Page 113 of Ordinary Secrets

“Told her what?”

Liz scoffs with aduhtone. “That you’re in love with her.”

“Considering how I only admitted it to myself for the first time just now, no.”

“Do you know if she feels the same?”

“I can’t sense her, so I dunno.” I’m still trying to process the idea that I’m in love with someone. The concept that someone might feel the same for me is even harder to swallow.

“Seriously, T? You rely on your Empath power way too much. You need to tell her.”

“How?”

“I dunno. Just tell her.”

Admitting that I’m in love with Arella is one thing. Now I have to tell her, too?Since when was that a rule?“What will that accomplish?”

“I dunno. I just think it’s important for you to verbalize this to her.”

“Okay, then what?”

“Then, well... that’s where it gets difficult, doesn’t it? It’s not like the Superiors are gonna allow you to have this relationship just ’cause you’re in love. They’ll still lock you up if they find out. In court, they’ll ask you about intent to determine if they should put you behind bars or in an asylum.

“In your case, I’ma guess the asylum. The second you tell ’em you felt the glimmer with an Ordinary, it’ll be case closed.Bam!Next thing you know, you’re sitting in a room with a bunch of weirdos who eat their own toenails and?—”

“Liz.”

“Oh, sorry. I’m not helping, am I?”

Not a fucking bit.“Not really . . .”

“Okay, how ’bout I stop over at the hospital? Would that help?”

“Yes, actually. If they discharge Arella tonight, could you drive her to my place? I rode the bike here.”

“Sure. Text me the address. I’ll come now.”

Almost an hour later, Liz strolls through the sliding glass doors with a brown paper bag.

“What’s that?” I ask as my chest tingles.

“Tacos!” She beams. “Grabbed some on the way over. I figured you probably hadn’t eaten yet.”

My belly rumbles from the delicious scent of food wafting from the bag. I don’t know what to say. This woman never stops wowing me. I heave her in by the shoulder and snake my arms around her. Then I squeeze her as hard as I can. Her warmth washes away a bit of the stress I’ve been carrying.

Liz coughs. “Stop, T. I’m gonna drop these tacos if you keep suffocating me.”

I release her. “Sorry. I’m just so fucking grateful for you.”

“As you should be. No one else would ever put up with your shit.” She leans into me and lowers her voice. “I mean, seriously, any other Zordi would be calling to get you into rehab right now. Your obsession with Ari is still a little wacky to me, but I trust that you, of all people, know that your feelings for her are real.”

“They are,” I say with full conviction. “Speaking of other Zordis, her doctor is one.”

Liz clasps a gloved hand to her mouth. “Oh no. Does he know you’re dating Ari?”

I shrug.

“Do you think he’s gonna call the Supes?”

---