Page 37 of Silver Edge
“Thanks.”
“Oh, you two are definitely going to shag,” Linda mumbled under her breath. Her hands shot up in surrender. “Hey, us old people have to live vicariously through the young.”
I scooted out the door, hastily making my retreat.
“Leave the door open, but close the screen, would ya, darling? That way all the old bats know my handsome grandson is here and they can be jealous.”
I did as she said then hurried to the path that led back to the dining hall. Walking back through the colorful fall leaves, I took my time to clear my head. To my relief, there were only a few people still there, and none seemed to pay any attention to me. There was a kitchen toward the back and I found a service counter with a lady behind it. “Is this where I get coffee?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She poured two cups then directed me to the table with the sugar and cream. I’d seen Drake add one sugar and a dash of cream to his coffee, so I fixed it the way I thought he liked it then headed back to Linda’s apartment.
Rounding the corner, I heard them speaking. Not wanting to interrupt, I sat on a bench outside and sipped my coffee for a moment.
“She’s so different from anyone I’ve ever known,” Drake was saying. “Well, except for Devon.”
“Devon?”
Drake’s voice deepened. “Yes, she’s so talented and great with numbers, but has issues with certain senses. Like Devon did.”
“That’s why you brought her to meet me. Because you want me to help you understand her better,” Linda said.
Drake sighed. “Yes, but I also wanted you to meet her.”
“I see. Are you with her to make up for not being there for your brother?” Linda asked.
“No. I mean, she’s intriguing. Special.”
I knew I shouldn’t listen in, but I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to know, to confirm that Drake’s words to me were how he really felt, not pity for the poor girl I feared he saw me as.
“If you haven’t shagged her, then she must be special.”
“Why are you so obsessed with sex all the time?” Drake chuckled.
“Because I don’t get any. Anyway, I like her. Thank the Lord, you finally found a girl worth meeting. I mean, she’s got character and originality, not some cookie-cutter socialite like you usually go for.”
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel,” Drake said drily.
Linda coughed a few times then cleared her throat. “So, tell me about this touching issue.”
Drake didn’t speak for a moment. “I don’t know how much she’d feel comfortable with me sharing. I won’t betray her trust. But I will say, she’s been through hell. Most girls wouldn’t survive. Heck, some men I know wouldn’t, either. She not only made it out of the insanity of her youth, she’s optimistic of the future. On top of that, she’s a math genius, musically gifted, independent, and pure at heart.”
“You’ve changed.”
I heard heavy steps and I pressed back against the bench, hoping he couldn’t see me through the window.
“In what way?”
“You’re not such a superficial ass. It’s not all about you.”
I heard nothing for a moment, then Drake said, “Maybe she does bring out a softer side of me, I don’t know. But maybe it’s because there’s no head games with her. She’s just who she is, and I can be me.”
Linda chuckled. “Oh, you got it bad. I think this is the first time you’ve ever opened your heart to someone.”
Breath caught in my lungs, but not the usual way where it felt like it was holding me hostage. More like screaming at me that I needed to listen carefully to what he said in response.
“I think you’re jumping ahead. We just met a few weeks ago. I mean, I definitely feel something.”
“Drake, darlin’, it can take one look to know when you’ve found a good match. You’re just male and it takes your brain longer to process. Give it time. You’re young, but don’t let this one go.”
