Her beautiful, sleepy voice cut through Sylvie’s doubt. What was it about that voice, that face, which was so magnetic?
“Good morning.” Sylvie sat up, meaning to gather herself. “I should get going.”
“It’s Friday. We have our regular catch-up scheduled.” Ade yawned, her bare arms popping from her sleeves. “I look forward to it.”
Sylvie averted her gaze, her head spinning more and more with every inch of Ade’s body uncovered from the duvet. When had they decided to make up the bed? She shook her head, not wishing to replay the events too vividly. She’d really tried to keep her distance yesterday, but Ade had been so vulnerable that all her instincts kicked in to protect her.
“You want to get coffee and talk here?” Ade asked.
Sylvie shouldn’t stay any longer. She’d hurdled all kinds of professional boundaries. But Ade scratched at her hair and rubbed her eyes, looking more gorgeous than ever.
“Why not?” The answer slipped from Sylvie’s lips.
“What do you mean?” Ade’s brow furrowed.
“I mean, yes, I’d love to get coffee and talk here.” Sylvie smiled, losing herself in the depth of Ade’s wide pupils. “Do you want to grab them from the bakery while I have a quick shower?” It was presumptive, but Sylvie couldn’t stay without cleaning herself up.
Ade jumped out of the bed and pulled on her shoes. “I’ll go now. Help yourself to whatever you need.” She threw open her closet, revealing a line of identical black T-shirts. “If you need clothes, they’re in here.”
Sylvie drew the line at wearing Ade’s clothes. “And towels?”
“On the bathroom shelf. If they’re folded, they’re clean. That’s the Poole household golden rule.” Ade seemed to come to life with excitement.
As she practically skipped out of the front door, Sylvie breathed a sigh of relief. She’d gotten through the night, and she could come back from this. She’d done what any responsible adult would have done: she’d helped a friend in need. A younger friend, who was away from home and on her own.
Under the shower, she washed away the questions reverberating between her ears: why couldn’t she leave, really? What had her fixed to the spot last night, sipping her drink and gazing into Ade’s eyes while the conversation flowed between them?
“I’m back.” Ade clattered something around behind the flimsy bathroom door.
Merde.She’d hoped to be dry and dressed. The only thing between her naked body and Ade was a six-foot length of plywood and a towel. She peered into the steamed mirror and groaned at her tangled wet hair.Nothing says professional like stepping out of a fresh shower.
Sylvie hopped up and down in the petite bathroom, pulling onlast night’s clothes over her damp skin. She inspected her makeup free face and screwed her nose up at the creases around her eyes. Ade had no signs of her age. Her skin was smooth and without a single blemish. Without a face of armor, Sylvie shrank from the situation and snuck back into the kitchen area, not wanting to be noticed.
“There you are,” Ade said, without a hint of self-consciousness.
“Listen, maybe I should head off,” Sylvie said, ducking her head.
“But why?” Ade’s face fell with disappointment. “I have the coffee, and you said we could have our meeting here.”
“I know I did.” She took a cup and perched on the edge of the sofa bed, eager to get it over with. “Let’s do this. How are things going with your group?”
Ade took a deep breath and sat down opposite. “I think I’m making progress, then something happens, and I realize I’m terrible with people.”
Well, that cut to the chase.“You are terrible with people. Sometimes.”
Ade glared at her. “That’s not helpful.”
“You’re right. I’m here to be helpful.” Sylvie smiled. “But the truth is, I’ve seen you at your best. You’re full of empathy. You’re attuned. You’re in sync with what’s around you.”
“What?”
“When you’re with your marine animals—notwith your students,” said Sylvie.
Ade crossed her arms, as if she was processing the scale of the insult, then she cracked a smile, and her laughter filled the room. “You’re so right.”
“So don’t beat yourself up about it. Focus on what you’re good at. What you’re pretty great at.”
“Sometimes I don’t feel good at very much,” said Ade. “I don’t feel like I fit in the world.”
