Page 53 of Resist

“Did you guys have a good day?” He walks in and takes a seat at the table.

“Of course. Arts and crafts.”

“Ah, her favorite.”

I motion over to the kitchen counter, where there is a blur of oranges and reds and yellows. “We made some fall decorations for the house and for her room. She said that she wanted us to both have the same thing so that we could pretend we were together.” Her words still echo in my ears and cause a pang in my heart.

Joey notices the sadness come across my face but just nods measuredly. “I’ll make sure to help her hang them when we get back.” He smiles when Lucy giggles out loud at something in her lesson. She looks up and waves animatedly at him before pointing to the computer and returning her attention to the voice speaking to her in her headphones. “You could always come back with us. Tonight’s movie night. We could watch the movie, and then you and I could grab a quick bite to eat after. Just to talk about Luce.”

My mind immediately shifts to Ryker and our planned date tonight. To my unease over it and my confusion as to why a small part of me deep down is excited at the same time.

It has to be because I’m exhausted.

That’s the only way I can reason it.

Looking over to Joey as I move into the kitchen, I smile softly. “That sounds like a perfect night, and as much as I’d much rather be with you guys tonight, I already have plans.”

“Then cancel.”

“It’s not that easy,” I say with a shake of my head and the sound of Ryker’s threat in my ear. “It’s an obligation I have to fulfill.”

“So, it’s not a hot date you’re blowing us off for?” he jokes with a laugh.

“Not a hot date.”

His eyes meet mine. There’s humor in them and something else I can’t quite read. “Then maybe another time?”

“Maybe.” I nod subtly. “Working nights makes it hard to do anything.”

“It must be exhausting.”

“Walking on heels for six hours straight in any job is exhausting.” I laugh.

“Do you meet many men?”

“What do you—”

“I mean, you’re a gorgeous single woman. What better place to meet a successful man than the überswanky club you work at.”

“I’d have to be looking first.” I turn on the sink and begin to wash the dishes from Lucy’s snack. “And second, most of the guys there are either married or too damn stuck on themselves for me to ever consider giving them the time of day.”

“You’re not looking? Everybody’s always looking,” he says through a laugh. It’s followed by an awkward silence I’m more than happy Lucy interrupts when she throws her arms up.

“All done!” she exclaims.

She moves across the room and wraps her arms around my waist as is her habit when she’s unhappy.

“Safety blanket,” Joey murmurs in acknowledgment of Lucy’s habit of using my comfort as a way to avoid facing the fact she has to leave.

Lucy and I say our goodbyes. Butterfly kisses followed by Eskimo kisses and then a secret handshake that changes every time we share one. A few giggles over jokes we made and a lot of promises about the fun we’ll have next time. We collect her decorations, and as Joey grabs her bag, I’m already longing for the next time I get to see her again.

“I really appreciate you picking her up, Joey.”

“It’s no big deal.”

“You know it’s not expected, and it’s not something you have—”

“I know it isn’t . . . but it’s on my way in to work, and it’s easier on her saying goodbye here rather than at the facility. Besides, we might just have a favorite ice-cream shop that we frequent before we head in.”