Falling With Grace

“Then I’d never leave my home.”

He closed the door, rounded the front of the car, and dropped into the driver’s seat.

“I didn’t know you drove.”

Elias chuckled. “I do on rare occasions.”

“So, is this a rare occasion? What is so special about today?”

He put the car in drive, and I snagged my seatbelt, locking it into place.

“I didn’t say it was.”

My stomach fell.

It’s special to me.

My first timeout in weeks…and with Elias by my side.

“That’s not how that was supposed to sound.” His hand gripped mine and squeezed as we zoomed down the roads. “It’s just lunch, and I wanted to drive.”

I winced.

“I’m messing this up.”

“You don’t have to explain.” I laid my hand over his. “I’m nervous. I haven’t been around anyone for weeks now, and I didn’t have such a great experience the last time.”

“Don’t be nervous. You’ll be fine.” His hand slipped over my thigh, his silver watch shining in the sun. I gripped it with two fingers, tipped it up and down, and studied the watch face.

“This looks expensive.”

“It is.”

I removed my hand as though I’d tainted it.

“Does that make you uncomfortable?”

“No.” I shook my head. “Why should I be uncomfortable with your success?”

“Some people are.”

“I’m not some people. There are more important things to find offense over in this world.”

“You’re a rare breed.”

“Thank you…” I snorted. “I think.”

“It was a compliment.”

I gave a wry smile. “When you lose everything, you find it petty to be upset over the small things.”

Elias veered into a turn-off beside a colossal building adorned with glass walls. Potted green foliage embellished the entrance and adorned the walls. A see-through veranda, entwined with vines, covered the entrance, creating a canopy of forestry that blocked the sun, reminiscent of strolling into the Brazilian rainforest without the hair-frizzing humidity.

“This place looks expensive.”

“Grace, just enjoy yourself.”

My stomach swirledwith an inevitable doom as he put the vehicle in park and stepped out. A valet opened my door.