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“You miss her?”
“She was my security blanket for a long time. My stand-in mother, really. But when we went to live with my adoptive parents, I let go of her a little. I knew she needed to just be a teenager. She couldn’t be responsible for me.”
“She was okay with that?”
“Yeah. I think she was happy.”
“Delilah and I didn’t have this kind of relationship. We didn’t talk much.” Admitting that to her felt right.
Remi looked over at me. “I can see that. You’re locked up tight.”
“Not with you. Being around you is easy.” Each time I was with her, the knot in my stomach unfurled a little more.
She stood and held her hand out to me. “You want to keep walking?”
I rose and interlaced her fingers with mine.
“You feel more relaxed?”
Our joined hands swayed as we walked. “I do.”
“Was it the yoga?”
I think it might have been Remi, but I couldn’t admit that out loud. “Yeah.”
She squeezed, clasping our hands together. “I knew it.”
“Don’t get too excited. I’m sure I’ll be back to my usual uptight self any minute.”
She groaned. “That’s true. But I like you like this, all open and talkative.”
I liked connecting with Remi. Would she be receptive to hearing about my past? The old guilt crept in, and I pushed it back. She wouldn’t think so highly of me if she knew my history. Remi was a victim of her past, not a negligent participant like I’d been.
Remi skipped a little to walk in front of me, still holding my hand. “Want to grab something to eat?”
I knew I didn’t want this day to end. “Why not? I’m starving.”
She moved closer to me, laying her free hand on my shoulder. It felt like we were here together.
“You bring one of your famous juices?” I asked as we made our way through the property and back to my truck.
Her face lit up, and she pulled two bottles out of her bag. “My favorite post-workout elixir.”
“Can I have one?”
She beamed brighter, handing it to me.
“Pineapple, huh?”
“It’s good. You’ll like it.” Her tone was filled with pride.
Untwisting the cap, I tentatively sipped the sweet juice. “It’s good.”
“You really like it? You’re not just being nice?”
“Have you known me to lie about anything? To pretend I like something I don’t?”
She shook her head, smiling. “Definitely not.”
