Page 76 of The Diamond in the Rough

I wiggled the fingers on my left hand—the one I’d been using to touch things—preparing mentally to try again.

She wasn’tsure she’d ever wear through the stone, but Mom had told her that if she kept it long enough, eventually she’d be able to rub through it.

“Goddammit,”I hissed, leaning back in the chair.

Just keep trying, Sylvia suggested.

I sighed. “I know,” I said out loud, although even I could hear the defeat in my voice.

“You know what?” Ward asked, rolling out.

I felt my face heat. “I was talking to Sylvia,” I explained. “I just…”

Ward was smiling. “I switch back and forth, too, sometimes,” he said, sounding amused. “And I don’t always realize when I’ve done it.”

I nodded, my face still hot, although it was cooling.

“Anything I can help with?” he asked.

“I don’t think so,” I answered. “But thank you.”

“What are you trying to do?” he asked.

I sighed. “To be able to not disappear into the memories,” I replied.

“When you have a vision?” he asked.

I nodded.

He blew out a breath. “That seems like it would be extremely useful,” he remarked. “And probably difficult.”

I nodded again.

“And you’re right. I can’t help.” He smiled. “But if you think of anything Icando, let me know.”

I nodded, even though I didn’t mean it. I wasn’t going to ask anything more of him if I didn’t have to.

He started to wheel himself down the hallway, then paused, turning back. “Rayn?”

“Yes?” I asked.

“I’m proud of what you’re trying to do,” he said. “And of how far you’ve come.”

I nodded, unable to speak around the sudden surge of emotion until I’d swallowed a few times. “Thank you,” I managed.

“Hey, kid.”

I nearly jumped out of my skin as Hart stuck his head around the corner of the kitchen doorway. I managed not to drop the disposable paper cup, despite the fact that I had spilled hot tea all over myself. I switched it to my other hand, shaking drops off my fingers. “Hello, Hart,” I said.

“Sorry, Rayn,” he apologized, holding up one hand. I noticed he had the plastic baggie with the red velvet box from the necklace in his other hand.

I grimaced. “It’s alright,” I replied, knowing that was what I was supposed to say, even though I hate it when people sneak up on me.

“Can I get you to do a deep dive on this fucking thing?” he asked, holding up the box in its baggie.

I nodded, then followed him into his old office. I wasn’t surprised—although I was a bit disappointed—that he was alone. Raj hadn’t come along.

I didn’t blame him. If I were him, I wouldn’t want to see me, either.