CHAPTER 18
C HAPTER 18
R ae stopped by her apartment so Amiya could have an opportunity to fully repair herself. It was a natural component of Carolina courtesy, ushering her inside and offering to make them a pot of herbal tea. Amiya exclaimed over the apartment’s beauty, and repeated over and over just how grateful she was for this shared moment. She stood by the hall’s entrance, listening with solemn intensity as Rae put the water on to boil and described growing up drinking her aunt’s homemade brews.
Rae knew the woman was very close to breaking down again. After Amiya entered the guest bath, Rae stepped to the side window and wondered at a life where another woman’s simple act of kindness would be reason to weep.
Rae texted Curtis, said they had become held up by a discussion that proved more important than expected. They’d be a few minutes late, she would explain later; in the meantime, they should go ahead and start without them.
Amiya emerged soon enough, her hair brushed to a silken glow, her face immaculate. There was, of course, nothing she could do about the shattered gaze.
Rae poured two clay mugs of Emma’s brew, handed one over, said, “I’ve texted Curtis.”
“So did I.” A sip. “This tastes as wonderful as it smells.”
“Growing up, Curtis used to moan every time we approached Emma’s. How he might as well boil weeds growing in her backyard.” She sipped around her smile. “He would have drunk lye for another batch of Emma’s cookies.”
Amiya dropped her gaze to the mug. “Curtis.”
There it was again. The temptation to poke her nose into something that was not and probably would never be any of her business. So Rae put on her professional voice and asked, “How can I be of service?”
But Amiya was not having any of it. The lovely, strong woman whispered, “I desperately need a friend.”