Page 20 of Sherry and Sunflowers
She nodded. "Fine. It was fine."
Fine was the last word he'd use to describe her. She looked kind of gray. Her shoulders were set, and there was a cotton ball taped to the inside of her elbow.
"He took some blood," she said when she saw him looking. "I have to come back in a week."
"Okay." He held her gaze, hoping that she'd give him something more. But she just shrugged before turning to Clara. "Do I need to make an appointment?"
"I'll give you a call to set it up, once we have the results."
Alara stiffened at his side. When she opened her mouth, but no words came out, Reaves stepped in.
"Thanks, Clara. We'll see you next week."
He put his hand at the small of Alara's back and guided her outside. Once they were back at his Land Cruiser, he opened the door for her.
"Are you all right? You look pale."
"I am. I'm fine, thanks." She climbed in without looking at him.
Once he was in the driver's seat, he turned to face her. "Maybe you need something to eat. I know when I've given blood in the past, I need food before I feel right again."
"Yeah, maybe you're right. I'll eat when we get back."
"I was wondering… since we're here… we could go to Molly's for lunch. It's only around the corner."
She stared at him, seeming to finally register that he was there and she was talking to him, rather than just going through the motions. "I…"
He allowed himself to interrupt this once. "I know you're probably worried about Zia, but think about it. She and Dad are going to be rolling around in a sea of glitter for a while yet. And… I'd love to take you to lunch."
She nodded slowly. "Okay. Thanks, Reaves."
When they arrived at Molly's, Reaves held the door open for Alara to go in ahead of him. He'd hoped that she'd get some color back once she'd eaten, but it was easy to see that having blood drawn wasn't the cause of her current state. She hadn’t said a word on the drive over here.
"Hey, Reaves." Grady greeted them as he came hurrying over. "Oh, hi, Alara, it's good to see you. How are you doing, and how's Zia? Ava was just talking about her yesterday, asking if we could maybe get her to come over and hang out."
Alara finally seemed to relax a little. "Hi, Grady. I'm sure Zia would love that. She adores Ava."
"It's mutual. I'll get Hannah to give you a call to set something up. And hey, if ever you're busy with work, she can come and hang with us anytime, you know. The two of them get along so well, it's no trouble."
"Thanks so much. That's kind of you."
Reaves didn't understand it, but she didn't seem too thrilled about the idea. It didn't make sense. He knew she got along with Grady and Hannah, and Ava and Zia had gotten close since they met at Jacob's wedding.
"Anyway, is it just the two of you?" Grady asked, not letting the awkward moment land. "You can choose anywhere you like. I'll bring your menus over."
Once they were settled in a booth in the corner, Reaves met her gaze and held it. "How are you doing?"
She nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry. I…" She sighed. "I'm just taking it all in, I guess." She gave a hollow-sounding laugh. "It's been a long time since I saw a doctor."
He opened his mouth but closed it again—he'd been about to say that she'd soon get used to it. It seemed to him like there'd be a few more appointments coming up for her, but that probably wasn't the wisest thing to say.
Grady came back with menus and took their drinks order. Alara studied the menu while Reaves studied her. Although the longer he watched her, the clearer it became that she wasn't reading at all. She was lost in her thoughts.
He desperately wanted to know what Dr. Ambrose had said. But…
"Do you want a steak wrap?" he asked. "That's what I'm going to have. And I think steak's something you're supposed to eat after you give blood."
"Yeah, that sounds good," she said absently, as she closed her menu.
