Page 162 of Fangs
“If you want one.” He frowned, his eyes suddenly uncertain.
I remembered him sitting next to my bed in Nemo’s spare room and reading a book about greenhouses; I wanted to ask him if he’d decided to build one before or after that moment, but I wasn’t brave enough.
“I’d love a greenhouse,” I choked out.
“Why are you blocking me?” he asked in a low voice, stepping sideways like he was shielding me from the others.
I blinked. I wasn’t trying to block him, just trying to keep from bursting into tears. “I’m blocking you?”
He nodded, and I tried to relax my grip on myself. Immediately, tears started sliding down my face, and I huffed in frustration. His eyes widened.
“Why are you crying?” His voice grew more worried.
“I’m not,” I tried to protest, tears sliding down my face.
His eyebrows raised, but one corner of his mouth lifted.
“I’m not… I’m notsad,” I fumbled to explain. “I don’t know why I’m cryin’.”
Emotion filled his eyes. “Happy tears?”
“Is that a thing?” I swiped at my face, desperately trying to stop.
“Yeah,” he murmured. “Yeah, it’s a thing.”
“What’d Mac do now?” Sam asked with a grin, appearing beside Mac.
He was already in his tactical gear and looked happier than I’d seen him in a long time.
“He’s buildin’ me a greenhouse,” I said, still trying to wrap my head around it.
“You meanwe’rebuilding you a greenhouse,” Sam scowled, crossing his arms. “I refuse to let Mac get all the credit.”
I let out a watery laugh, and Sam threw his arm around my shoulders, pulling me up the hill.
“C’mon, I’ll show you what we’re planning.”
They left a couple hours later. I made Sam promise to be careful so many times that by the end, he shouted, “Okay, Mom!” After the gate closed behind them, I didn’t move, trying to convince myself I wasn’t on the edge of panicking.
“Ember?’
I glanced up to see Nemo. He offered me a smile that I attempted to return.
“We’ve been working on turning the Pit into a nice space for folks to hang out, and it’s finally finished. So I was thinkin’ we could have the first bonfire tonight after supper. I hope you’ll consider joining us.”
“Oh, um, I’ll think about it,” I responded, and he smiled and moved on to tell the others.
“A party, huh?” Lee appeared at my side and draped his arm around my shoulders.
“I guess,” I said, slightly distantly.
“What, you don’t like parties?” he teased.
“I’ve never been to one.”
“Well, it’s settled; you’re comin’ tonight.”
I raised my eyebrows and finally focused on him. He was grinning widely.
