Chapter Five #2
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.
Grady must have been watching, because he appeared a moment later to pick up their menus and left again just as quickly once they'd ordered.
Reaves reached across the table and rested his hand on top of hers. She looked up to finally meet his gaze.
"Sorry," she murmured. "I'm fine."
"I never did trust that word. I mean, come on. It's like code, isn't it?"
She gave him a puzzled look, but he pushed on.
"I mean, when someone's good, they say they're good. If they're happy, they say they're happy. So, what does fine really mean?" He smiled, hoping he wasn't overdoing it.
She shrugged. "I think it kind of means not bad."
He nodded and withdrew his hand. If she didn't want to share, that had to be her call. He took a sip of his soda and watched her worry at her bottom lip.
When he couldn't take the silence any longer, he rested his elbows on the table. "You can tell me it's none of my business if you like. But you've been really quiet since we came out of there, and…" He shook his head. "You're scaring me, Alara."
Her gaze snapped up to meet his. "I'm sorry, Reaves. I don't mean to. I…" She closed her eyes for a moment before meeting his gaze again. "I'm scared."
Every question in his mind went quiet, and he reached for her hand again before he even realized that he'd done it. "Why? What's—"
At that moment, the server arrived with their steak wraps. "Here you go, guys. Enjoy."
As soon as he'd gone, Reaves squeezed her hand, hoping that she'd continue.
"I…"
He held his breath.
But when she finally spoke, she said, "I feel like I should get home to Zia."
He was about to argue—tell her that she could take an hour for herself, that she needed it, that she could tell him what Ambrose had said, tell him what she was afraid of, and he'd be there for her to lean on.
But then it hit him. She didn't mean she was scared of leaving Zia alone for an hour.
She meant that she was scared, and she wanted her daughter.
That changed things entirely.
"I'll tell you what, then. Should we get these to go and head back there?"
She looked at their plates. "But he just brought them and…"
"It's not a problem. Not a problem at all." Reaves was already waving Grady over. "Listen, bud, we just had a change of plan. Can we get these to go?"
"Sure thing." He took their plates, beckoned for the server to bring their drinks, and reappeared in just a few moments with three takeout boxes and two to-go cups.
Reaves took his wallet out, but Grady shook his head. "You guys look like you're in a hurry. I'll get it. We can settle up another time."
"Thanks, Grady. I appreciate it."
"Don't mention it."
Alara reached for the boxes, looking puzzled that there were three of them.
Grady smiled. "I slipped a little treat in there for Zia. I'll get Hannah to give you a call, if that's all right."
"Thanks, Grady."
Once they were back in his Land Cruiser, she fastened her seatbelt before looking up at him. "I'm really sorry about this, Reaves."
"Don't be. It was dumb of me to think you'd want to go for lunch."
She shook her head. "It's not that. On another day, I'd love to have lunch with you. But today…" She looked away. "I just need Zia."
"I get it. It's not a problem." He started the engine. "Let's get you back to her."