Page 199 of Time Stops With You

“You might want to wash your face with cold water before you go back to work,” Sunny advises.

“I can’t believe I cried like this during lunch.” I rub my forehead self-consciously. “My co-workers were already tiptoeing around me. They’ll know for sure something’s wrong if I walk back in with puffy eyes.”

“I’m sorry,” Sunny says with a frown.

“For what?”

“I’m the one who should have been more thoughtful and not bothered you at work.”

I shake my head. “No, I’m glad you came. I needed to cry, but it felt like I couldn’t in front of my mom and Josiah.”

“Why not? They’re your family.”

“Yes, but they also rely on me a lot.” I shrug. “I’m not complaining about it. I love that I can help and be there for them. But I also… I don’t want them to worry that I can’t be the foundation they need me to be.”

“You’re not a foundation, Nardi. You’re human. Whatever support, love and care you want your family to have, they probably want you to have it too. In fact, they probably want tobethat for you.” She smiles. “There’s nothing wrong with being strong and independent, but we weren’t made to be an island.”

Sunny wipes her hands on her skirt and then leans her elbows back on the step above us. She looks ready to film for a photoshoot and I envy her natural grace.

Pocketing the used tissues, I ask, “How was the party?”

“It went well. We always have a great time when we get together.” She nudges me with her shoulder. “You should come next time.”

“I don’t know…” I hedge.

“It’s alright. I’m not going to pressure you if it’s too soon. The offer’s there whenever you’re ready.”

I nod.

She gets up and offers me a hand.

I take it and stand on shaky legs.

“You okay?” Sunny asks when I stumble.

“Yeah.” I smile sadly. “My head’s just a bit woozy. It’s been a while since I cried like that.”

She studies me and I can tell she wants to ask when the last time I cried was, but she smiles and says instead, “As promised,I didn’t talk about He Who Shall Not Be Named. I hope you took note of that. I held up my end of the bargain.”

I snort out a laugh.

Sunny checks her watch. “I don’t think you can make it to the café before your lunch break ends, but maybe we can grab something quick at the cafeteria downstairs?”

“Sounds good to me,” I agree.

Sunny and I get back on the elevator where we chat about her mother’s party, our shared memories of Belize, and her family’s annual vacation back to the Caribbean.

She really is a fun person to be around and I end up laughing as hard as I’d been crying.

Thanks to her, I return to work with a bit of the weight on my chest removed.

Mom volunteers to get Josiah from school, so I stay back late at work to catch up on some files.

By the time I make the drive back to the apartment, night has fallen and the stars are out in full force.

I park at my usual spot, grab my purse and walk past the front of the building. Unable to help myself, I peep at Cullen Tech’s front door and something strange catches my eye.

It’s a sign with three words in big, block letters.

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