BROKEN VOWS

Chapter Twelve. Friends?

Rainbow's POV.

As I sipped my tea, I took a moment to study Hunter's profile. His eyes were closed, his lashes casting a faint shadow on his cheeks. His face, normally a picture of calm, now seemed etched with fatigue and a hint of sorrow. A faint crease furrowed his brow, and his lips were pressed together as if holding back unspoken thoughts.

I felt a pang of concern, wondering what was troubling him. Was it something from his past, or a current worry that weighed heavily on his mind? I longed to ask, to offer some comfort or support, but Hunter's closed eyes and muttered words suggested he wasn't ready to share his burdens.

So I let the silence stretch, a comfortable, peaceful silence that filled the space between us. We sipped our tea; the only sound was the gentle clinking of cups and the quiet hum of the room. It was a moment of stillness, a fleeting respite from the world outside, and I was grateful to share it with Hunter.

The silence between us was surprisingly comfortable, a warm and soothing blanket that wrapped around our quiet moments together. Unlike the awkward pauses that often plagued conversations between acquaintances, our stillness was filled with a sense of ease and companionship. We simply sat, sipping our tea, lost in our thoughts, yet somehow connected in a way that transcended words.

As I sat there, I couldn't help but think of Ben and me, back when our love was new and full of life. We'd spend lazy weekends in our yard, watching the sun filter through the trees, and listening to the birds sing their sweet melodies. Ben would take my hand, and we'd sit together in comfortable silence, feeling the warmth of each other's presence. It was a feeling I thought I'd never experience again, but here I was, sitting with Hunter, feeling a sense of peace and connection that I hadn't felt in a long time.

Memories of Ben and me flooded my mind, bittersweet and tender. I recalled the lazy afternoons we'd spend together, nibbling on dark chocolate cookies while snuggled up close. Ben's hands would always find their way to my hair, gently running his fingers through the strands, sending shivers down my spine. But those moments were now nothing more than a distant memory, a fleeting glimpse of a love that had long since faded.

As the nostalgia washed over me, a pang of sadness settled in my chest. I shook my head, trying to clear the melancholy that threatened to overwhelm me. In an attempt to shake off the sorrow, I began humming a tune that had been stuck in my head for days.

Hunter's voice broke the spell, pulling me back to the present. "What are you humming to?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. I turned to him, a faint smile on my lips. I hesitated, trying to articulate the inexplicable connection I felt to the song.

"Oh, it's just a song that's been stuck in my head for days... for some reason, humming it makes me feel at peace. I must have heard it on the radio or something," I explained, my voice trailing off.

Hunter's eyes locked onto mine, his attention riveted on me. "Oh? Can I hear it?" he asked, his voice low and inviting. I felt a flutter in my chest as I met his gaze, suddenly self-conscious under his intense scrutiny.

Despite my discomfort, I took a deep breath and began to hum the haunting melody. Hunter's eyes never left mine, his expression absorbed and interested. He listened with an unnerving intensity as if trying to unravel the secrets hidden within the song. When I finished, he nodded thoughtfully, his eyes still holding mine.

Hunter's eyes sparkled with a nostalgic glint as he said, "I know the song, my sister used to sing it to me all the time." I felt a jolt of surprise, my eyebrows rising in inquiry. "Really?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity.