Page 69 of Entangled
“What are you thinking?” Dad asks.
“I don’t know how to function in society.”
He chuckles. “Do any of us really have a clue? You’re a bright woman. You’ll figure it out. The point is, you need to try.”
Greta squeezes my hand again. “First, I think you need to ask yourself some very important questions.”
“And they are?”
“Is Henry someone worth leaving the house for? Meaning, does he deserve the effort it will take for you to reacclimate to the outside world?”
“He does.”
She smiles. “More importantly, is he worthy of your love?”
The answer is unequivocally yes.
29
HENRY
Mood Music: “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Michael Bublé
Dahlia stuffsanother cookie into her mouth and watches me as she chews. Then she swallows a gulp of milk to wash it down. “You look sad.”
“Thanks. You look dorky.”
She points to the penguins on her flannel pajamas. “You’re just jealous you don’t have moves like these.” She waddles around the kitchen making weird honking noises.
“Penguins don’t even sound like that.”
“How the hell would you know? Are you suddenly the authority on birds?” She snorts and flaps her arms dramatically, then attempts the crane kick fromKarate Kidand nearly falls on her ass.
“How are we from the same family?”
Dahlia claps my shoulder. “I ask myself that every day, Buzz.”
“What time do you want to have that lasagna?”
“Whenever you’re hungry.” She shrugs. “I’ve been snacking on cookies, so I’m good for now. Just let me know when you wanna eat.” Her eyes, so much like mine, soften. “In all seriousness, you really do look sad. Please tell me what’s wrong.”
“I wish things were different.”
“With Rowan?”
“Yeah. I haven’t seen her in a few days. I miss her, you know?” Sighing, I rub the back of my neck. “She should be here, celebrating Christmas with me.”
“Then go get her.”
I’d love nothing more than to have her in my cabin, curled up on my couch in front of the fireplace. I want her snuggled up inmybed. I want my pillowcases to smell like her beautiful hair. I just want her here. But that won’t happen.
“She doesn’t leave the house, remember?”
“OK, then you go to her place instead.”
“I don’t want to be rude. You came all this way to visit me. Besides, she’s having family time with her dad.”
“What if I come with you?” A devious gleam lights her eyes. “We can crash her party and share the Flynn love.”
