Falling With Grace

The only sanctuary I’d known.

He peeked his head in and frowned. “What are you doing?”

“Sitting.”

“Like a robot?”

“I need to think.” About anything else but them and Elias… “And I’m not allowed to swim.”

“I didn’t know you could. Isn’t that why he had to rescue you?”

“He didn’t rescue me.” My shoulders sagged. “I can swim just fine.”

“Then use the pool.”

I tossed my hands into the air. “He told me no.”

“Ah…” He stepped into the room. “Well, then in that case… use the pool.”

“Don’t be nice to me now. It wouldn’t be authentic.”

“I’m not.” He stepped inside. “It’s guaranteed to get you yelled at.”

I sighed, suppressing another laugh.

Why is it that when you’re sad, you refuse to see happiness? It’s as though your mind and body reject the premise of it.

“If you’re coming to get me for dinner, I’m not hungry.”

The hungerpangs dissolved into the cacophony in my mind the moment my toes hit the hot water.

“He doesn’t care.” He shrugged. “Come down, or he’ll see to it personally.” He gave a subtle shake. “You don’t want that embarrassment.”

I grumbled, my teeth grinding together as I glanced down at the chemise covering my breasts, the weight of the towel on my head like two stones. “I’m not even ready.”

“I’ll give you five minutes to change.” He raised a brow and cocked his head toward the closet. “We’ll be in the formal dining room.”

I studied his frame. A gray t-shirt hiding black tattoos that disappeared beneath his sleeves, each with various religious inscriptions and images, and a pair of jeans.

“Do I dress comfortably like you?”

He shrugged.

I blew out a heavy breath and stood, yanking the towel off my hair and tossing it to the bed. My crimped hair fell into my face as I drew clothes out of the closet, finding the ugliest shirt and baggiest jeans.

“Really?”

“Look away or leave.”

“I’ll be right by the door.” He pulled out his phone, tapped the screen, and showed me the counting clock. “When the timer goes off, that’s how you’ll go downstairs.”

“And here I was thinking you were understanding.” I frowned.

Javier laughed with a crooked smile. “I can understand and not care at the same time.”

I scowled as he closed the door, then discarded the chemise with a snug white shirt. The white sweats hugged my hips yet pooled at my healed bare feet, and the large tan cardigan hung down to my calves.

Lazy-chic.