The sound of his voice in the dark, post-making love, while he shared his life and goals and dreams with me, and the feel of his attention while he listened when I gave him the same.
It was Harlow who approached and pulled me into her arms, whispering in my ear, “I hate it that it didn’t work out, Luna.”
I hated it too.
More than words could say.
“Thanks,” I mumbled, giving her a squeeze.
When Harlow moved away, Joey stated, “We need to talk about other things, but I sense you still need some time.”
And I sensed what those other things were.
The Angels wading into Knox’s sister’s bullshit.
I had to give headspace to that because I wasn’t sure it was wise. Case in point: Knox lying in a hospital bed with two holes in him.
We were servers, bartenders, pastry chefs and vigilantes.
Knox was a trained soldier, who then got more training to be a private investigator, and he still got drilled with two bullets.
I didn’t speak of that in the mo’, I just nodded.
I got more hugs, understanding murmurs and suggestions of shopping trips, coffee klatches or lunch dates, and sad looks aimed my way as the girls filed out until only Raye remained.
“Please get me,” I said softly.
“I get you,” she replied, studying me closely.
“Okay then, don’t be pissed at me.”
“I’m not pissed at you, Loon.” She sighed. “Like I said, I get you. Cap and I have actually talked about the eventuality of this kind of thing. Hot guys. Hot girls. Spending a lot of time together, sometimes doing that wearing bathing suits. Hormones. Pheromones. Availability during dry spells. And how all of that could mess up a good thing irrevocably.”
“You still wish I told you.”
“Well, yeah,” she said, and a small smile hit her lips. “But it isn’t like I don’t know you, babe. And knowing you, I know there are parts of you that you always keep to yourself. I’d be no friend at all if I pried those out before they were mine to have.”
God’s honest truth.
She was the bestest best bestie a bestie could ever have.
“Thanks, sister,” I whispered.
“I hate it didn’t work out,” she whispered back.
I shrugged, but I saw from her wince that my bullshit movement didn’t hide the pain.
“How is he?” I was still whispering.
“Cap was pushed out when visiting hours were over last night. When he got home, he shared Knox was finally fully awake and asking when he’d be released.”
Of course he was asking that.
“When is he going to be released?” I queried.
“They say a couple of days. They want him up and walking around. They think it’ll be Monday.”
I nodded.
