Page 194 of Nyx

She takes the bowl of potato salad and walks it carefully to the table.

"Did you help Emmalyn with this?" Thumper asks as he spots her, plate in hand, ready to dig in.

Daisy looks over her shoulder at Emmalyn, who gives her a quick nod.

"I did," Daisy tells him, her face beaming with pride.

"That makes you the star of the show," the man tells her. "Was it made with love?"

"Always," Daisy tells him softly. "We always make food with love in this family."

I look across the room and see Dana watching her daughter and listening to the conversation. Tears shimmer in her eyes as she looks over at Emmalyn, mouthing the words thank you.

"That right there is what heals people," I say, my throat a little tight from what I just witnessed.

Emmalyn silently squeezes my arm before walking back into the kitchen. Daisy looks over, noticing her walking away, and bounces in right after her, obviously ready for her next family task.

The evening continues, more and more people showing up, everyone walking through the front door with some form of contribution. The two eight-foot-long tables in the center of the room are overflowing with every type of food imaginable that would pair well with barbecue.

People mingle and chat, some heading to the massive tables in the kitchen to eat, some standing and holding their plates as they eat and talk. It's very laid-back and not formal at all. Everyone seems so comfortable with everyone else.

It's a family, exactly like Emmalyn said. She wasn't boasting or projecting her hopes. They have really built a community of people who love each other, despite the various walks of life they come from.

I busied myself in the kitchen when I saw Nyx walk through, covered in dust from working somewhere.

After he disappeared down the hallway to his room, I walked back into the common area.

"Something I need to worry about?"

I look over, not exactly startled by Kincaid's presence because I knew he was close, but I never expected to be called out or to have been seen watching Nyx so closely.

"No," I tell him, waiting for more questions or pressure to explain what has happened between the two of us.

When he doesn't dig in deeper, I look up at him.

"Any news on Graham?"

He shakes his head, and even though I knew he'd tell me if there was, I'm still disappointed at his answer.

"We're hoping he left town," he says, waving to someone across the room. "He hasn't been spotted since the park."

"Not even back East?"

He drops his eyes to mine.

"No, sorry. No one has seen him."

Chapter 47

Nyx

I don't miss much that goes on around me. My training is too ingrained to just let go and just exist when around others.

So, I didn't miss the way she all but darted from the room when I walked inside the clubhouse. I stewed on it, wondering if coming out of my room after my shower was the best decision. I wouldn't do anything to make her feel uncomfortable, but the need to lay eyes on her, let her know in some way that things are fine between us, that they can go back to exactly how they were before last night happened if that's what she wants, pulls me from the room.

People are all over, dozens of smiling faces having a good time. The music is playing low over the inset speakers, just loud enough to hear if you concentrate, but not loud enough that people have to talk over it.

Kids squeal and run around, giggling and having a great time.