AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Yaya releases my neck, but I keep a hold of her hand. I promised I wouldn’t initiate the touching, but since she initiated this one first, I’m not letting go. She doesn’t seem uncomfortable with the handholding at all as she graces Lucy with another bright smile.
My sister, sans-makeup, looks unusually pale. She points. “Is this your…” At my chin-dip, Lucy pounces on Yaya. “Oh my goodness. You’re sobeautiful!”
Yaya maintains her smile, nodding along as if she hears every word. I wonder how often she has to bluff her way through conversations. Has she ever found herself agreeing to things just because she wants the conversation to end?
Thankfully, Mosely—drawn by the sound of Lucy’s voice—rushes into the hallway with our interpreters in tow.
My sister draws both of Yaya’s hands into her own—earning a dark look from me. How dare Lucy steal that precious hand?
Pulling Yaya’s fists up to her chin, she coos, “You must be an actress. Oh! Or a model. Are you a model? Is she a model, Dare?”
“Geez, Luce. Take a breath,” I mutter, still annoyed about her hand thievery.
“Oh shoo!” Lucy bats me away when I try to steal Yaya’s hand back. “She looks younger than you. Much younger, Dare.”
“Really? I didn’t notice.”
“How scandalous.” Lucy flaps eyelashes that were at least two times thicker last night. “You’re so stodgy. I didn’t think you were capable.”
I’m still deciding whether to be offended by that when Yaya slips her hand out of Lucy’s.
My sister’s jaw drops when Yaya signs to her.
Jenny moves forward. “Sorry. I was standing behind, so I didn’t see that.” She signs to Yaya. “Can you repeat?”
Lucy clutches the top of her robe. “D-Dare,” she whispers loudly, “what’s going on?”
“Luce, I’d like to formally introduce you to my girlfriend Yaya.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Jenny interprets, her tight, uncomfortable smile the complete opposite of Yaya’s confident smirk.
Yaya hands my sister the bouquet we stopped to purchase earlier. I’d handed it to Mosely for safekeeping when we left the car.
“T-thank you.” Lucy’s head swivels between Yaya and the interpreter. “I’m sorry. Who am I to address?”
“You look at Yaya. Or wherever you would normally look when you’re speaking to someone. Just act normally, Luce. Jenny is Yaya’s interpreter.”
Yaya signs.
Jenny interprets, “Mr. Sullivan has mentioned nothing but good things about you.”
“Oh, well…” Lucy stammers. “That’s a lie if I’ve ever heard one.”
A nurse pushes a tray along the hallway and bucks into our group. She watches us like we’re re-enacting the season finale of her favorite reality TV show.
“Luce, how about you show us your room?” I suggest.
“Yes, yes.” My sister gulps.
I spread my arm, encompassing Yaya into my side so we can walk together. She’s a little stiff and I’m not sure if it’s because she’s uncomfortable acting like a couple or if she’s offended by Lucy’s reaction.
I wish I could ask her if she’s okay, but I doubt I’d be able to whip out my phone right now. My sister would extend her neck and read every word.
“Right this way.” Lucy ushers us into a room that’s the size of a penthouse suite with a richly decorated salon. She motions to me. “Dare, can you help me select the tea? I don’t know which Yaya would like.”
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Yaya.
Jenny interprets for me and I wait for my new—I’m somehow reluctant to think of her as fake—girlfriend to nod.
