I didn’t get enough attention, and she got too much. What a pair.
We continued walking, edging closer to the top now as the path narrowed. Our bodies brushed against one another as I tried to keep my attention on what she was saying.
“My parents are strict, and they have plans for my life. Working at the shop and dating their suitors. Plans I didn’t necessarily agree with, but I can never say no to them.”
“Why?”
She thought it over like she’d never posed the question to herself before.
After some time, she looked back at me. “Because of how hard they worked to get to America, to make us a life here. I’m their only daughter. It’s just selfish to do what I want when they sacrificed so much.”
Och, this girl. “It’s your life.”
Nairie nodded silently, and we watched a hawk above floating gracefully in the air. “I know. Lindsey would always tell me that too. Being at Elspeth’s house, I could be free to do things I wanted and not feel guilty about it. I could be selfish, and that was okay.”
“Like with your art.”
Nairie smiled. “Yeah. She was my biggest cheerleader. And I won’t forget when you got me my first official art set. I still have it somewhere.”
I smiled. “I would have gotten you one every year if I had known it meant that much.”
“I know. But Lindsey took care of that too. I could envision a different kind of life for myself, but now that she’s gone...”
We reached the top of the hike and found a bench that overlooked the city. The air was crisp up here, and the sea glimmered in the distance, reminding me of home.
Nairie collected herself after sniffling away a few tears. “It feels like all my dreams died with her.”
I brushed one of her tears away with my knuckle and grazed the side of her face. “Lindsey wouldn’t want you to give up on your dreams. You deserve to live the life you want. Your parents want you to be happy.”
Nairie looked down and breathed deeply, letting my words settle.
“Have you talked to Elle about any of this?”
Nairie shook her head. I settled my hand around the base of her neck and stroked her skin with my thumb, hoping she didn’t notice.
“She’s going through so much of her own stuff.”
“Sharing your feelings with her will only bring you two closer. It’ll do both of you some good. And that’scoming from years of therapy myself.”
It was hard asking for help after I left the service, but I didn’t want to end up like so many guys I knew who struggled to cope with civilian life. If I had to build a business, I wanted to do it with a clear head.
Nairie looked up at me with her soft brown eyes. “I’m really proud of you. That must not have been easy.”
She turned to look out at the view, and I gently let my hand fall behind her on the bench. I watched as she took in the ocean. Rolls of fog blanketed the water, but we could still see the white caps of the waves crashing. Noise from the freeway in the distance almost sounded like rushing water, the wind from the cars strumming a constant hum. Million-dollar houses were nestled in the hills, and a helicopter flew by.
It was hard finding a quiet place in LA. If this were a hike back home, we wouldn’t see another person or hear another thing for miles.
“Thanks for taking me out here. You’re always so good at making me feel better.” Nairie smiled at me.
That was my favorite view, and my heart pounded harder in my chest. “Likewise. I’ll always be here to make you feel better, love.”
Nairie turned back to the skyline. “For now.”
I looked at her profile. “For always.”
Chapter 9
Nairie
