Page 29 of David

Grinning smugly, I stay quiet.

“You’re such a princess,” she says, shifting toward me, clasping her hand on her hip, and leaning into the counter. “When did you become such a princess?”

I don’t have time to come up with an answer when the sound of a car slowing down and pulling into our driveway makes us both look in that direction.

“Are we having guests for dinner?” I ask.

“No,” my mother says, moving to the window.

I follow her closely when the car we don’t recognize comes to a full stop.

The back passenger side door opens, and a woman pushes out, holding a garment bag.

“Oh, my. Thea…” I say, spinning around, not knowing where to run.

“What is wrong with you?” my mother chides me.

“I’m in my room,” I say, rushing to my bedroom.

Moments later, I walk in, jerk to a stop, and take a few deep breaths, trying to calm my mind.

I haven’t seen Thea in weeks. She was busy. And I wasn’t that busy, but I pretended to be.

She must be here for me.

Definitely for me.

They chat in the living room briefly before their voices trail to my bedroom.

Terry pushes the door open like we didn’t just talk moments ago and steps to the side, inviting Thea in.

For a second, my eyes go wide.

I never thought a few weeks in someone’s life could trigger such a change.

A smile clings to her lips, her eyes sparkling when they meet mine.

“Liz…” she says, setting the garment bag on the bed and opening her arms.

I do the same and hug her.

She smells like oranges and roses, and when we tear away from each other, I can’t help but run my eyes over her.

She looks different, and I have a hard time saying in what way. She wears navy cigarette pants, flats, a white tank top, and a short pink jacket.

She barely wears any makeup, and she looks flawless.

Her face is glowing, and her eyes are alive while peacefulness and calmness roll over her.

I’ve never seen her so happy.

“What?” she asks, aware I’m gawking at her.

“Nothing. You did something to your hair?”

A quiet laugh falls from her lips.

“I brushed it in a rush before coming here. Why?”

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