Page 24 of Pretty Thing

“Eden…I know you don’t understand, but I need to do this for you. It’s helping me deal with my pain as much as it is helping you.”

My eyes never leave her face as I head back to the bed and then squat in front of her. I lay my hand on her knee, and she shivers under my touch.

I fucking love her reaction to me.

“Besides, you remember I like classic rock. You notice I hate hospitals. You know about my mother, my father, and what I do. That makes us a little more than just acquaintances, doesn’t it? I’d go so far as to call us, friends.” My thumb rubs over her bare skin. “People know each other in strange ways sometimes.”

Eden glances at my hand and bites her lip. That is a dangerous look. My muscles tighten. Very dangerous indeed. The longer she stares at me, the harder it becomes to remember where the line is supposed to be. I want to cross it and kiss her right now and find out what she tastes like.

“Yes…I suppose you’re right, but please know that if at any time you⁠—”

“I won’t,” I say, cutting her off. “Hurry up and eat your muffin. We need to get going so that they don’t run over time. We have an appointment with the funeral home immediately after.”

“We? What?”

“Physiotherapy. Don’t you remember?”

“Oh…yeah, sorry.”

“And then we need to go to the funeral home,” I say, casually putting on her left sock.

Her eyebrows pull together. “I…I don’t understand.”

“I booked it this morning. They are super busy but agreed to talk to you today and have the service next weekend. This is a good thing. I know you don’t want them waiting for a funeral service.”

“Felix…that’s not your call.”

“Eden, you can’t ignore this. They are very busy and you need to bury them. They shouldn’t be left in some morgue freezer. I know it’s difficult, but this is the right thing to do.”

“I know, but you made an appointment again without asking me about it.”

“Yes, I know. You weren’t in any shape to talk about it last night, and you were asleep when I left this morning. I didn’t want you to miss getting in to see them today.”

Her bottom lip quivers and her eyes fill with tears.

“Felix…that was a personal decision that I should be making.”

“And you will,” I say with a shrug. “All I’ve done is set the ball in motion. That’s it. This was such a weight with my mother, and I didn’t know where to start and wished I had someone to help relieve the burden. Let me help you. I know what needs to be done. Why let yourself be overwhelmed when I’m right here?” Cupping her cheek, I trace her cheekbone and then jaw. “Please, Eden? Do this for them.”

Her mouth opens. Closes. Opens again. I watch and spot the exact moment she realizes she doesn’t actually have the energy to argue. She’s exhausted and drowning.

Too many people think grief looks dramatic all the time. Screaming. Crying. Collapsing. Most of the time it looks like this. A girl too tired to fight. All I want to do is make her life easier, if she can just find it in herself to let me.

“I also made another call.”

Her eyes narrow immediately. “Felix.”

“What?”

“Who did you call?”

I gingerly slip the sock onto her injured foot and strap the Aircast into place before helping her into the sweatpants like a child unable to dress herself.

“The lawyer.”

Her face drains. Too far…I pushed too far.

“I know,” I say quickly. “I know it is too much. But the funeral home, the hospital paperwork, and lawyers all happen at the same time. Listen to me first before you get upset.”