Chapter 27
Chapter twenty-seven
Remiel
Greer’s face is a mixture of annoyance and what I believe to be shame. Given the new, dull, reddish-brown color that’s appeared on the edges of her changing gray aura, I think I’m right. It’s shame from what she saw and experienced at Tim’s home.
I don’t like seeing her feel bad, but it’s necessary for this job.
Greer has to experience the effects of her actions, both good and bad.
Witnessing Tim with his new baby and wife—hearing what he said, experiencing his emotions—was good for her.
I wanted her to know he didn’t blame her for how she is and the potential of losing his job. That he understands her as best he can.
Empathy is possible even when you’re hurt and angry.
And I know Greer has the capability to feel it as well.
I can see it in how her body language has changed and the shades of blue that had already begun to infiltrate her aura along with the threads of bright gold.
She is healing—cracks of different emotions breaking through the walls of ice around her heart—even if she is outwardly acting as if she’s not.
It scares her, whatever new or old feelings she’s having.
I think it’s why she pulled away from us after our evening together and ran from Sam’s room as if she’d catch the plague staying a second longer.
It’s why she’s acting as if seeing Tim struggling doesn’t matter.
Hopefully, by the end of our time tonight, she’s singing a different tune.
Christmas music grows louder as the laughter of friends and family echo around us.
Josh is kissing Avery’s cheek, and Greer’s parents are chatting with each other.
The friends that Josh and Avery brought are talking about something funny from college, which is making Josh blush now, and the overall mood is happy and festive.
By the grind of Greer’s teeth, it aggravates her.
Avery’s mother appears with a tray of glasses filled with egg nog, stepping right through me to reach Greer’s parents. Greer’s arms are folded over her chest while the fire red of anger pulses through her aura.
“I’ve got a glass for everyone,” Avery’s mom says. Her husband helps pass out the glasses, and when they’re distributed, she sets the tray down and sits on a love seat, her husband following suit.
There’s only a small lull of silence before Josh stands up. He holds his glass in the air and clears his throat. “Everyone, can I have your attention please? I have something I’d like to say.”
“Oh god,” Greer says from beside me, rolling her eyes. “He’s horrible at making toasts. They were always so corny.”
I observe Avery, her blue eyes focused on her long-time boyfriend, then look over at her parents, who are smiling adoringly at their daughter.
“Avery, babe.” He takes her hand, pulling her up from the couch. He sets their glasses of egg nog on a side table before gently moving her so they stand in front of the Christmas tree, giving everyone a view of them.
“Josh?” she asks curiously. “What are you doing?”
He squeezes both her hands in his before dropping down on one knee. Everyone in the room gasps, including Greer. She covers up her shock quickly, pressing her lips together as she stares at the couple.
Avery grips Josh’s hand with her left one while her right hides her mouth as tears begin to form in her eyes.
“Avery, baby. You’re the best person I’ve ever met.
You’re patient, kind, and so beautiful my chest aches every time I look at you.
I know you didn’t want me to propose until life and things at your job slowed down, but if I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that life is never going to slow down. Life is only going to speed up.”
Josh reaches out his hand, and one of his friends steps forward, handing him a box. He opens it up to reveal a glittering diamond ring that has everyone in the room gasping again. Greer, however, keeps her lips pressed tight together.
“Let’s live a long life together and build a family of our own. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
A tear slides down Avery’s cheek, and for a brief moment, she glances at her parents.
They’re holding hands, watching this pivotal moment in their daughter’s life.
She gives them a watery smile before her gaze shifts to Greer’s parents.
The smile falters, just slightly, and I know exactly what she’s thinking—that this moment is missing something.
Or rather, someone. Someone who is here but not.
“My parents are getting what they always wanted,” Greer says as we wait for Avery’s answer. The pain in her voice is evident, and I nearly pull her into my side to comfort her.
“What do you think that is?” I ask.
“A daughter who gives them all the things they dreamed for me.”
“You’re their daughter, love.”
She laughs airily, but the sound is cut off by Josh’s voice. “What do you say, baby? Will you marry me?”
Avery’s full smile returns, the answer written on her face before she says it. “Yes!”
The room erupts in cheers as Josh slips the ring on Avery’s finger before he stands to kiss her. The whoops grow louder, and someone turns the music up, the unmistakable sound of champagne popping in the background from one of their friends who must have come prepared.
