Page 7 of True North

“Thanks,” I said on a whisper. “I was just thinking about how all those techniques have been such a big help for her lately.”

He leaned closer, giving me his full attention in a way that made my insides feel like Jell-O. It didn’t help me keep my head clear that he was so close all I could smell was his cologne. I didn’t recognize the woody amber scent, but it was officially my favorite. “Is she doing okay?”

“She is now. It was rough going in the beginning, but the doctors finally got the right combo of meds. Now she’s winning the battle.” I leaned closer, feeling like I was being pulled in like a magnet, or a moth drawn to a flame.

God, he has pretty lips, I thought to myself as my eyes made a journey across his face. It was the first time I’d had unfettered access to simply look my fill, and I wasn’t going to waste it. I mapped his every feature like I was committing them to memory.

“I think there was a part of me that didn’t take her beliefs and practices seriously. I mean, it could be more than a little awkward for a pre-teen having a sleepover when her friends catch her mom meditating and whispering things to herself.”

He leaned in as well, causing my heart to flutter before it started racing. “I take it by your use of the past tense that you’ve changed your mind?”

I nodded, my lips stretching into a huge, cheesy grin. “Yeah. You could definitely say that. Way I figured, who am I to judge the things that bring her happiness and make her feel better?”

“Sounds pretty wise, if you ask me.”

The warmth that bloomed in my chest at that statement spread through my limbs, making my veins tingle. He was suddenly so close, and so focused on me, I had to pull a breath in through my parted lips to keep from melting into a gooey puddle at his feet.

“Thanks.” I hated how breathy that single word came out; it gave me away, and I might as well have already been a walking advertisement for all unrequited crushes everywhere. “It means a lot to hear that. Things have been kind of . . .” I pursed my lips and blew out a gusty exhale. “It’s been insanely stressful, and sometimes I worry I’m not doing everything I can to help her.”

I thought I saw a flicker of understanding in those bright, summer sky eyes of his. “Pretty sure that’s how we all feel when a loved one is hurting.”

“Speaking from experience?”

His response was the grunt into his drink, so I followed his lead and put the straw of my own cocktail between my lips and sipped, only to find out I’d already bled that one dry.

“You want another?”

My head shot around in his direction, my eyes going wide. “What?”

He tilted his chin toward my empty glass. “I could use another. How about you? You in?”

That cheesy smile returned, stretching so big my cheeks started to ache. “I’m absolutely in.”

FOUR

IRIS

I felt like I was coming out of my skin as I paced the entire length of the bathroom. Back and forth, back and forth. The whole time I gnawed my thumbnail to death while holding the phone in my other hand to my ear.

I wasn’t counting the rings, but I could have sworn I was up to a hundred.

The call finally connected, the hoarse, groggy voice on the other end answering with a raspy, “Hello?”

“Shit,” I hissed, briefly pausing in my pace to smack myself in the forehead. “I’m so sorry, Lennon. I didn’t realize the time. Didn’t mean to wake you up.”

“Iris?” she asked, sounding a little more awake by the second. “What’s wrong? You sound off.”

“I’minNorthHasting’sbathroom!” I hissed, spitting the words out so quickly they all flowed together.

“What?”

I breathed deeply to calm myself down and repeated the words slower that time. “I’m in North Hasting’s bathroom.”

Silence filled the line for a few seconds before she responded. And when she finally did, her voice was full of panic. “Oh, god, Iris. What did you do?”

My brows slammed together in confusion. “Huh?”

“You broke into a cop’s house?” she practically shrieked down the line. “Have you lost your mind?”