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She laughs softly, humorlessly. “You don’t have to do that, you know.”
I stiffen. “Do what?”
“Lie to me,” she responds.
“I’m not lying, Lil. I—” I begin.
Again she sits up, then places a hand on my thigh. The contact of her warm hand so close to other sensitive areas does strange things to my body—which I promptly work to tamp down.
I place my hand over hers, then stand up, pulling her along with me. I need to put a little space between us—and give my body a second to settle. It’s not something she needs to concern herself with, that’s for sure.
“Where are we going?” she asks, surprised by our sudden movements.
I turn back to her, grinning. “Come on.”
We walk into the open field beyond the picnic pavilion. When I’m sure we’ll have a good view, I sit down on the grass.
She lets out that soft squeal I love so much as I gently tug her hand so she’ll join me.
“Lie back,” I command, as I do the same, propping my head in my left hand.
She hesitates slightly, shooting me a sidelong glance, but she lies down to my right. The sun has set and the sky is darkening. Still, the first star hasn’t made its appearance yet.
Good.
This was always her favorite time of the day.
We lay there for a few minutes, as a comfortable silence passes between us. The energy has shifted slightly, perhaps because of this location—perhaps because of the impending night.
I weigh my options for how to proceed, not wanting to mess anything up.
Do I take her to her sister’s house? Tasia’s? I could drive her somewhere that won’t remind her of what she’s lost.
Then again, Angie and Tasia will want to ask questions and if I know Lily, she won’t be ready for that. At least, not yet.
Do I take her to my place? We could watch a movie or she could just sleep somewhere that doesn’t remind her of her marriage …
“I forgot how beautiful this is …” she breaths, pulling me from my internal questioning.
The shadows of night creep closer to us when I turn to look at her. There’s a slight smile gracing her lips as her eyes are fixed to the sky. I follow her gaze and realize not only did I miss the approach of the first star, but five of them.
“It’s been years since I did this,” she admits quietly.
My eyebrows tug in. “Why?”
I feel her shrug beside me. “I just …couldn’t.”
Pieces of my heart clench as if it had been slowly pulling itself back together. But that confession—I’m not sure what to make of it.
“I don’t mean to sound like a toddler repeating myself, Lily, but …Why?” I press. Part of me is hopeful—wanting the reason to be me. But that would be presumptuous.
She raises an arm and points. “Shooting star.”
I follow her finger and watch the star fade behind the treeline. A smile floats to my lips. “Make a wish.”
“I already have,” she whispers. She tilts her head, glancing in my direction. While the tears still cling to her lashes, there’s a tiny fleck of something else in her eyes … Something real, and raw, and maybe just a little bit hopeful, too.
I know better than to ask her what she wished for. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to know.
