Safe

VIII

Theo

I take a look in the direction of Naomi who is sitting on the couch with one of her books. From her facial expression, the story must be good.

Liam is sitting at the table in the computer.

It's been three days since we got here. Three days since my little slip with her.

The truth is, when I saw her looking out the window, I was attracted to her presence. By the vanilla smell she emanated.

Very little has happened around here.

Time is divided between video calls with Peter, who have not come to anything because Mancini is missing and it has not yet been discovered who his FBI infiltrators are, between card games, readings in Naomi's case and lake walks.

The redhead has also been dedicated to drawing, although I haven't seen any of her work, unlike Liam.

They both seem to have established a friendship. And I don't know what to feel about that.

As if realizing my gaze, Naomi finally looks away from the paper and looks in the direction of the kitchen. Our gaze crosses and she smiles at me.

There's no denying it. She's pretty. That fire-colored hair, those expressive green eyes, those freckles.

I turn my back on her.

I'm not Liam. Definitely!

Seconds later I hear the door that gives access to the lake slamming. Hard!

"What have you done now?" asks Liam.

Still with my back to the room and starting to put coffee in a cup, I answer:

"Nothing."

"You have to leave your animosity towards her. I think that..."

I turn around looking at him with a defiant look.

Liam raises his hands in sign of surrender and gets up.

" I've got the lists of things. I'm going to the nearest town to get what i'm asked to do. Is there anything else you want to add?"

"No!" I respond

"The trip may take some time, since the nearest town is two hours from here, plus the time it will take me to buy things... I think I'll only be here by the end of the day." Liam says approaching the door from which Naomi left. "Try not to kill each other."

Before I can say anything, Liam slams the door and heads to the redhead sitting on the floating pier.

I see her, through the kitchen window, getting up when he's there. They both exchange a few words and then I see them, for the first time, hugging each other.

Fuck!

I put the cup in the sink, snapping it and splashing coffee everywhere and leave the kitchen towards my room.

Shit!