Page 28 of Distant Shores (Stapled Magnolias #2)

Introductions were made, and naturally Liem and Delly took a quick liking to each other, especially after he gushed about her scrubs.

“Ready for lunch, Addy?” she asked, her cheeks flushed from the attention. “You’re all welcome to join us. We’re just going to the cafeteria at Zinnia House.”

“A wonderful idea!” Liem exclaimed. Those words said in that cheery tone by anyone else would’ve seemed mocking, but with his demeanor, they came across as genuine.

The sound of wind chimes punctuated Liem’s enthusiasm, and Ireland pulled her phone from her back pocket and swiped her thumb across it, stopping the sound.

“Well,” she started hesitantly. “I was actually heading that way now, anyway.”

“Lovely,” Liem said, as if Ireland’s response were enthusiastic rather than a reluctant acceptance. He offered Delly his arm, and she took it. “Lead the way?”

Delly giggled and blushed, seeming entirely taken with Liem.

We made a slow caravan down the hallway and back out to the courtyard. I lent half an ear to the easy conversation that flowed among them as I searched for something to say to Ireland, who had fallen into step beside me.

I’d all but forgotten the pain in my ankle with such a distraction.

“Thank you again for the sandwiches,” I said quietly, my eyes on the path. I was determined to not so much as stumble this time.

She glanced up at me but looked away quickly. “And I’m sorry, again. I promise I won’t barge in again like that. You don’t have to keep using Delly’s shower.”

My brows shot up as I moved my eyes from my feet to her face. I was surprised she’d even noticed, being gone so much.

“Okay,” I said once I realized she wasn’t going to say any more about it. “As long as you’re sure.”

She nodded. “I am.”

I wanted to keep the conversation going, to tell her that she didn’t need to avoid the house, but I stopped myself.

Words wouldn’t convince her to be comfortable. Only time could do that .

Lucky for me, I had all summer to make that happen.

Delly buzzed us into Zinnia House, where Ari and Liem had to check in with the desk to get guest passes to the cafeteria.

When we entered the cafeteria, Ireland went straight to Beck, who was sitting alone at the table. They embraced, and my heart warmed seeing them together.

“Delly, do you see Pops?” I asked, stepping up next to my sister.

She released Liem’s arm and frowned as she searched the room. “No. I’ll go ask the nurse on duty where he is.”

Ari had wandered away to a nearby wall and was examining the generic art hung there with a critical eye, which left me alone with Liem by the entryway.

“So, Adair,” he started, raising a pierced brow at me. “Could you perhaps tell me how our dear Ireland is actually doing?”

Our dear Ireland.

Another set of words that would’ve been mocking from anyone else’s mouth but weren’t from his.

“I’m not the one to ask,” I replied honestly. “We’ve really only just met.”

“Oh?” he said, his lips quirking up. “Is that so?”

“Well,” I hedged, rubbing the back of my neck. “As of this weekend, we’re living together.”

His eyebrows bounced up in surprise. “A whirlwind romance?”

I balked. “Ah, no. That wasn’t how I meant to say it. I mean, we’re roommates. The three of us. Delly, Ireland, and me. It was just… circumstances, I guess?”

He eyed me and hummed thoughtfully. “Interesting.”

“How do you know each other?” I asked, wanting to change the subject but also dying to know the answer.

“Oh, that’s a story,” he said with an airy chuckle. “One of my favorites. Ireland had just moved here, and I was visiting Aunt Ari and Uncle Gi?—”

He stopped suddenly, his eyes dimming as something heavy pressed in on him. For several moments, he seemed to sink into it, but then, with a deep breath, he smiled sadly at me. “It’s a good story. Maybe one that she can relay to you sometime soon. I’m afraid I’m not up for it at present.”

The urge to hug this guy was nearly overwhelming, but before I could act on it, a deep voice cut in as someone joined us by the doors.

“Ti Bet. I’ve been looking for you.”

A set of muscular arms slid around Liem’s shoulders as the stranger pulled him back against his chest. He nuzzled into him briefly, then released him with a kiss on his cheek. “You left me,” he said in an accusing tone.

“You found me,” Liem countered.

The new guy’s soft expression fell away as he turned to me, though it wasn’t unfriendly. Just… guarded.

He was just as striking as Liem, but in a different way, and had shorter, lighter hair and a serious expression.

“Cody, this is my new friend Adair,” Liem said, nodding to me, the heaviness in his eyes already lessened.

“Nice to meet you,” I said, and Cody returned the sentiment, tucking Liem under his arm.

We walked as a group to the table where Ireland was sitting with her dad. She hadn’t gotten food yet, but Mr. Sewell was digging in to his.

Delly met us at the table, a small frown on her face. “They said Pops wasn’t feeling well. He’s upstairs napping.”

We shared a heavy look. It was a daily struggle to get used to grief and gratitude holding the same place. He was struggling, but we were here to see him through it.

“We’ll check on him after lunch,” I assured her .

Everyone else headed toward the food, but when Ireland didn’t get up, I tapped her on the shoulder. “Can I get you something while I’m over there?”

She and Beck both looked up at me, and my eyes flitted between them.

“Another slice of cake,” Beck said.

Ireland turned toward him with a frown. He looked like he was searching his memory for something, but after a few moments, he gave up with a shrug and pushed his plate away.

I smiled at him, but he didn’t see it. “Sure thing, Mr. Sewell.”

He ignored me as he whipped a carton of crayons from his breast pocket and started doodling on a napkin.

“And you?” I asked Ireland.

She shrugged. “Thanks, but I’m good. I’ll get something in a minute.”

“Okay,” I said, and Mr. Sewell looked up from his doodles and looked directly at me, then back down, then back up again.

Was he… drawing me?

He cocked his head to the side, sending his wavy, silvery hair swaying, studying me intently.

When he went back to drawing again, I shared a look with Ireland, who offered me another shrug.

But when I smiled and shrugged back, she smiled too.

And that felt like the biggest victory.