The relief in her voice was impossible to miss.
I sat back in my chair and studied her.
"Of courseIwould, baby,"Isaid quietly.
"Are yousureyou don't mind?"she pressed.
I shrugged.
"Vivienne, it's a twenty-minute drive.You'reacting likeI'mvolunteering to cross theArctic."
A reluctant laugh escaped her, and the sound made me feel absurdly pleased with myself.Myex,Jennie, used to say one of my love languages wasActsofService.Inever minded picking things up from the store or working around the house.Ithink it came from being raised by my dad for so long after my mom died.Aftershe was gone, ifIdidn’t do things, they didn’t get done.Soit wasn’t a big deal for me to do things like errands or chores now.
"I suppose you're right,”Viviennesaid, smiling at me.
I winked at her.
"I usually am."
That earned me an eye roll, but she was smiling—just a little.
There she is,Ithought.There'smy girl.
The realization slipped into my head beforeIcould stop it.
My girl.That’showIwas thinking of her.EventhoughIknewIcould never have her—even though she’d asked for distance.Ijust couldn’t seem to help myself—she belonged with me.Iknew it in my bones, even if the world said it could never be so.
I took a long sip of coffee and tried very hard not to examine that particular thought too closely.
“I’ll go right after breakfast,”Isaid.
"Thank you," she said softly.Shereached across the table and put her hand on mine, very briefly.
That simple touch sent a shiver of pure desire down my spine, butItried to keep my voice calm.
"You're welcome,”Isaid and for a moment our eyes met across the table.
Whatever was troubling her, hadn't gone away.Icould still see it there—the worry and uncertainty.Butat least she looked a little less overwhelmed than she had a few minutes earlier and for now, that was enough.
A short while laterIwas heading down the mountain road towardBlackridgewith the top down on theMustangand a list of package tracking numbers in my pocket.Itold myselfIwas only running an errand and givingViviennea chance to rest.Iplanned to be back before lunch.
WhatIdidn't know was that before the day was over,Iwas going to learn exactly what she'd been trying so hard to hide.
And onceIfound out, nothing between us was ever going to be the same again.
THIRTY-SIX
KOR
The post office was nearly empty whenIwalked in, whichIconsidered a blessing.AftertheCouncilmeeting,Iwasn’t exactly in the mood to make small talk with anyone inBlackridge.BarbaraFinchwas behind the counter, sorting through envelopes with a sour expression on her face, and the moment she saw me, that expression sharpened into something that looked a lot like disapproval.
“AlphaKorwyn,” she said flatly.
“Barbara.”Iset the package slipsViviennehad printed out for me on the worn wooden counter.“I’mhere to pick these up.”
She glanced at the slips and then gave a short nod.
“I know.”