“She looks happy.” Greer’s declaration turns my focus to her.
Conflict flickers across her features. I see the part that wants to be happy for her friend and another part that doesn’t, the part that wants to keep thinking of Avery as someone she’ll never be instead of a friend who has always been there for her and refuses to leave her side despite every harsh or uncouth thing she has done to her.
“She is,” I say back.
“What next?”
I know Greer wants to leave, but we’re not done here yet.
I gesture for her to step forward. Avery and Josh are making the rounds, getting hugs and congratulations from her loved ones.
To my surprise, Greer moves without a fight, and I place my hand on her lower back.
I probably shouldn’t be touching her, but I can’t stop myself.
Greer needs to feel grounded, as if someone is in her corner. I can be that for her.
“Here,” I say, stopping us close to her parents and Avery. I press my hand heavier on her back as her dad opens his arms to the younger woman.
“I’m so happy for you, Avery,” he says warmly, looking at her now-fiancé. “You, too, Josh.”
“Thank you, Mr. Mallory,” she answers, pulling back to give Greer’s mom a hug, then Josh does the same. When they’re done, Greer’s mom nods at her hand.
“Can I see the ring?” she asks.
“Of course,” Avery holds out her left hand, and the older woman takes it. She grips it tight and stares for a long moment, lips now pursed into a tight line that reminds me a lot of Greer. When she looks back up at Avery, clear tears are in her eyes.
“I know,” Avery says, reaching to enclose Greer’s mom’s hand with both of hers. “I wish she was here for this, too.”
“Who?” Josh asks, his tone aloof.
“You know who,” Avery says.
“Greer?”
Greer stiffens beside me at the sound of her name.
“Yes, who else?” Avery asks.
“I don’t see why. It’s not like she would care. I don’t even think she likes me.”
“She does.”
“You’re always standing up for her when she wouldn’t do the same for you.”
“Josh,” she warns, giving him the side-eye, a reminder that these are Greer’s parents standing in front of them. He sighs before he leans over to kiss her cheek. “I’m going to go talk to my parents.”
She nods and turns back to Greer’s mom when he’s gone, giving her an apologetic look. “Sorry. Their relationship is…”
“…complicated?” she offers, and Avery nods. “For what it’s worth, my relationship with my daughter is strained, but despite it all, I know she’d be happy for you, even if she won’t express it.”
“You really think so?”
Mrs. Mallory pauses before she nods. “You know better than anyone how she is. You’ve been there by her side, loving her like a true friend would. Greer wouldn’t have allowed you to stay in her life and work with her if she didn’t love you.”
“It doesn’t feel that way most of the time.”
The older woman sighs. “I’m sorry you feel that way. But I think you know that, ever since Greer was young, she’s had a hard time with feelings. She’d rather turn them off and pretend they don’t exist. But like I said, I have no doubt she loves you and would be happy for you.”
Avery swallows, her eyes turning watery.
“For what it’s worth, I know she loves you both, too.
” Her gaze moves between Greer’s parents.
“She may not take your calls, but I’ve seen the way she looks when I tell her you’ve both tried calling or I bring up our gatherings. I think she wants to talk to you both.”
“You don’t have to give me hope, dear.”
Avery takes Mrs. Mallory’s hand and squeezes. “Like you said, Greer has a hard time showing her feelings. But if she can love me, I have no doubt she loves you both.”
“We’ll take your word for it,” Mr. Mallory says, his voice thick.
“I can only hope that one day she’ll come around, and we’ll be celebrating Christmas with her,” Avery adds.
Greer’s mom wipes a tear off her cheek. “I’ll try to keep that hope alive, especially if you think it’s possible.”
Avery smiles tenderly and hugs her again. “We just have to pull her away from work. I tried to call her again earlier.”
“Still no answer?”
She shakes her head. “She’s probably lost in evaluations and numbers.”
“That’s probably true,” Greer’s dad adds.
“Yeah.” She exhales a concerned breath. “But I’ll try again later and let you know if I hear anything.”
Mrs. Mallory pulls Avery into a strong hug. “Thank you, Avery. Now, go celebrate with Josh and enjoy your Christmas. You don’t get the time back.”