Page 117 of Meet Me in the Valley
I grip the edge of the sink, steadying myself as a wave of nausea rolls through me. A mix of nerves and anticipation twists in my gut as I stare into the mirror in the women’s locker room.
Even after a quick shower, sweat still clings to my skin. My head snaps toward the door at the sound of faint laughter—Professor Silva and Nora.
She’s here.
After what felt like a Herculean effort to bring her home from Vegas … she’sreallyhere.
I grab my bag and push out of the locker room before I chicken out.
This is what I wanted. Now that she’s here, I have no idea what the hell I’m supposed to do.
Across the mat, Lucas and Professor Silva keep her company. I walk toward them, shoulders back, head high.
No room to fall apart now. Be strong.
“Ai, meu Deus, Nora,”Professor Silva beams. “It is a pleasure to see you again. Maybe one of these days, you will come roll for old time’s sake. I always told your mama and papa to let you train more.”
“Well, if she’s anything like her sister,” Lucas adds with a grin, “I don’t know if we could handle that, Unc. Two beautiful women who can kick any man’s ass? Lethal combo.”
He winks at me, and I blush. I hope it passes as leftover post-workout heat and not from his shameless flirting.
Nora gives a polite smile and steps forward to hug Professor Silva. “I think I’ll stick to dancing, Professor. But it’s really great to see you again.” Then she turns to Lucas, offering her hand. “And nice to meet you, Lucas.”
“Likewise,” he replies, though his sharp green eyes flick right back to me.
Nora notices the way I stiffen. Without a word, she loops her arm through mine like no time has passed. Like she didn’t scream at me to get the hell out of her house just weeks ago.
My body tenses at first, but softens when she pats my arm—calm, quietly saying, “It’s okay.”
We’re halfway to the exit when Lucas calls out, “Tia?”
I glance at Nora. She lifts an eyebrow, knowing. Of course she knows. It’s like our sister bond relinks, and we’re back to sharing one brain the way we did growing up.
I turn as Lucas jogs toward us, flashing that same charming grin.
He’s cute, but it’s not the crooked grin I’ve been missing.
“Maybe not today,” he says, slowing in front of me, “but I’d love to take you to dinner tomorrow. If you’re free?”
His gi is off now, his muscles pulling tight against a compression shirt. Nora arches a brow again, and I bite my lip. We stand there in front of Lucas for a silent beat. It’s as if I can hear Nora’s thoughts, and she can hear mine. I let the warmth from that settle in my chest, somehow feeling more peace than I have in weeks with my sister close.
And before I can answer to Lucas, Nora speaks for me.
“Sorry, Lucas.” Her eyes flick to mine, then back to him. “Tia’s spoken for.”
Lucas blinks, then smiles good-naturedly. “Fair enough. You ladies have a great day.”
As we walk away, Nora still tucked into my arm, she doesn’t say a word. She just shoots me a sideways glance and quirks the corner of her mouth.
I smirk back.
For the first time in a long time, we’re in sync again.
And it feels good.
“Is it okay if I call you Auntie T? Or Aunt Tia? Auntie Tia? TT? Which one do you like better? Also, the hotel we’re staying at is so awesome! Actually, Mom says it’s a bed-and-breakfast and that your best friend owns it. What’s her name? Also, do they bring you breakfast in bed? Is that why it’s called a bed-and-breakfast? They could’ve come up with something a lot cooler. Like … I don’t know what, but anything is better than bed-and-breakfast. You know?” Cali rambles off between bites of a burger that’s almost the size of her head.
I blink, amazed that this tiny human is inhaling a double cheeseburger, vanilla milkshake, and fries like her stomach is a black hole. And double amazed she can get so many words out in one breath.
