Page 34 of Shattered

She looked at me directly for the first time all week. Her eyes studied me like she was trying to solve an equation that didn’t quite make sense.

“You’re a better person than I am,” she said finally.

“I’m really not.”

“True. A better person wouldn’t finish the bread without warning. You should have mentioned you used the last of it.”

The corner of my mouth lifted. “I was just following instructions exactly. Sorry if it came off as extremely petty.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“You’re impossible.”

“Match made in heaven, clearly. My mother’s a genius.”

We looked at each other and something passed between us—a truce, maybe, or the beginning of one.

Daniel appeared in the doorway. “You two need help?”

The moment broke like a soap bubble.

“We’re done,” Delia said, drying her hands. “Thanks though.”

The drive back to Brooklyn was different than the drive there. Delia didn’t angle herself away from me. Didn’t stare out the window like she was trying to escape. Just sat normally, occasionally commenting on traffic or pedestrians doing ridiculous things.

“That guy’s wearing a dinosaur costume,” she said as we passed someone on the street.

“It’s Friday night in New York.”

“Valid point.”

At her apartment, we went through our evening routine with less tension. She didn’t immediately disappear to her bedroom. Instead she asked if I wanted tea.

“Tea?” I repeated, because she’d barely spoken to me all week and now she was offering beverages.

“Yes. Hot water with leaves in it. Ancient beverage. Very soothing.”

“I know what tea is.”

“Do you want some or not?”

“Yes.”

She made tea while I sat on her couch. When she handed me a mug and sat on the opposite end—not the other room, nother bedroom, just the other end of the same couch—it felt like progress.

We drank in silence that wasn’t quite hostile anymore. Just quiet. Almost comfortable.

“I’m sorry,” Delia said suddenly. “For being difficult. I know you’re trying to help.”

“You’re not being difficult.”

“I’m absolutely being difficult. It’s basically my superpower at this point.”

“Then I should have asked before reorganizing your space.”

“Maybe we’re both bad at this.”

“At what?”