Page 16 of These Fractured Bonds

“Ah, the man in question,” he replied. He raised his hands, shrugging. “I can’t bear to see a human in dire need of help.”

“Quite the philanthropist.”

“A dear flaw of ours.”

Yareli watched the exchange in fascination. Her family life was a mess; her personal life was a mess, but her job? It was shaping up to be everything she had dreamed about as a kid. A pastry zoomed right past her ear, startling her, and she laughed. Orbs of light bounced in the air, following the soft beats of the ambient music. She took hold of August, spiriting him to the counter where Erick waited.

“Watch the front for me,” she said, then dragged August to the second floor.

It was empty as usual; she had a feeling the tables were for show. The room’s real purpose was for interdimensional travel. It suited her needs perfectly. She pointed at a mushroom table—the same one where she had done her interview with Donna.

“Sit,” she said, her boldness fueled by the thrill of her new reality.

Although his eyebrows were raised, August, to his credit, sat without a word. She surveyed his face, narrowing her eyes in an attempt to read his thoughts. “I need to know. Are you happy with our friendship?”

If his eyebrows rose any farther, Yareli wasn’t sure they’d remain on his forehead. She was sure they would take flight and join the fluttering leaves floating near the ceiling.

His voice was quiet, but steady in its rhythm. “I am.”

“Then, is there a problem with me knowing the truth?”

“Only that it must be a burden to you. Aren’t you scared to see us? To know your truth of the world was a lie?”

She dropped her gaze, twiddling her fingers. Her short nails scratched against her skin, snagging on a scab. “I guess, but wasn’t I already living amongst you? Truth will always triumph over lies.”

They remained quiet; Yareli worried her lip, eyes scanning August’s reaction, but he was inscrutable. He stood, his hand extended toward her. “I’m sorry. I have to head out.”

A portal flared to life in the room, and a strong gust whipped loose hairs in her face. It hovered, a constant whirl of smoke giving it a stormy appearance. Her heart pounded in her ears. What realm lay behind it? Entrenched in her wonder, she forgot about August’s hand. He withdrew it, a weird expression flashing on his face. He coughed, walking to the portal.

“We’ll talk about it next week… at our coffee meet-up.”

His tone made her pause; she met his gaze. The portal cast long shadows on his face, giving him a forlorn expression.Why do you look like that?He stepped through the portal, disappearing before she could say anything. Her hand hung in the air.

“Don’t go,” she whispered in the empty room so only a god would hear.

The portal vanished in a puff of blue smoke. Yareli remained rooted to the spot long after the last wisp of color had disappeared.

Chapter 7

Yarelirummagedthroughthefridge, moving boxes until she found the buttercream. It had been a week since she had last seen August, and she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a coiled knot of nerves anticipating their weekly meet-up. Their last conversation hadn’t gone the way she had expected; instead of steeling her resolve to clear things between the two of them, she found herself increasingly anxious.

“Yareli.”

August’s quiet voice caught her by surprise as she walked out of the fridge. She gave him a questioning glance, her pulse quickening.

“You’re here early!”

She placed the bucket of buttercream down, wiping her hands on her apron. She had expected to see August at the end of her shift. He wore dark cargo pants with a black T-shirt. She swallowed; her mouth souring at the implication. His hands hung awkwardly at his sides while he waited for her reaction.

“Heading out, then?” She picked up the bucket again and brought it to the counter.

“Yeah.”

“Taking a raincheck?” Yareli popped the lid off, grabbing a scooper.

“Yeah, sorry.”

She whipped her forearm, launching the glob of buttercream into the piping bag. For a while, the only sound was Yareli scooping and dumping buttercream into the bags. She opened and closed her mouth several times. Something between them had gone taut, and it strained under August’s silence. She wanted to know what was wrong, but cowardice held her tongue. If he said that he regretted telling her the truth, she would be crushed.