Page 36 of Searching for Bristol
Bristol couldn’t help but laugh. He wasn’t wrong.
“And second, letting you hike off alone, and then leaving when he knew all too well that he was your ride home, is the biggest asshole move of all. Thank God you told Sandra where you were going and when you were supposed to be back,” Rocky muttered.
Bristol was definitely thankful she’d done that. She might not do a ton of outdoor stuff, but she enjoyed hiking, and she knew better than to head off into the woods without letting someone know where she was going.
Leaning over the makeshift tray on her lap, Bristol touched Rocky’s arm. She opened her mouth to thank him, but stopped herself at the last minute. But she didn’t have to worry. Rocky immediately covered her hand with his and squeezed. They stared at each other, sparks flying between them. She connected with this man on a level she hadn’t experienced with anyone else. It was a bit disconcerting, considering so much was up in the air.
He opened his mouth to say something just as there was a knock at the door.
Surprised, Bristol sat back.
“Be right there,” Rocky called out before standing and reaching for the book on Bristol’s lap.
He obviously knew who was here, because he didn’t seem too surprised that someone was visiting so early. He took the book with her empty bowls on it to the kitchen before heading to the front door.
Elsie was on the other side, and she had a big smile on her face as she entered the apartment. “Hey, Bristol. How are you feeling this morning?”
She smiled. “I’m good. Each day gets a little better.”
“Awesome! You ready to do this?”
“Um…do what?” Bristol asked, totally confused.
In response, Elsie turned to Rocky. “You haven’t told her?”
“Haven’t had a chance. We just finished breakfast,” Rocky said.
She rolled her eyes at him. “I just figured you would’ve told her right away, since you called and asked me to come over as soon as I could,” Elsie said. “I got Tony on the bus and headed straight here.”
“And I appreciate it.”
“I’m sure I would too, if someone told me what it was that I should appreciate,” Bristol quipped.
Elsie chuckled and walked into the living room. She sat on the couch in the same place Rocky had just been and explained, “Rocky said you needed help with a shower. That you did your best to take one the other day but it didn’t go that well. He said he should’ve thought about calling me to help before now, and he felt bad, thus the urgency for me to get over here as soon as I could.”
Bristol knew her mouth was open, but was completely shocked. She looked over Elsie’s shoulder at Rocky. “When did you call?”
“When I was in the back getting your sheets,” he said with a small shrug. “You said the one thing you wanted right this moment was to shower. Getting your supplies so you can do your art will take a bit more planning, but I figured I could at least help you get clean. I should’ve thought about that before. I’m sorry.”
Excitement rose within Bristol. She couldn’twaitto take a long shower and not worry as much as she had when she’d been by herself. “Don’t be sorry. This is awesome!” she exclaimed.
“You two sit and chat for a bit while I get things ready in the bathroom,” Rocky ordered.
“Wow. I haven’t known Rocky all that long, but he seems…different,” Elsie said when he was out of earshot.
“Different how?” Bristol asked.
“Justdifferent. I mean, he’s always nice, but it’s kind of been in a standoffish way. I was beginning to think maybe I irritate him, especially when he volunteered to stay here in Fallport with Raiden while the rest of us hiked out to the watch tower. But seeing him with you the last few days…it’s made me see him in a new light.”
Bristol was definitely interested in hearing more. “Yeah?” she asked, hoping to encourage the other woman to keep talking.
“Uh-huh. He’s…softer around the edges or something. And the way he hovers over you reminds me of how Zeke is with me.”
Bristol shook her head. “We’re just friends. I mean, I’m grateful he found me, and I’m extremely thankful he’s helping me out, but we aren’t like you and your husband.”
“I have no doubt you’re grateful, and I’m sure Rocky is more than relieved he found you. But there’s more to you guys than just gratefulness.”
“It hasn’t even been a week,” Bristol said softly, verbalizing what she’d been telling herself for days when she tried to rationalize what she was feeling for Rocky…and failing.
