fancy metallic pieces. She poured the black liquid into the mug.
“Do you want milk? Honey?”
I nodded.
Both sounded good. I’d never tried honey in coffee before, but my achy throat longed for it. While it felt a lot better, a smoky taste still lingered. I was hoping it’d go away soon—the taste of it already made me feel like brushing my teeth again.
I cleared my throat, not wanting to sound like a dying horse when I spoke. “Thank you.” I was glad when I didn’t.
“No problem! None of us can live without coffee in this house. Just wait until you meet my dad—he always has a cup in hand.”
I jumped at the sound of a door slamming at the end of the hall, followed by the familiar sound of Bill’s thumping footsteps on the floor. Bill’s conversational chatter was audible, alongside a deeper one I recognized as Nash.
On reflex, I drew the sleeve of my sweatshirt back between my teeth. I’d have this sleeve worked through in no time at this pace.
With Nash at the end of the hall, and Bee here, my brain tossed red flags in the air and screamed—you’re trapped!I tried not to let that idea take root.
Please don’t panic. Not now.
Despite my efforts, I felt the hot scrape of fear claw its way up my back. I tucked my free arm around my center. Bloodwhooshed to my head, causing Bill’s approach to sound dull and echoed. He reached me, whining with understanding.
Butting my elbow with his nose until I conceded, my arm fell from around my middle and I gave him my hand. The second he licked it, I felt grounded. To my utter relief, the panic receded before digging in too deep. A cool tingle replaced the suffocating heat of the bell jar that was descending over me.
Trying to appear normal, I took the proffered mug now held out in Bee’s grasp. My hand shook, but I hoped she didn’t notice. My sleeved fingers wrapped around the warm porcelain, stilling its rattle, and I brought it to my nose. I inhaled the scent, soothed by the humidity the steam gave off. The more my senses flooded with sensations, the more my monkey brain became distracted—like giving a toddler a new toy to play with.
Nash’s heavy footfalls echoed from the direction Bill had appeared. I wasn’t sure how to handle myself, so I remained planted in place, smelling the bean juice and trying to act unbothered.
I felt the moment he entered the room, his wall of heat pressing against my back. A brush of what I thought might be his fingers, crossed over my shoulder blades.
His presence leaned closer. “Good morning.”
Voice in my ear and breath near enough to move a few strands of my hair, he stepped around me. I found myself surprised I didn’t shy away.
Bee rolled her eyes, showing her disapproval of his bold action, then she scoffed at him. “Don’t tease her, Nash.”
His broad shoulders filled the kitchen, and he sauntered tothe sink, grinning. He had on a pair of jeans, secured with a leather belt. The crisp shirt, a shade of weathered mid-gray, tucked into his jeans, the fabric fitting against every muscle and shifting with his movements. Bare feet padded on the cool floor. His hair looked tossed, as though he’d rolled out of bed without a care. He looked delicious and comfortable, like a cozy chair I could crawl into, wrapping his arms around me like a blanket.
I swallowed thickly before cleansing my throat with a sip of coffee. The taste of sweet honey coated my tongue, body reacting to the caffeine with immediate effect. I didn’t take my eyes off him as he rinsed his cup a few times before reaching around Bee and pouring another cup of coffee. He kept his black.
Bee let out a humming sigh. “What should we do today?”
I didn’t respond, unsure of how to begin. ‘We’ had never been a thing. I was prepared to default to my new solo routine of Hallmark, books, and trying to ignore the smoking shitstorm that was my home across the street.
Avoidance was going to be the best approach.
