We all handle grief differently and that is okay.
“You doing okay over there?” my aunt calls to me.
I give her a thumbs up, making her smile brighten. She has been there when I have needed to vent about Logan or Val. Being at work, they slip my mind but when I come home, my anxiety seeps in, and all I can do is focus on them, and what went down.
“I think it is time for a cold drink, don’t you?”
“I could do with a cold drink. It is freaking hot today.”
Pushing to my feet, I brush off the soil from my bare knees, following her inside and I sigh when the cool air hits my heated, damp skin. Removing my gloves, I wash my hands, and collect glasses from the cupboard.
“I heard back from Mrs. Brady. She gave me the information I need for the Summer Festival this weekend. We can finally plan, my girl.”
“Whoop. It will be amazing. I bet you sell out of everything.”
“Now, that would be a nice dream,” she replies with a sweet smile.
“You will, I bet. People love the soaps and lotions that you make.”
“You are my niece, so you have a biased opinion.” I shrug and laugh.
“Maybe, but I do not lie, I know that people love them. I have seen the online orders that you get, Aunty.”
“Maybe. I need to start making my supply for the day. Maybe I will try that new scent I was looking at online.”
“Which one?”
“The mango and coconut. It sounds like it could smell amazing.”
An idea pops into my head and I look at her and I know she knows that I have an idea. Her eyes narrow on me with suspicion.
“What are you thinking?”
“You know women love a bad boy, love dark romance books.” She nods, sipping her drink. “Maybe do something along those lines. Maybe, um, something earthy, or woodsy, mixed with motor oil.”
Logan’s smiling face slips into my mind. I try to shake him off but he is still there smiling at me with that handsome mouth, that I wish would do wicked things to me.
Damn it, Stevie, we talked about this.
“I am correct in thinking this may have something to do with an old crush?” I shrug one shoulder, making her laugh.
“No. I do not know what he smells like.” The lie slips from my tongue with ease but she sees through me.
Humming behind her glass, she drinks more. I do the same, my throat suddenly dry thinking about how Logan smells, or how he would smell after a hot round of steamy sex.
Shit.
“Oh, but you want to.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
Giggling I shake my head, pointing at her. “You are seeing things that are not there, Aunty. He is back with Val and I can only wish him well, because he is going to need all the luck he can get, being with her again.”
“You need to cut ties with her. She is nothing but negativity, my girl.”
“I know.” I nod. “After this.” I point to my face. “I am done. I do not need that kind of person in my life.”
“Good. I am glad that you made that decision. You are now free to be you, flower, no more worrying about a person from your past who does not warrant the worry.”
“Yup.”
