Page 196 of A Love Like Venom

She regards me carefully. “Alice, it’s best for all of us to not assume the worst.”

I mumble, “Easier said than done.”

Raising my chin up she looks me in the eyes. Her chocolate brown full of strength and hope. Everything that mine aren’t carrying. “Chin up. You need to keep that head of yours high.”

“But have you ever had this gut feeling?”

Nodding she replies, “An instinct that has never proved me wrong.”

“Then can you honestly tell me that you aren’t experiencing that instinct? That something in your gut is telling you something isn’t wrong?” Her face goes blank and she doesn’t answer me right away. “Exactly my point,” I answer for her.

Glancing back down at my phone there is still nothing from him.

“Worrying isn’t going to help.”

“No it’s not,” I agree with her but continue, “but what else am I supposed to do? Tell me and I’ll do it.”

Placing her hand on my bicep she looks me steady in the eyes. “What you are going to do is remain strong. And I know you are capable of that, Alice. Look at all that you have been through and you are still standing.”

“But if I lose him-”

Her grip on my bicep grows stronger. Trying to bring me back from the dark thoughts. “You will not lose him,” vehemently she says. “None of us are going to lose him. That is not an option.”

I nod my head but my eyes betray me. They’re windows to my soul. Showing all my fears and doubt.

“You’re the light that boy desperately needs, Alice. Don’t burn out on him now.”

My eyes go wide as they search hers. At a loss for words I try to speak, “How did . . ?”

Warmly she smiles at me. “I have ears, honey. But you two are the perfect balance. A man of darkness with a woman filled with light. He’s the black sky but you are the stars. And together you create a beautiful image. But if his stars burn out, if they burst then what purpose does the night sky have?”

And it’s like she is speaking directly to my soul. I swallow back the rush of emotions and nod my head at her with watery eyes. Quickly I blink them away and stand a little taller. Pushing my shoulders back I look at her again with hope.

She winks. “That’s my girl.” Then she places a kiss to my cheek as a mother would do to their daughter. Affection and assurance I was denied from my own. Inside my heart swells. “Now help me clean the bar. Let’s put those new found muscles of yours to use.”

A small smile plays on my lips. Throwing a rag at me I catch it mid air. And despite the easy task it does bring a sense of normalcy, familiarity. As I’m helping her clean the bar an easy flow of conversation happens between us. If you saw us for the first time it would be hard to believe that we have only known each other for almost three weeks. But with Rosa it is undeniably easy to connect with her. She is tough in spirit yet has a kind heart. And she cares. My god does she care for the people she loves. I am beyond honored that I am included.

Rosa has a certain way of making you feel like family. Like you always belonged to be here.

Living with my mother and sister I never once felt like I belonged, yet here I do.

We are almost finished cleaning when Sticks waltzes in the main area. Once he catches eyes with Rosa you can feel the simmer between them. Sometimes I feel like an intruder. They are so blatantly affectionate. So obviously head over heels in love with each other. Their eyes hide nothing.

Love is such a beautiful thing to witness.

“The way you are gazing at him I’m wondering if I should leave you two be.” I nudge her with my hip with a sly grin.

She dismisses me with her hand. “Oh, shush.”

“I’m just saying.”

“As if you have any room at all to talk. When you and Snake look at one another it’s like magic.”

My cheeks begin to turn red. “Magic?”

“Yes, magic,” she repeats. “But sexy magic.”

At that I can’t help but chuckle.“Sexy magic?”I hold my hand over my mouth as I laugh some more.

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