Athena shakes her head.
“Oh, you’ll love her. And Jess. She might be able to join us too. Plus Avery.” Then we could all head over to Simone’s together.
“Maybe…maybe another time. We…Peony and I should get going.” Shecrouches next to Peony’s stroller, her body clearly not struggling with chronic pain and muscle stiffness.
She smiles at Garrett’s daughter, her face lighting up like that of an ethereal creature. “You ready to go on another adventure?” she asks Peony. “Maybe to the stars?”
Two guys in their late twenties walk past us. One glances in Athena’s direction, and he elbows his friend. “Damn, that’s one hot piece of ass.”
Athena’s smile vanishes. The tight expression that takes its place is scorching enough to melt plastic. She shoots upright, standing a few feet in front of them.
“I’m not a farm animal, nor am I any part of one.” Her voice is low with warning, sharpened to eviscerate despite the Texan drawl that isn’t usually there. And I blink, watching the usually docile, ethereal creature transform into something mind-blowingly fierce—and a little frightening. “If you think I am, then your mama obviously dropped you on your head when you were a scraggly newborn.” The Texan accent has vanished from Athena’s voice as if it was never really there.
Why try to hide it?
Her fierceness reminds me so much of Kenda, and my heart aches once again at how much I miss my friend.
She also…she also reminds me ofme, especially when I was a kid and stood up to bullies who targeted my friends. Back when I’d thought I was invincible.
An irritated frown crosses the man’s face. His friend snickers, looking ready to give the guy grief for Athena’s reaction.
Athena’s smile returns, demure in a way I’ve never seen from her until now. And it’s fully directed at Peony, as if she hadn’t just spoken to the man that way. As if her mask had slipped, allowing the real Athena to peek out, and now it’s back in position.
Or perhaps it’s the other way around.
I have no idea which is the real Athena and which is fake.
Part of me wants to step in, to keep things from getting uglier—which I will do if the men don’t get the hint and leave. Another part is ready to stand back and watch where things go. I sense if Peony wasn’t here,Athena would have really let loose her feelings about the man’s sexist comment.
He opens his mouth to say something—or catch flies—but his friend shoves his arm. “Let’s get out of here before she takes a chunk out ofyourass.” Laughter tints the friend’s tone. “Jesus, my sister would love her.” He chuckles as the two of them walk away.
I don’t hear what else they have to say. I’m too busy staring at Athena as she fusses over Peony like none of that just happened.
“Damn. That was beautiful.” Lauren walks up to us, her sleek black hair swinging down her back in a long ponytail. She’s a few years younger than me and is wearing a long-sleeved floral dress and cowgirl boots. “It’s about time someone put Chris in his place.” She grins at Athena. “Hi, I’m Lauren.”
“Athena.” Athena’s mouth bends into an uncertain smile.
“Nice to meet you, Athena.” Lauren levels her grin at me. “Hey, Zara. I can’t wait to see what you’re doing to Picnic & Treats.”
“Thanks. I was going to call you this afternoon. I’m planning a grand reopening celebration, and I’d love it if you could perform a few sets.” I then tell Athena, “Lauren is an incredible singer and musician.”
I fill Lauren in on the date and time.
“I would love to perform. And it should work for my schedule, but I’ll get back to you later this afternoon to let you know for sure. I have to run now. I have a lesson with a student in ten minutes. It was nice meeting you, Athena. And your cute little girl.” Lauren waves at Peony and hurries off before I can correct her about Garrett’s daughter.
“Peony and I should get going too.” Athena offers me a soft smile. “It was nice seeing you again, Zara.”
“You too, Athena.”Ask her.“Are you originally from Texas?” At the sudden coldness in her eyes, I add, “I noticed your accent when you got mad at that guy.”
“No idea what you’re talking about. I’m from North Carolina.” Athena starts pushing the stroller, clearly done with our conversation.
I blink, taken aback by her sudden change in mood. I quickly recover and wave to Garrett’s daughter. “Bye, Peony.”
Peony returns my wave as Athena pushes the stroller past me.
Strange.Why would she suddenly have a Texan accent? Was she an actress in her past life who played a Texan at some point? But why deny it?
I shake the thought from my head, not wanting to fall down a rabbit hole. I continue walking to the park, letting my thoughts shift from what I just witnessed and my brief conversation with Lauren to the new twist in Garrett’s and my friendship.
