Page 26 of Lotus

Her voice brings my eyes back up. “I’m okay. Still a little shaken, but I’ll survive. The cops searched my house this morning, but I was kind of freaked to go inside alone, so I dropped off my cat and waited it out here…” Sydney wraps her arms around herself, as if the thought sends a chill right through her. She fixes her gaze on me, her features etched with something soft and kind. “Oliver.”

It’s a simple greeting, but it sounds like more. I swallow. “Hello.”

We hold our stare for a few powerful seconds before Gabe paces forward and picks Sydney up, squeezing her until she shrieks. It’s a playful sound, light and cheery, and I wonder what it’s like to feel so weightless and carefree, even for just a moment.

A pang of envy shoots through me. It’s not a sentiment I’m familiar with, so I push it aside.

As I step closer, I notice purple bruising along Sydney’s left cheek, as well as a healing wound marred into her bottom lip. That knot of dread reappears in my belly.

Sydney whispers something into Gabe’s ear and he nods, backing away and allowing her to approach me. Her hands are clasped together in front of her, and she looks to be wrought with nerves, much like myself. She bites her lip before voicing her request. “Would you mind going inside with me?”

My eyes shift from Sydney to my brother, thinking he is far better suited for the task. But Gabe bobs his chin, a silent encouragement, so I return my attention to Sydney and give her a reluctant acquiescence. “All right.” It appears she’s about to reach for my hand, but she stops herself, and I’m uncertain if I’m grateful or disappointed.

Instead, she slips her fingertips into her back pockets and dips her head to her house—an invitation to follow. We walk wordless through her yard, side-by-side, her sweet scent drifting over to me. I haven’t been able to pinpoint it, exactly, but I think she smells of spring… the fragrant, floral blooms I inhale when I sit outside and watch the birds.

Sydney glances up at me through long lashes, her eyeglasses missing today. A bruise travels up along the side of her face, almost touching her temple. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing three small, silvery hoop earrings. “I, um, wanted to thank you for what you did that night. I can’t imagine what would have happened if you hadn’t…” She looks down at her swiftly moving feet as we approach the front door. “That took a lot of courage.”

“You were still injured. I regret that I wasn’t quicker.”

My confession causes her to jerk her head up, eyes sharp and slanted, hand pausing as it reaches for the doorknob. “You saved my life, Oliver. I’ll take a busted lip over a funeral.”

Unsure of how to respond to that, I remain quiet as we finally enter through her doorway. A feline greets us in the foyer, meowing with enthusiasm.

“This is Alexis. I let her inside when my sister dropped me off, but she has no concept of time,” Sydney chuckles, scooping up the feline and stroking its rust orange fur.

I wish I could relate to that—no concept of time.

Time was all I knew, and it was my greatest enemy.

“Do you want to pet her?”

“Oh…” My tongue pokes out to slick my lips as step closer to the animal, intrigued by the virile creature. “I would, if that’s all right.”

Sydney smiles, and this time it’s bright and familiar, forcing my heart to skip. “Of course. She likes people. I’ve had her for ten years, since she was just a tiny kitten.”

My fingers lace through the soft, silky hair, and I feel the vibrations from her purrs warm my skin. It’s soothing. Before I know it, the feline is climbing out of Sydney’s arms and into mine, her claws piercing through the material of my button-down shirt.

“Shit, sorry.” Sydney’s cheeks are still stretched into a wide grin as she pries the little paws from the fabric. “Like I said, she’s a people lover.”

I stand there with an awkward stature, my arms stiff around the animal while it makes itself comfortable. Sydney steps in closer, a giggle slipping out when she repositions the cat in my embrace. Her hand brushes against mine, her body only inches away, and I feel tingles dance across my flesh in response to her proximity. A strange, yet compelling feeling.

Our eyes meet with a lingering hold, and Sydney says, “She really likes you.”

My lips pull up into a small smile, an instinctual reaction to her statement.

I am liked.

Sydney releases a quick gasp of air, the indigo glow of her eyes intensifying with wonder. “I don’t think I’ve seen you do that before,” she murmurs softly, still standing impossibly close.

I clear my throat. “You’re correct. This is the first time I’ve held a feline.”

She blinks, a sharp laugh following. “Not that. I meant…smile. I don’t think I’ve seen you smile yet. Not since we were kids.”

I suppose she’s right. I can’t recall the last time I smiled.

Perhaps it was when I readThe Catcher in the Rye.

Sydney eventually steps away, that same look of whimsy bathing me in blue. “I’m going to run to the bathroom. If you hear me screaming, it’s either the murderer or a spider. Both will require immediate action.” A wink travels over to me, indicating she’s making a jest. “And I promise I’ll stay away from lamps.”

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