Page 63 of Challenge Me

She smiled and took it back, but she left it closed while she finished her food.

When Federico came over with the check, I pulled out my wallet. Remi tutted at me and snatched the little tray.

“My treat.”

“You’re paying?” I looked at him incredulously.

“Don’t be so surprised.”

It was probably rude, but I was surprised. Even more so when he whipped out a familiar metallic blue card and set it on the tray.

“Really?” I murmured.

“My treat,” he repeated with a wink.

I shook my head, but then the laughter set in. His fingers dug into my leg, and I didn’t know if it was to shut me up or because he knew how ridiculous he was.

“Make sure you tip well,” I said.

“I’m a service worker. Of course I’ll tip well.”

Feeling eyes on me, I lifted my gaze to meet Avery’s. Instead of shying away from her appraisal, I remained exactly as I was. I let my fingers slide over Remi’s thigh, which brought me a comfort that was less unexpected than it should have been. She was the first one to look away, and I didn’t know if that was a win or a loss. I didn’t want anything here to be a battle, but I’d seen these situations play out enough times with other people that I knew it was a possibility.

Whether it was with Remi or someone else down the line, this had to happen eventually. One way or another, we’d make it out the other side. I just had to pray my family wouldn’t be battered and bruised when we did.

Chapter 17

Remi

A garden blooms where ashes used to fall;

The roots drink deep of sorrow, yet they grow.

The walls remember footsteps in the hall,

And whisper secrets only shadows know.

So grief and grace together weave their thread,

And ghosts of longing walk where hope has fled.

Amir’s room was almost exactly like mine, but it felt different. As I paced from one side to the other, I raked my fingers through my hair, over and over. I’d probably have to wash it again after how much I’d touched it today.

I stopped at the door and pressed my ear against it. I could hear him talking to Mal, and there was a small laugh that I hadn’t heard before. It made something in my chest flutter as I pictured him with her, bringing out a side of her that she’d kept hidden away all day.

I turned around and slid down the wall. Planting my feet on the floor, I kept my knees close to my chest and rested my arms on them.

Mal’s voice carried to me, but I had to listen hard to make out what she said. It was some story, maybe the one that she was writing. From what I could tell, it was a graphic novel. I hadn’t read any of it, so the plans she had for the rest were missing a whole lot of context as she explained it to Amir. She paused quite a few times, and when I thought she was finished, she started again. It was hard to tell whether she was volunteering the information or being forced, because she didn’t sound particularly excited about it. Then again, I hadn’t heard her inflection change much regardless of what she said or who she talked to.

“I don’t think I can draw that part.”

“Why not?” Amir asked. His tone was so fatherly, I tried to imagine what he looked like when he spoke that way.

“It won’t be good.”

“Of course it will. Maybe you have to keep doing it over and over again, but you’ll get it.”

“I’ll run out of paper.”