Thwaites & Thompson

Brother

Thwaites

I take her hand before we step into the shop and lift it to my face to place a kiss on the back of her hand.
"I'm sorry."
"For the mockery-I didn't mean to-" She shook her head and smiled at me.

"It triggered Nala-" I add and she shakes her head again.

"It's okay." She spoke softly and I nodded before holding the door open for her.

"What's it going to be?" I ask Tess after we spend a moment scanning the menu on the screens before us.

"Cinnamon Latte." She nodded.

"You need to eat something too."
"I'm getting myself a blueberry muffin. Are you a fan?" I ask. She shrugged a little and then she nodded.

"Sure?" I ask and she nods again.

"Okay..." I step ahead and she steps beside me.

"Can I umm-pay for those?" She asks and I smile a little, giving her a 'Seriously now?' look.

"I'll take that as a no..." She gulped, lowering her gaze politely.

I list our order and we walk away to the nearest table.

We sit opposite to each other and each of us chose to skim through their phones when the silence stretched.

I realize she hasn't answered my question so I ask again.

"So..."
"Are you back with Oliver?" I nodded once and she lowered her phone.

"No..." She shook her head.

A moment later our order arrives and we both set our phones aside.

"Are you late for something?" I ask just in case.

"No..." She shook her head casually.

"I'm just going to look for apartments..." She spoke.

I frowned a little.
I'm pretty sure she told me she found one...

"I thought you said you found one..." I lowered my gaze.

"I did..." She paused.

"I'm just-having second thoughts..." She said and I nodded.

"I want to keep my options open." She nodded once.

"Where are you looking?" I asked and she shrugged.

"Just-everywhere..." She chuckled and I mustered a smile.

"I can ask around for you." I offer and she nods.

Then the silence stretches again...
It was unbearable and I couldn't think of anything to say...

"Cole texted..." I inform her.
"They're thinking about going on another trip soon."
"You should come along..." I nodded.

"Where?" She asked.

"Anywhere by the beach."
"It's where we usually go." I answered and she smiled.

She nodded, but I read the hesitance in her eyes.

"I'll keep you updated." I nodded.

"Do you love him? Oliver..." I ask in favor of breaking the ice and killing both my curiosity and confusion...

She stared at me for a while and then she set her cup of coffee down.

"I don't know..." She shrugged a little.
"He has always been there..."
"Ever since..."
She glanced at me and I nodded.
Ever since her parents passed away...