Page 24

Chapter twenty-four

Nora

Nora’s heart felt light after the seeing the sunset, and the cookie. The sugary sweetness lingered and gave her an extra sense of comfort.

Once back in the garage, Nora climbed out of the hover, not reaching for Simon’s outstretched hand after he lifted Tilly down. She didn’t take it this time because of indifference or fear. No, Nora just didn’t like how her stomach quivered when Simon touched her. The feelings were getting stronger and confusing her more every day. She avoided his eyes as they both began to unload the hover. Best to avoid that altogether. It didn’t matter that it was happening regardless of her attempts to ignore.

Each of them took a few bags and carried their purchases inside, laying them on the chipped counter. Nora was then busy organizing, reaching high to put things away.

Simon stopped helping after a minute, and Nora turned around to see him crack a few eggs into the skillet, burner already started.

She finished folding the fabric shopping bags and put them to the side. “We got the bars, Simon. Been a long day. Don’t need to. . .”

A few cut potatoes followed the eggs. “I don’t mind cooking. But I noticed you didn’t buy many ingredients.”

Nora shifted her feet. “Yeah, well, the money.”

Simon’s gaze was cutting. “You didn’t spend it all I thought?”

Nora backed away, lining up some of the dried produce. “Well, I am trying to get my savings up. Kind of cleaned them out a bit.” She bit down, not wanting to say any more. The wires to fix you weren’t so cheap.

Simon put away a jar of flour before grabbing a few potatoes and cutting them to add to the eggs. His fingers drummed on the counter before he bit out, “I don’t like this. Seeing you struggle.”

Nora’s mouth went dry. She let out a breathy chuckle while pulling on her hair. “I don’t like it either. But we’re doing okay. Here—need me to cook?”

A huff left Simon. “No, Nora. I like doing this.”

Tilly pulled on Nora’s sleeve. “Listen with me tonight?”

Nora took in her eager expression and then back at Simon cooking, feeling torn. He seems a bit upset?

Simon took the decision out of her hands. “I’ll bring the food in a minute and then listen as well.”

The tugging on her sleeve from Tilly became more insistent and Nora followed, glancing back at Simon frying some of the cut potatoes as well. “Alright.”

Before sitting next to Tilly, already pressed close to the radio, Nora took the leftover money and put it in the nightstand next to her bed. The radio had already started its nightly melody indicating the start of the show. But Nora’s eyes were drawn through the doorway, watching Simon as he moved in the kitchen with his backside facing her.

She shook her head to clear her mind but her eyes couldn’t help just resting on him in the kitchen. At the way his muscles flexed when he moved. What is wrong with me? She thought of what Anna’s reaction would be if she knew what he really was. I’m getting feelings for an android.

The radio’s tinny quality rang out after a chime signaling an emergency broadcast. Nora turned away from watching Simon to focus on the plastic speaker. “An alert is issued for an atmosphere sweep to take place on Sunday, June twenty-third. Please plan and take necessary precautions. It is unwise to travel during this time.”

The speaker droned on and Nora was so focused she didn’t notice Simon coming in. He sat next to her, putting a worn metal plate of eggs and part of a bar on her lap. The place where their legs touched felt on fire and she adjusted herself to the side. She picked up her fork. “Oh, thank you.”

“Of course.” His tone was a bit off as he handed an identical plate to Tilly. “Atmosphere sweep? Four more days?”

Nora answered before eating. “Yeah. Maybe one more scrap trip before it happens. Should be enough time to do that and then get to town.”

“Yes. Your supplies in the kitchen are lower than they should be.” That off tone was still present in his voice.

Nora swallowed the eggs. “You okay? Seem kind of sad.”

Simon pressed his lips together. “It’s nothing, Nora. I think everything is just connecting for me now. And . . . why have your supplies gotten so low?”

A flush went through her. “It doesn’t matter. There’s still enough.”

Simon’s lips pressed together tighter.

The radio announcement played again before switching back over to Tilly’s programming. Nora held up the food and elbowed him. “This is good, thank you.”

Simon gave a small smile to her and then Tilly, watching the little girl shovel the food in. “Food still cooks the same. Even if it is a bit different.”

Nora swallowed. She reached over and touched his leg. “Simon, with you here, we can build up supplies a lot easier. It's okay. Do you worry about running out of things too?”

It was with a hesitant tone that Simon answered, “Not before. There was plenty before. But I do now.”

Tilly scraped the plate and used her finger to get the last crumbs. “But you got your batteries!” A reminder chime came on the radio. “Shh—my show is starting!”

The radio got turned louder, but Nora heard Simon say softly underneath it, making her heart flip-flop, “Yes, but you don’t.”