Page 14 of Marked By the Broken Orc
The words hit me like a physical blow. She’s not giving up. She’s just…waiting. Being patient while I work through whatever’s holding me back.
The problem is, I’m not sure I want to work through it.
Over the next few days,Mia proves true to her word. The texts continue as if nothing happened. She doesn’t bring up the dinner invitation again, doesn’t push for anything beyond the friendship I said I wanted.
But I notice the subtle campaign she’s waging. Comments about restaurants she’d like to try, movies she wants to see, events happening around town. She’s not asking me to joinher, but she’s planting seeds, making it clear that the invitation stands if I change my mind.
She sends a text on Thursday night.
There’s a food truck festival this weekend in Riverfront Park. I love trying out new types of dishes.
Sounds like fun.
The weather’s supposed to be perfect. Nothing better than eating outside in the crisp fall air, when it’s still sunny, before it gets too cold.
True.
Maybe I’ll check it out Saturday after my shift.
She doesn’t invite me. Doesn’t even suggest I might want to come. But the opening is there if I want to take it.
I don’t.
I send my own text on Friday night.
Had to stay late for a difficult rescue today. Elderly woman trapped in her basement after a shelf fell.
Oh no! Is she okay?
Bruised ribs, but she’ll recover. I was able to quickly move the shelving unit safely.
I bet she was grateful such a strong orc was there to perform that rescue.
Just doing the job.
The job you’re apparently very good at. The crew is lucky to have you.
Her confidence in my abilities means more than it should.
How do you know I’m good at it?
Because you care. And because you wouldn’t have gotten the position if you weren’t qualified.
Even though I took the job you wanted?
Especially because of that. You earned it fair and square.
Her generosity humbles me. She could be bitter, resentful. Instead, she’s supportive of my success even at her own expense.
You’re a good human, Mia.
She leaves a laughing emoji.
You’re literally the only person in town who thinks that way. Warning you that most people think I’m mean and impossible to get along with. But I guess you bring out my good side? And I think that way about you too. I think you’re a good orc too, Kavin. I’m a person who knows quality when I see it.
There it is again, that subtle reminder that she sees something worthwhile in me, something worth pursuing despite my resistance.
I’m becoming emotionally invested despite every wall I’ve built, despite every vow I’ve made to avoid exactly this situation. She’s breaking past my defenses with patience and persistence, proving day after day that she’s nothing like the human female who destroyed my father and left me behind without a second glance.
