Page 8 of Night and Day
She wheezed a few more times, avoiding his eyes. Gradually, her shoulders dropped and her breath settled.
“Do you have asthma?” He asked.
“No. I can’t cry and my body does this instead.”
She kept her gaze on the window, her neck flushing pink. Izzy couldn’t help his voice creeping up. “You can’t cry? You mean you’ve never...”
Mia shook her head. “No, of course I cried as a baby, and in my youth. I don’t know when I stopped. It was some time in the last five years.”
“Oh, wow.” Izzy shifted in his seat, suddenly uncomfortable. He’d teared up last night when listening to music, not even sure why, but it probably wasn’t the right thing to advertise right now.
“It’s okay.” Mia drew a shuddering breath. “At least I’m not gaining sympathy points or using my femininity to get ahead.”
Izzy braked, realising he’d crept far too close to the white Mazda ahead of them. He’d never met anyone concerned about such a thing. “Your English is amazing,” he said, hoping to find common ground.
“Are you uncomfortable with a woman who can’t cry?” Mia turned to him, her eyes burning bright and guileless.
Izzy glanced at her, then whipped his attention back on the road. Too late. The look in her eyes was already imprinted on his corneas, an open gaze that held no politeness or placation, offering him no escape. Thank goodness he was behind the wheel. Staring into those eyes for any length of time rattled him.
“I don’t know. I’m a little uncomfortable right now.” He expelled a hollow chuckle.
“That’s okay. You’re honest.” Mia’s voice softened. “I know I make men uncomfortable. I can’t help it.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes. They called me ice queen at work. I know I can be intimidating.”
A genuine laughter bubbled up in Izzy’s chest. Did the little garden fairy really think she was intimidating? Intriguing, sure. Puzzling even. She was so small, so deeply troubled that he felt like he’d stumbled on a wounded bird. She may flapped her wings and attempted to limp away, but she needed help. His help.
Chapter 5
Mia stared at the big, bearded man. His soapy scent filled the car, sucking the air out of her lungs. Was she not getting enough oxygen? That could explain why she’d already spilled her guts to this stranger. Now he knew she wasn’t normal. Mia, the ice queen; always in control, with an answer to everything. Sometimes, they dressed the sentiment up as a compliment, but she knew what they meant. She was cold and creepy. After all, who else did she know who couldn’t cry?
Sunken into her dark thoughts, it took Mia a moment to notice Izzy’s amusement.
“What are you laughing about?” She demanded, her stomach winding itself into a knot. A double Windsor.
