"No!" she blurts and stands on wobbly legs. Tucking her blanket into a tiny ball beneath her arm, she shakes her head at Sue. "No, I'm fine. You—you have other things to do."
Still on the ground, I watch with as much of a trained eye as I possibly can.What's going on with you, Lulu?Sue also stands but in place of her compassionate look, her eyebrows are drawn together and her mouth is pinched with thought.
Then, Lulu's bottom lip fucking wobbles. "S-sorry." As if shoved from behind, Lulu rushes away from Sue and comes to stand near me.
Sue and I share a heavy look, and I know without a shadow of a doubt, Lulu is going to have many people looking out for her. Lulu is safe here, and I'll do everything I can to make sure of that.
"Interview now?" she basically whimpers and steals the breath from my lungs with the uncertainty lacing her voice.
"Of course." I beam and let out an exaggerated groan as I stand, hoping to make Lulu giggle. Instead, that fucking lip wobbles again.
"I—sorry," she whispers.
It's going to take more than some easy people skills to understand this sweet girl. More than just making myself small and silly. More than being gentle and warm.
I'll figure Lulu out, because I'm pretty damn sure she's mine.
five
LULU
Sue's frown serves as the perfect reminder that I'm doing something wrong. I shouldn't be on the ground or cowering away from herboss. I'm being offensive beyond belief. So much so that I'm really struggling to hold my emotions in check.
The last thing they want is for me to start crying. Goodness, I already fell over in my haste to leave and regressed too far, hindering my ability to speak.
With my shoulders back, I shove Little me into her cozy corner in my mind and request the interview I was promised. I need this job, embarrassment be damned.
Guilt and worry for my safety flare as the man, Preston, groans. He struggles to stand and all I can think is how it's my fault he was down there in the first place. My apology makes him frown for half a second, immediately making my throat clog with worry.
The disapproving look on his face disappears quick, though. So fast I wonder how he's able to pivot like that. I'll need to remember that.
"Come on, little one."
Why does he call me that?He can't know about Little Lulu. Internally rolling my eyes at my automatic concern, I chalk itup to the fact that I'm bony and short. Will he let me work here considering my appearance?
I keep my steps light as I follow Preston down the hallway. It's a very large building, making me feel small and insignificant. There's nothing warm and cozy about this place, which surprises me.
"We open in one week. Right out the window, you'll see the path that leads to the residents' cabin. Those are for the people who come to us needing shelter," Preston shares, hands shoved in his pockets as he slows his steps to let me catch up.
"Pretty," I compliment. The forest gives the property a whimsical feel but it's missing something.
Preston stops and turns his full attention to me. "I sense a but."
"Oh, nothing." My face flames red and I avoid his gaze.
"Please tell me."
His voice sounds so soft and gentle I'm unable to hold myself back from peeking at him. The openness of his gaze sets me at ease enough to share my thoughts. "Twinkly lights strung in the trees would be a cozy, comforting touch."
Preston angles himself to look out the window. I watch as he cocks his head as if he's picturing my suggestion. Is he actually considering my idea?
"You're right. Especially at night I'm sure that would help people feel more safe. Thank you," he says with a soft smile that only makes me blush harder. The thoughtful look he pins me with makes me shift nervously.
Keep it together.
"Down this hallway," he murmurs, twisting on his heel as he encourages me forward, "are the offices. I'll show you where Sue's is in case you need her. Or if you just want somewhere to hang out. Cora hangs out in there too. Some of the other girls join."
I hum, wondering if that's distracting for Sue. Surely she has a lot of work she needs to do.
