Page 19 of Rise
“Maybe I’m a little bit cold,” I tell her, the lie rolling off my tongue with ease.
It’s better than admitting the truth. This sweet, innocentwoman doesn’t need to learn how dark a world I’m from. She deserves a lot more. For a second, I wrestle with the question of whether I should make other plans. I don’t want to cause this good woman any problems. My being around her and her family will put her at risk, but what choice do I have? She was my only way out at the time. I just hope nothing bad happens.
She grabs the collar ofthe red plaid flannel shirt hanging on the back of her seat and passes it to me. “Here. Put this on,” she instructs me, then turns the dial of the temperature controls between us. I’ll leave the engine running while I’m in there.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Wilmington.”
“No problem. I won’t be long.”
I flash her another soft smile. This one feels less forced on my face than the ones before.
I’m getting better at faking it.
Either that, or maybe this emotion is real.
Maybe this is the best place for me. For now.
Settling into my seat, I accept the possibility that I’m where I’m supposed to be and let the cozy flannel shirt wrap me in warmth. I don’t fight the yawn that comes from out of nowhere, or the tiredness as my heavy eyelids lower over my eyes, orthe deeper breaths that fill my lungs as sleep comes.
