Page 27 of Distant Shores (Stapled Magnolias #2)

ADAIR

“ Y ou look so handsome in your scrubs, Addy. Strange color choice, though.”

I snorted and crossed my arms. “Is that so?”

She smirked like she had a secret, but I knew her game. These scrubs had listed their color on the tag, so I knew, in theory, what color they were. Dark green.

“Aren’t you going to comment on how handsome I am?” she asked, gesturing to her own scrubs, which were patterned with little dogs.

“You look very handsome, Delly. The handsomest.”

She beamed, and I pulled her into a quick hug. “Have a great first official day. I’ll see you at lunch.”

“You’re not going to cry today? On my first full day at my first summer healthcare job? Like you did on my first day of middle school? And high school? And college?”

“I cried in the shower this morning, like a lady,” I said with a smile, not at all ashamed of my man tears.

Delly giggled. “Are you going to tell me why you’ve been using my shower?”

I shrugged. I wasn’t going to risk making Ireland uncomfortable. Or more uncomfortable. Which was why I’d used Delly’s shower since the incident.

Delly looked around the quiet hallways of Zinnia House. “Think we’ll finally see our roommate today?”

“Maybe? She seems pretty busy.”

A busy phantom. That was what Ireland Sewell was.

For the entire weekend, she’d only existed in glimpses and reports of glimpses.

I thought the whole thing would blow over quickly, especially after she left that note and the peace-offering egg sandwiches, which had been delicious.

But then she’d gone and avoided us—or me, more specifically—and it was time for us to resolve the social trauma of her seeing me naked.

I’d stayed in my room Sunday evening after dinner at Jillie’s, not wanting to sit in the living room as if I were waiting up for Ireland to return. But I was. It seemed I couldn’t even try to go to bed until I knew she was back. That she was safe.

As soon as Delly had texted me that she’d seen Ireland, and after I’d heard Ireland’s bedroom door close softly, I’d eased out into the house and double-checked all the locks.

And then I’d taken a pack of sticky notes from the kitchen counter and written a response to her note, leaving it on her bedroom door.

I’d frowned at the funny little saying printed at the top of the note before writing my message back below it.

Not only is my short-term memory terrible, but so is my short-term memory

Thank you. They were delicious.

P.S. I love eggs.

-Adair

I inwardly cringed as I thought of at least a dozen things better than writing “I love eggs,” and said bye to Delly before heading to the second floor, where I was assigned for the day. I checked in with my supervisor and started going through patient charts on a tablet at the nurse’s station.

My official title here at Live Oak was Community Paramedic. I got my certifications for Alabama squared away last month and was officially licensed to do a variety of things here at Zinnia House and at the Locc too.

I kept stealing glances at the bench where I’d bandaged Ireland’s knee. There had to be a way to break the ice. I didn’t want her to feel she needed to not take up space at the house.

I prepared the morning meds for Mrs. Hammond in Apartment 2E, then double- and triple-checked them against the info on my tablet.

Finally satisfied I wasn’t about to majorly mess up, I rolled on my wheeled stool to this floor’s nurse on duty, an older woman with a no-nonsense attitude that reminded me of one of my chiefs at the station.

She was my shadow as I rolled myself and Mrs. Hammond’s medications into the small dorm-like room. Dozens of photos of dancing couples were hung on the walls, with wedding and other special event photos scattered among them.

I was glad to see how many rooms were decorated like real homes here. Mrs. Hammond was pleasant but disconnected as I delivered her medications. Her husband sat by her side, holding her hand and double-checking my work.

When I asked Mrs. Hammond about one of the photos, she finally looked up at me and smiled. “Summer of ’73. Dominated the competition with my Viennese waltz. ”

Mr. Hammond softened as she added a few more details about her ballroom competition days, his eyes never straying from hers.

A tap on my shoulder from the nurse signaled that we needed to move on. With a goodbye, I rolled back into the hallway, and we carried on with a morning of supervised introductions and medication delivery.

Delly was caught up with a patient when my lunch break started, so I made my way to the Locc to do a little drive-by visit to Jillie’s desk.

Yesterday, during a break in orientation, I’d done the same, and then I’d happened by the dance room, where I’d happened to see Ireland reflected in the mirror.

Okay … honesty.

I’d made a deliberate detour to the dance room after hearing the classical music trickling down the hallway.

And if I happened to see Ireland today, and it helped us bridge this awkward gap?

That would just be a bonus.

A beautiful, intense, lavender-scented bonus.

