“It wasn’t your fault,” Malik murmurs.
“For real, though,” my niece repeats.
“It wasn’t,” I repeat, too, even though it feels rote to say it.
“We keep saying that to you for a reason, Lou,” he continues. “Have you considered talking to the pack therapist about it? Connall is absolutely lovely. I see him once a week, in fact, for braintenance.”
“Braintenance?”
“Brain maintenance,” he says with a laugh.
“You made that up,” I say with accusation. Next to me, Morgan chuckles.
“Yeah, but Connall inspired it,” he responds slyly.
Connall.
Just the mention of the handsome shifter makes my body even tighter than before. I wipe the back of my hand across my sweaty brow.
“Lou, shall we go for a flight?” Malik asks.
I shake my head, my eyes moving around the store. It’s far better if I can focus on the tasks at hand rather than the grief. It’s like, if I stand in place for too long, I might just expire right there from the overwhelm.
“It takes time.” It’s another common response I’ve started to use. I’ve got a handful of them now when people ask me how I’m doing.
It takes time. I’ll be fine. I’m taking it slow. Thanks for your concern.
What people don’t realize about grief is that it comes in waves. One minute, I truly am fine, and the next I want to hide under the table and never come out again.
I can’t remember if Malik asked me a question I haven’t answered or what, so I look up. He wears a kind expression, his hands clasped at his front. With his elegant tailored vest, he looks like a hot monster professor. I glance between him andMorgan, but she gives me a soft smile and goes back to helping organize the crystals. She doesn’t even work here, but I know she’s hanging out to keep an eye on me.
Just then, a bell dings, the sound muffled by the root-bound roof above us.
I know who it is before he announces himself. Wind ruffles my hair, stroking it away from my face and over my shoulder. Turning, I hold back a smile, ‘cause it’ll just egg him on.
“Hello, Dirk,” Malik calls over his shoulder as the tall blue sylph struts into Alkemi with his typical devious expression.
“Louanna, my darling,” he comes to a stop beside Malik, “I’ve a proposition for you as soon as yeh’re off work.” He glances at my niece and winks playfully.
“Hello, Dirk,” she says with a laugh. Giving me an expectant look, she jerks her head toward the door. “I’m gonna head home, Lou. Call me later?”
When she waggles both dark red brows, I resist the urge to stomp on her foot for being so obvious.
“Get outta here, bitch,” I command, shoving her toward the door.
She swats my side and leaves. Dirk watches her go, but once the door closes, he returns his focus to me.
My heart clenches and tightens, fluttering again when he reaches out and brushes his knuckles along my cheek. His skin isn’t as warm as mine. Neon zips of blue lightning travel across it as navy eyes alight on me and crinkle at the corners. He’s so striking, but I try hard not to stare too much—it just encourages him.
“She’s done for today,” Malik says. “Take her out for some fun, would you?”
Something inside me tightens. This feels precariously close to a date. My mind drifts to Connall. If I take this offer, I’meffectively closing the door on ever starting anything with the big shifter.
And this is one of the many reasons I’ve kept Dirk at arm’s length. I don’t want to make that decision.
But then Dirk’s smile goes broad, revealing twin rows of conical teeth. “Fun I can do. Shall we, Louanna?” His hand drifts to mine, his fingers interlacing in a loose grip.
I war with my thoughts. But realistically, going on one date doesn’t have to be serious. “Are you sure, Malik?” I glance up to see my centaur boss frowning. “Okay, okay, I’ll go.”
