“I’ve been busy,” I tell her. It’s not really a lie. The last few days have been filled with Rella, and even before then, my hunt for the survivors of Sweet Haven has taken a lot of my time. I want them found and dealt with. They’ve been free for too many years.
From the dejected look in her eyes, I know I’ve hurt her. I feel like an asshole the size of the Grand Canyon.
A wave of peaches hits my senses, and I glance over to see Rella shifting uncomfortably. She’s moved a bit closer to me.
I’m just about to introduce them when Grace steps forward and offers Rella her hand. “Hey. I’m Grace, and you must be Rella.”
The color drains from Rella’s face, and she stumbles back a step. I reach out to grab her before she can fall, then remember I can’t touch her either. My help isn’t needed anyway. She catches herself before she can tumble over.
Instinct has me wanting to step in front of her and block her from Grace, anything to take that petrified look off her face, but Grace hasn’t done anything wrong. She’s just being her friendly self.
Worry lines appear on her face, and she moves her eyes to me. “I’m sorry,” she says quietly. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No. She just prefers people to keep their distance.”
“Oh.” She looks back at Rella.
Rella composes herself quicker than I expected and comes forward, making sure to keep several feet between her and Grace, although she does shift closer to me. There’s color back in her cheeks, but it’s too bright, like it’s the color of embarrassment. She’s got not one damn thing to be embarrassed about. Grace would never judge her; she’s been through her own form of hell. Rella doesn’t know that though.
“I’m sorry,” she stammers, the quiver in her tone irritating me. “Please don’t think it’s personal.”
Grace smiles in understanding, and I’m grateful she’s trying to put Rella at ease. “Please don’t apologize.”
Some of the tension leaves Rella, and she gives Grace a brittle smile.
“You said your name is Grace?” Grace nods. “It’s very nice to meet you. And yes, I’m Rella.”
“It’s great to meet you as well. I’m sure Trouble is beyond thrilled to have you back home.”
Despite the heat outside, Rella has on a long-sleeved shirt. She takes the ends of the sleeves and pulls them so they cover half of her palms.
“I’ll let you both go. It was nice seeing you again, Emo.”
I nod, and with one more look at Rella and me, she moves past us.
“Are you ready to head back home?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
It’s silent for several minutes as we make our way back toward Trouble’s house. The sun is starting to set, and there’s a slight breeze, cooling the drops of sweat sliding down my back. It’s been nice spending the day with her. It reminds me of the good times we had in Sweet Haven.
“You and that woman, Grace, are close, aren’t you?”
Her question doesn’t really surprise me. I saw the curiosity on her face as she watched Grace walk away.
“I wouldn’t say close. We’re… friends.”
I feel her looking at me, so I glance over. Her eyes are narrowed, like she’s thinking about something.
“You’re lovers,” she guesses
Something shifts in my stomach, and I suddenly don’t feel right talking about this with Rella. It feels wrong and disrespectful. But lying to her doesn’t sit right with me either.
“Yes.”
She nods and faces forward again, but I catch her frown.
“Are you still?”