Page 167 of Finding the Forward: Part One
Are you doing okay? I’m here at the training center if you need a hug.
While part of me was excited for a break, part of me longed to stay here. With them. So we could have time off together. Watch movies on the couch. Bake cookies. Snuggle. Sing around the piano while Grif played. I wastired.
Me
Having breakfast with Mercy.
I sent a picture of my food.My ass still stung. But I understood why Jonas got angry.
But now I wanted Jonas as much as I did Dean and Grif.
Jonas
That looks delicious. I’m here if you need me. I care about you.
Me
I care about you, too.
Jonas
Be safe on your trip. See you when you get back, Sweet Girl.
Me
Thanks. I’ll miss you. Don’t have too much fun while I’m gone.
My heart fluttered, both at theI care about youand theSweet Girl.
Their holiday plans sounded downright chaotic, with multiple trips to Boston to see Dean and Grif’s families, and a visit to AJ’s sister’s farm.
The restaurant bustled with activity. Most schools were on winter break, and people were traveling for the holidays. This would be a cute place to bring out-of-town guests.
Mercy peered at me over her cup of hot chocolate. “Are you okay?”
“Just tired.” The Maimers’ holiday party was fun. They set up sniper stations so I could stay up high in a corner and participate without running around.
“I didn’t realize something had happened with your research, and that’s why you were taking an afternoon off. I figured Dr. Winters made you since it’s winter break. Now I feel bad, but I needed to do my shopping.” Mercy frowned into her waffles.
I drank my coffee since this place didn’t have chai lattes. “It’s fine. You want to be with your friends. I got a date with Dean.”
“I didn’t know you’d madeplans. If I’d known, I could've rearranged things.” Her brow furrowed as worry wafted off her.
A couple of young teenagers kept glancing over at us. Mercy being a teen rookie had been something her agent had capitalized on. There had been a lot of press coverage of her in teen-centric media. She was even on an episode of a teen game show where she ended up covered in glitter.
“We can always go there another time. It’s fine to want to do things with your friends.” I took a bite of eggs.
“I’dloveto get fancy pedicures with you. It’s just that this time...” Mercy bent down to rummage in her bag.
“It’s fine, Mercy.” I took a sip of coffee.
“This is for you.” Mercy put a beautifully wrapped gift next to my plate. “I had to go get it in person, otherwise it wouldn’t be here in time. We even paid Kaiko’s cousin to get in line for us, so we wouldn’t be late for the party. Of course, I could’ve had it shipped to Grace’s, but that would mean thinking ahead. We both know how good I am at that. Anyhow, I’m here for you,and had I known you had a research emergency, I would’ve had Kaiko get it and gone with you. Because you’re important.”
Mercy added two matching packages to the table. Aww.
“Oh, Mercy, you don’t need to get me presents. It’s okay. These are beautiful. Did you wrap these?” I held up the palm-sized pink package with the shimmery bow.
“Shit, no. Kaiko’s aunt wrapped them for me. Anyhow,” her look turned anxious. “I hope you like them.”
