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Nolan runs his hands through his tawny hair. “I just… I’m used to being there for everyone. People think of me as dependable, reliable. Someone they can always call for help.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad,” I say. It doesn’t sound bad, but I can tell from Nolan’s expression that he’s not really pleased.
“It shouldn’t be bad. But it’s just…” He sighs. It’s a big sigh.
Patiently, I wait for him to explain.
“I’m not sure why I’m telling you this, but here goes. I’m happy that people like me. But sometimes I wonder if they even know me. Or, if they just know that I’ll be there for them, when they need me. I want someone to be there for me, too,” Nolan finally finishes.
Oh.Oh.
I touch his arm. “I can be there for you. If you need me.”
Nolan studies my face for another second before giving a slow, steady nod. “I think I’d like that.”
“I think I’d like it, too.” I smile.
“So. Are you ready to show me what grew in the garden today?”
My smile spreads across my face. “Absolutely.”
After showingNolan how far the pumpkins have come from yesterday, I direct him to the greenhouse. I want him to see what I’ve been doing in one corner, just for fun. I think he’s going to like it.
“Close your eyes,” I say, tugging on his hand.
“They’re closed. Should I be worried?”
“I don’t think so.” I pause. It’s not a lie, but maybe I should warn him. “I’ve been working on something, and I think you’re going to like it.”
“I’m sure I will, Coral,” he rumbles. I like it when his voice rumbles like that.
When we get into the greenhouse, I put my hands on his shoulders, turning him so that he’s pointed toward the project I’ve been putting together. Hopping in front of him, I clap my hands together.
“Open your eyes!” I squeak.
Nolan’s beautiful hazel eyes flutter open. He looks at me for a second before looking back at my project. His eyes widen.
“Coral,” he breathes. “This is…”
Unsure of what that means, I turn to look as well. It’s technically moss. But it’s moss that I’ve made into a… living room, I guess. The furniture is big, fluffy mounds of moss that took me forever to coax up into a position that resemblesa couch. There’s a twining vine of jasmine that covers the ceiling, which drips down into a light fixture that attracted some bioluminescent worms from a cave underground. It’s still day, so they’re not glowing yet. Maybe he doesn’t see the worms and thinks the jasmine is weird?
I walk forward, stretching my hand out.
“It’s supposed to be somewhere that you can sit while I’m working in the greenhouse. This—” I wave at the light fixture made of jasmine, “—is supposed to be like a reading lamp. There’s a whole cave system under us, and some of the worms in the cave are bioluminescent, and they agreed to come up and hang out in here, but because it’s during the day, I don’t think you can see them, but if you think the worms are weird, then I can…”
I pause.
Nolan’s right behind me. Slowly, his arms unfold and wrap around my chest. He tugs me back into him. The warmth from his body radiates through mine, and I let myself lean into it.
“This is the coolest fucking thing I’ve ever seen,” he whispers in my ear.
I squeak and turn. “Do you want to try it?”
“Hell yes.”
Laughing, I move out of Nolan’s embrace and tug him down onto the couch. It’s so soft. The moss smells amazing, like earth and water, and it’s so plush to lay on.
Nolan flops down next to me, looking up at the jasmine light fixture. “When do you think the worms will start glowing?”
