Markie paused, processing that information. He cracked open another seed, then said, “DOG.”
I crossed my arms. “You’re refusing nuance.”
“DOG.”
“Excellent discussion.”
He finished the last seed in the dish and hopped back onto the chair.
I glanced down at my phone again, where the message was still on the screen.
Liam:Just checking in. How are you?
There was something very deliberate about the way Liam had communicated with me. One call. One text. Then silence. No pressure. No expectation. He had simply placed the question in front of me and left the decision to respond to me.
Which meant he had probably assumed I was working. Or busy. Or not interested in talking. He had given me room. Which was thoughtful. Annoyingly thoughtful.
“He’s fine,” I said. “He’s not sitting somewhere dramatically waiting for my reply.”
Markie tilted his head.
I carried the phone into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. Markie followed behind me and landed on the headboard with a quiet thump.
“DOG.”
I groaned. “You have committed to the bit.”
I unlocked the screen.
The message thread opened immediately.
Liam:Just checking in. Are you okay?
Dr. Ellie’s session returned to my mind without invitation.
Safe people.
Notice them.
Allow access slowly.
The idea had sounded very reasonable when she said it earlier that morning. Sitting in her quiet office with mountains outside the window had made the concept feel almost achievable.
My thumb moved across the keyboard before I had fully decided what I was doing.
Zoey:Sorry. Had a busy few days. I’m good.
I stared at the sentence. Normal and friendly. I deleted it.
Markie leaned forward from the headboard, watching with interest.
I typed again.
Zoey:Mei dropped off something incredible for dinner.
I studied that one too. Deleted.
Markie shifted above me, feathers rustling.
