The Sinister Silhouette

“No, thanks.”

He stands there for another moment, his eyes darkening as he looks me over. When he suddenly turns and walks across the room, I relax for the first time since waking and finding him in the corner.

He stops at the door and turns back. “If you ever get scared, you can always come to my room. I’m sure Aria wouldn’t mind having her bed back.”

My stomach churns at the thought of sleeping with him. Then guilt fills me, because I’ve done virtually nothing to try and close the rift between us. Theo’s been very patient and understanding with me, and all I’ve done is feel sorry for myself and distance myself from him as much as possible. I’m making the situation worse by not trying to form a bond with him.

Swallowing, I tell him, “Maybe we can try that soon.”

The look that overcomes his face can’t be construed as anything other than pure happiness.

“Good night, Jules. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Theo.”

He opens the door and quietly closes it behind him. I scoot down until I’m lying flat in bed. I flick off the light and stare at the dark ceiling. As I think about the possibility of sleeping in the same bed as Theo, I subconsciously wipe away the residual feeling of his lips on the back of my hand.

I’M SITTING AT THE kitchen table eating leftover homemade chicken noodle soup. Aria, who’s already finished her dinner, is in the chair next to me, drawing. She’s surprisingly good for a girl her age. When she first showed me one of her drawings, I thought an accomplished adult drew it. I was shocked when she told me it was her. I like watching her draw. The girl can be hyper at times, but when she’s drawing, she’s calm and concentrated. It somehow soothes me to watch her in her element.

I notice the time on the stove and begin to worry. Theo was supposed to be here thirty minutes a

go to see Aria off when Luca comes to pick her up. This isn’t the first time he’s been late. He says it’s because he’s been working late on a couple of cars for customers who want them repaired as soon as possible. I’ve smelled the hints of perfume on him and seen the smudges of red from lipstick on his neck that he wasn’t able to fully wipe away.

It doesn’t surprise me that Theo is seeing other women. It has to be hard living with someone you’re sexually attracted to—and I know he’s sexually attracted to me from the many heated looks he gives me—and not be able to act on that attraction.

What does surprise me is the lack of jealousy or anger on my part, knowing he’s been with other women. It’s actually a relief he’s expending that kind of energy on someone else. But I know that needs to change. I know once my memories come back, and I remember the feelings I once held for Theo, that relief will turn to hurt.

I get up and take my empty bowl to the sink, where I rinse it and put it in the dish drain. I sit back at the table.

“Are you excited to go to your uncle’s house?” I ask Aria.

“Uh-huh,” she answers without looking up. “I always have fun at Uncle Luca’s house.”

She sticks her tongue out the side of her mouth as she finishes up her picture. I can’t help but smile at the cute look.

“Do you go there a lot?”

“Sometimes. Sometimes I go to my Gamma and Pa’s house or Aunt Ella and Aunt Vicki’s.”

I’ve only met Vicki once and haven’t spoken to her, but Theo’s told me she and Ella have been together since high school. I’ve see a few pictures of them together, and there’s no doubt they are in love. It shines brightly in their eyes.

Aria sets her pencil down and picks up the picture. After looking at it, she turns it to face me. “Do you like it?”

I grab the drawing from her and take a closer look. It’s a little bird sitting in a nest, her wings flared out as she protects the eggs underneath her. The intricate design of the nest is stunning, the lines are almost perfect. It surely doesn’t look like a child drew it. It amazes me how a girl so young could have such a steady hand.

I look back at Aria to find her watching me, her little brows pulled down into a frown, as if she’s worried I won’t like the picture.

I put as much enthusiasm in my voice as I feel and smile. “This is absolutely gorgeous, Aria. I love how the momma bird is protecting her baby eggs. You’re extremely talented.”

She beams a smile at me so bright, I swear I feel rays of warmth coming from her.

“Thank you. Uncle Luca said I take after him, Aunt Ella, and Pa. I want to work in his tattoo shop when I get old enough.”

I hold back my shock at Aria’s words, unable to imagine such a sweet girl working in a place like a tattoo shop. And the conviction in her tone says she’s perfectly serious. I wonder how Theo feels about the subject.

“I want you to have it,” Aria says, pulling me from my thoughts.

I look at her in surprise. “Are you sure? You don’t want to give it to your dad or Uncle Luca?”