Page 146 of Composed
A shout sounds from behind me, followed by the slap of feetagainst hardwood.
I step back and narrowly avoid the spiral curls whipping through the air. Talia flies past me, throwing herself at Hendrix. A giggle rings through the air.
I kick my shoes off and follow the scent of freshly baked chocolate cookies straight into the kitchen so they can have their moment.
I can’t help but take in everything I pass. The pristine, sparkling granite counters. The scent of burning incense swirling through the air. A laptop sits open on the island.
Riley taps away at the keyboard, ear defenders snug over her ears, a pen rolling between her teeth.
I’m not sure what I'm supposed to do with myself.
Coming here seemed like a great idea when I suggested it. I want to see Hendrix’s life. Experience it. But the reality of being somewhere I’m not sure I belong is harder than I expected.
“You can sit down, you know.” Riley’s soft voice cuts through my trailing thoughts. I twist to face her. She doesn’t look up from her laptop as she says, “She wouldn’t have brought you here if she didn’t want you in her space.”
I choke on a laugh. “Can you read my mind?”
She shakes her head. “No. I’m just used to feeling the odd one out in a room. I recognise the signs.”
“You get that a lot?” I tug a stool free and hop up beside her.
“Most of the time, actually.” She nudges her screen down. “The thing with autism is people tend to see it asother. They can’t understand why I don’t fit into their notions of what should be, nor do they try. I haven't come across a lot of people in my life who just accept me as I am and don’t want me to change to fix their worldview.”
A frown tugs my lips. “I’m sorry, that’s really fucking shit.”
“It can be.” She glances past my shoulder, her fingers wiggling along the frame of her laptop. She draws in a breath and hums before zeroing in onmy cheek. “Do you want a cookie? I thought I’d bring them with me for you guys, but I’ve never made this recipe before so they might be bad. You can be my guinea pig.”
I grin as my muscles loosen. “Sure, I’ll take a cookie, if there’s one going.”
“Coming right up.” She slides her stool back and jumps down. “Do you want a cup of tea or anything?”
“Do you have coffee?”
She bounces on the balls of her feet and tugs open a cupboard. “Yes. How do you like it?”
“Three sugars, and a splash of milk.” Hendrix says, leaning against the frame, arms folded over her chest as she watches me. “Are you trying to steal my best friend?”
“Cookies and coffee on tap?” I shrug, arching a brow as I spin to Riley. “How do you feel about London, Riles?”
“I didn’t used to like it.”
“Used to?” Hendrix asks, her gaze narrowing slightly on her best friend. “Does that mean it’s growing on you?”
Riley shuffles on the spot, tapping the spoon in her hand on her thigh but says nothing.
Interesting, Hendrix mouths when I look back at her.
My brows furrow in confusion.
She shakes her head as Talia saunters into the kitchen. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Tell him what later?” Talia asks, jumping up onto the island. “That Reckless Abandon should play at my wedding, because you could just tell him now.” She twists to face me. “Hi, hello. Big fan.”
Hendrix explodes in laughter, and sing-songs, “Told you so.”
“Hi, Talia.” I tip my chin. “Nice to see you.”
“You too.”
