She poked fun at my stick figure drawings as she sketched out the figure of a tall, lean man. Leaving his face blank, she focused on the posture, hands in pockets and a foot kicked up as he leaned against a wall.
“Who’s that?”
“Just a figure study,” she answered before wadding the paper up into a ball and throwing it into a small pile she’d made.
“Your mother mentioned you’ve had a few visits from your old friend, Theo? Is it him?”
“No, it’s not him. But—” She grinned, her face lighting up. “Theo does come and play card games with me. I’m glad he’s here. It…helps.”
“I imagine so. You’ve known him a long time, right?”
“As long as I can remember. He’s my best friend.”
“Those are good to have,” I replied, heart twisting. “Do you have feelings for him?”
Wide eyes met mine, face flushed in embarrassment. “I don’t think so. I don’t know. He kissed me once, but…” She trailed off.
“But?”
“But it didn’t—I didn’t…feel…I don’t know.”
“It didn’t feel like you’d die if he didn’t kiss you again?” I asked, smiling even though my stomach was starting to hurt.
“Exactly!” she exclaimed. “I love him—as my friend.”
“It’s important to have best friends. It’s hard when lines blur. Have you told your mother about your kiss?”
“Gods, no! You’re not going to tell her, are you?”
“Should I?”
She groaned. “Please don’t. She might not let Theo come visit me anymore without a chaperone.”
“Is there a need for a chaperone?” Given what she’d said about not feeling much from their kiss, I still asked just in case.
“No! I think I’m going to tell him we should just be friends.”
“That’s probably a good idea. Friends are important, and if he’s a good one, he’ll understand.”
“He’s the best,” she whispered. Part of me wondered if she wished she felt something, and I understood more than I could say.
“Emma is going to singe both your asses,” a familiar voice trilled behind us, and I turned to see the woman I’d come to visit leaning against the archway into the dining room. My heart rate sped up, nearly bursting out of my chest.
“Not if she doesn’t find out,” Elora said, mischief in her tone.
“Oh, it’s too late for that.” Another familiar voice rang out, and Elora’s eyes widened before darting to the grandfather clock in the corner.
“You’re home early,” the girl squeaked.
“Not too many people to see today, darling,” Emma said as she stepped into the room, unwinding a scarf from around her shoulders. Cheeks pink and eyes bright, she looked better than the last time I’d seen her, but she wore her sadness heavy on her face.
Gods, my brother was stupid.
“I did just fine, didn’t I, Lavenia?” Elora asked, attitude in her voice, and I cleared my throat.
“We were very careful,” I offered, as Emma turned squinting eyes toward me. “She wouldn’t have gone if it—”
“Oh, don’t take the fall for her,” Emma laughed as her face softened. “I know how coercive she can be.”