“No, I’m not. And let’s not get into that right now. If we do, my shoulders will become earrings, too, and I’d rather not undo our hard work.”
My gaze snagged on the grass stains and his bare feet. Something or someone had bothered Liem before I arrived, and that bothered me.
Was I going to have to punch someone again?
I wasn’t opposed to it.
“Dezi.”
He said it so quietly, which was somehow more effective than shouting, and it was enough to get me back on track. I propped my feet on the front of the cart and scooched to the edge of the seat, then turned on my side to face the sidewalk, giving Liem my back.
This seemed the safest position, considering I didn’t know this town or its inhabitants yet.
Though I was kidding myself if I thought that knowing them would’ve also meant trusting them.
“Good. Now, can you unclench your jaw?”
The crack that followed pierced the air, and I let out a startled laugh. “Holy shit.”
“How do you feel?” he asked with amusement.
I took stock of my lowered shoulders and jaw. “I don’t really know, but keep going?”
“Very well. Tell me about your toes.”
I automatically scrunched both my nose and all ten of my toes. “Uh… I think I do better with directions. Can you just tell me what to do?”
A couple of cars whizzed past, and the birdsong in one of the many Florida maple trees that dotted downtown painted the air.
When he finally answered, his voice was hushed. “Yes. I can do that. Are you ready?”
“Yeah.”
“Uncurl your toes.”
I did.
“And your fingers.”
I splayed them against my stomach.
“Straighten your wrists.”
I adjusted my elbows and did as he asked, immediately feeling the relief in my joints.
“Let your muscles take a break.”
I sank further into the seat.
“You’re safe, Dezi.”
And then I melted all the way into the seat and into the silence that followed.
Eventually, I asked, “Should I close my eyes?”
“Do you want to?”
“I’m not sure.”