By the time I made it through the courtyard between Zinnia House and the Locc and beeped myself in, I was regretting my choice. The morning had been easy to deal with, pushing from room to room on the stool.

But that short walk had my ankle feeling weaker than ever, even braced in the boot.

I limped down the hallway slowly, and just as I turned a corner, it gave up completely.

“Heavens!”

Someone appeared under my arm, taking my weight.

“You looked like you were about to go for a swim, friend. But I’m afraid to report that this hard floor wouldn’t have been suitable for such a thing.”

I let out a surprised laugh as my savior herded me to a nearby bench and guided me to sit. Was there anyone in Alabama I hadn’t fallen or almost fallen in front of at this point? I ran a hand down my face and blew out a breath.

“My brother makes that noise often. Especially in my presence,” the soft, sweet voice said.

Pushing my hair off my face, I looked up at the stranger. I was expecting some baby-faced young dude, based on that voice alone, but this guy was like…

Not that.

Tattoos, piercings, hair buzzed on one side and long on the other.

He seemed unconcerned by my silence or staring as he carried on. “Though maybe less lately, now that I’ve gone months without any incidents at the docks or anywhere else, and he has Princess to occupy his attentions now.”

Clasping his hands behind his back, the slip of a guy regarded me with a small, warm smile.

“Oh yeah?” I said stupidly.

“Yes,” he replied. “Love is funny that way. It changes you.” He continued to just stand there with that serene smile as if he hadn’t just said something so… so...

“Are you all right? Can I get you something?” he asked before I could find the word. If it even existed.

“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks for the save.”

“Liem?”

I sat up straight as if electrocuted, hyperaware that I’d been sitting on the bench like a croissant.

“Ire!” The guy turned to Ireland, his smile growing huge.

She approached him with something akin to caution, and I shot to my unsteady feet, suddenly on alert.

The guy—Liem—threw me a quick, curious look as Ireland made it to us.

She was wearing casual athletic clothes, her brown hair pinned away from her face. They stared at each other for several seconds, something intense passing between them.

“How are you? I’ve been meaning to call,” she said quietly.

Liem’s brow pinched as he seemed to really consider his answer before he smiled sadly at her. “We’re here. Muddling through. May I ask the same question of you?”

She looked uncomfortable again, and her eyes flicked to me.

I was missing something. Something big behind those indigo eyes. Something related to the sadness I saw before.

“Hey,” I said softly.

“Hey,” she said back, almost shyly.

Liem’s gaze bounced between us, but I didn’t pay it any attention.

Her gaze trailed down my body, but then she jerked and turned her attention back to Liem. “You shouldn’t ask me that. I…. It wasn’t, you know. It’s not mine to, you know. Whatever.” She waved her hand, her words stilted and full of doubt.

Liem’s gaze sharpened on her before he turned his attention to me and held out his tattooed hand.

“I’m so sorry for my poor manners. I’m Liem Lott.”

“Adair,” I said, shaking his hand slowly before adding, “Jacks.”

“Are you teaching today too?” Ireland asked Liem. “I didn’t see you on the schedule.”

“No, I’ve just been staying with Aunt Ari for a couple of days. In fact.…” He looked over his shoulder, and we followed his gaze.

“Ireland,” an older woman said as she approached our impromptu group.

Hippie . That’s how Pops might’ve described her, with her billowing skirt and beaded jewelry .

The woman pulled Ireland into a hug, and Ireland was rigid as a board for several seconds before she sagged against her, the fight visibly leaving her body.

Liem was looking at them both with a soft smile.

I finally relaxed because it was clear these people loved my mysterious roommate. Or cared for her deeply, at least.

“My dear,” the woman sighed. “I’ve been worried about you.”

“Me?” Ireland asked, a furrow in her brows when she pulled back. “Why me?”

The woman just squeezed Ireland’s arm without answering. Just like Liem hadn’t.

“Hello, young man,” the woman said. “I’m Ari. Or Aunt Ari to this one,” she added, nudging Liem.

“Adair,” I supplied.

Ari smiled kindly, so much like her nephew, then turned back to Ireland. “Listen, I need to speak with you soon about our greenhouse. I know I’ve left it late, but?—”

“Please don’t apologize,” Ireland said, cutting in. “If you don’t feel up to it yet, that’s fine. There’s no rush.”

“That’s kind of you to say, dear, but I think I need this. I need something to focus on besides my… well, everything.”

Our party of unspoken emotion and tension grew from four to five as Delly strode confidently down the hallway to us.

“Hi, everyone,” she said with a little wave.