“Sounds beautiful,” I murmur. He blinks a few times, breaking whatever memory he was reliving. “That side of town is a goat farm now.”
“Hm,” he grunts, and then continues back to his work.
And then I feel like the scum of the earth, ruining his memory. So, I keep my trap shut. We continue working in that silence until I finally yawn so big my jaw pops.
“You should go home and rest,” Adriel commands softly, and it sends a shiver down my spine.
All I can manage is to nod.
Adriel walks me to the same place as last time. However, unlike last time, I pause just in front of him. He doesn’t make an effort to close the distance. Not that I’m surprised if he can’t stand being touched.
“Would it be horrendous if I returned tomorrow?” I ask, nibbling on my bottom lip nervously.
He turns his attention to look down at Ludo on his shoulder for several long-ass seconds before looking back at me. “I think I’d enjoy that.”
Hethinks?
I sigh inwardly, not like I can argue with him about it if I want to keep coming.
With a beaming smile, I wave goodnight and trudge my way back through the woods.
To Grandmother’s house I go.
Chapter 14
Abraham's POV
Iwrap my fingertips along the wooden counter, bored out of my mind. The dusting and watering of plants is already done. I even reorganized the children’s book section twice to represent smaller author names and cute covers.
Flipping the page of the book I’m not actively reading, the bell over my shop door chimes. I wait a few blinks before looking up to see who it is, not wanting these people to think they have any power over me. I don’t actually need their business. The shop just staves off my boredom.
Well, at least eases it some.
Mayhem and shenanigans solve all problems, the voice purrs in my ear.
Finally looking up, I nearly swallow my tongue. Rami’s grandmother is looking around my shop with open curiosity. Part of me wants to snarl at the wretched woman for how shetreats the sweet young man, but her presence seems to ease something deep inside me.
“Afternoon, Julia, what can I do for you today?”
She snaps her head around and looks me up and down. “Abraham, right?” she questions, raising a sardonic brow.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I assume my grandson, Rami, visits your shop often,” she says vaguely.
“What makes you think that?” I pry, not wanting to get him in any more trouble than he always seems to be.
“He frequently brings home books with no library tags or codes on them. I know he’s not ordering them online. That leaves you. Am I wrong?”
The air around her is charged with her accusation, and I can’t help the smile that curls my face. She’s a strong woman, and it bleeds from her essence.
Despite my reluctance, I like her instantly.
“You’re not wrong,” I answer vaguely. “How is he doing? Haven’t seen him around in a while.” I aim for nonchalance, but those wise blue eyes, exactly like Rami’s, stare at me knowingly. She doesn’t sneer or say anything ugly. To her credit, she simply watches me.
“He got hurt and has been resting a lot lately. He is being strong, but I think it takes a lot out of him. He’s been sleeping a lot more than usual.”
My protective instinct flares hotly, and I want to rush to his side and be the provider he deserves. But I also feel better knowing that the reason I haven’t seen him isn’t because I kissed him. Though I’d do it again in a heartbeat, his taste and the softness of his lips are like a drug, begging for another hit. I hide all of that behind the mask I’ve perfected for these people, not giving away any hint of a weakness. Especially not one for a precious young man that happens to be this woman’s grandson.
