Sweet Dandelion
I swallow now, squeezing Lachlan’s hand.
“I thought I was going to die there as my mom held me. She did too.”
My sweet, Dandelion. May you always be as free as the birds, as wild as the flowers, and untamed as the sea.
The lump in my throat grows bigger. “But she died instead.”
“It’s not a nightmare.” I startle at Lachlan’s deep voice reverberating against me.
Recovering, I murmur, “No, it was my reality.”
He doesn’t say he’s sorry. There’s no point to the word sorry, not in this situation at least. Instead, he squeezes me tighter, nuzzling his face into my neck. My heart jumps when he presses his lips affectionately to the crook where my neck meets my shoulders. “I’ve got you,” he hums.
I hold his hand tighter.
Don’t let me fall.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Somehow, I sneak out of Lachlan’s apartment without waking him. I leave a note on his pillow with a simple thank you.
The chances of Sage being awake this early are slim, it’s before six, but you never know. I ease the door open, I hadn’t locked it behind me, and tiptoe inside. I pause, listening. When I hear nothing I close it gently and lock up.
I grab a water and use the bathroom before slipping back into my bed.
I’m surprised when I fall right to sleep, with no fitful turning, or visions of things I’d rather not relive.
I wake up late, almost noon time, and find Sage sitting on the couch.
He looks up when he hears me and turns down the volume on the TV. He gives me a small, forced smile. His eyes are sad. “I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Thank you.” I cross the room, plopping on the couch beside him. “I think I needed it.” I also think the time spent in Lachlan’s arms helped me get the best sleep I’ve had in a very long time that wasn’t drug induced from the hospital.
“Hungry?” Sage questions, looking at the smart watch clinging to his wrist. “We can go get brunch. I know a great place—”
I can’t help smiling. My brother, the foodie who has no idea how to cook, but knows the best places to eat.
“Brunch sounds good. Maybe we could go somewhere after? A market?”
Sage smiles at me, his eyes a little brighter. “Yeah, we can do that, D.”
I think he needs a distraction today as much as I do. It’s not about forgetting what happened that day, or our mom, but finding a way to keep our heads above water.
“I’ll get ready.” I hop up, and go take a shower.
I blow-dry my hair since I don’t want to be outside with wet locks. I bundle up in some of my warmest clothes—a pair of dark wash jeans, a black turtle neck with a chunky gray sweater over it, and I top it all off with a beanie. Once I put my coat on I dare the cold to try and touch me.
When I come out of my room, Sage chuckles at my attire. “Cold?”
“Nope, I’m nice and toasty. Gonna stay that way too.” I stick my tongue out at him.
It’s easier to be playful than to give into the painful sadness I know is going to come back. Lachlan helped keep it at bay, but his magical powers can’t last forever. So, for now, I keep my brave face. Sometimes we have to wear a mask to get through things, fake it until you make it.
Sage shrugs into his black pea coat, while I do the same. I also tug on my mittens.
We head down to the garage and get into Sage’s car. The drive to wherever he’s taking me only lasts fifteen minutes tops. He pulls into the parking lot and tells me to follow him.
We end up at a small café on the bottom level of a high rise. It’s the kind of place easily overlooked, but the smells wafting from it are incredible. My tummy rumbles in response.