In the Grey by A. M. Kusi

Author:A. M. Kusi [Kusi, A. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Our Peaceful Family

22

Emma

The sun was setting by the time they reached the California coast. The ride was mostly silent with Hozier on the radio. The windows were down; the wind whipped Emma’s hair free. She closed her eyes, leaning her head towards the door, scenery passing in a blur as Link drove them along the highway through Malibu towards Topanga Beach.

A heaviness descended like a cloud with the reality of what they were here to do—say a final goodbye to their papa. Link’s sinewy forearms had remained tense the last hour of the journey, his shoulders rising to his ears. She was sure he’d have a headache from all the jaw clenching he’d done on the last leg of the journey.

As long as she’d stayed busy, she had been able to keep the grief at bay. But now it was staring her in the face, bearing down on her with the silence.

She reached over and took one of his hands from the wheel before resting it on her thigh and wrapping hers on top protectively. If she cared for him and focused on his pain, she could push hers further away. He needed her to be strong for him. It seemed he was teetering on the edge of a breakdown, barely holding it together. Emma would be there to pick up the pieces, hold him up, and support him. She’d always loved him. Maybe he’d see that after this trip. Maybe he’d see that she was good for him. That no one on earth could love him like she did.

He flicked the blinker on and pulled into Mastros Ocean Club, off to the left. Waves crashed against the beach to the side of the restaurant. Inhaling the salty ocean breeze, she shoved thoughts of what they were about to do out of her mind.

Turning to Link, she asked, “Ready?”

“Let’s grab dinner first.”

Was he delaying the inevitable just a little longer? I don’t want to say goodbye either—don’t want this to be the end.

She rolled up the window and followed him inside. He asked for a table overlooking the beach below. They were seated by a giant window. The server came and took their order.

Their drinks and food were brought, all with silence between them. Her gaze snagged on him. His face turned towards the setting sun. Red and pink light cast him in burned sunset shadows. The edges on his face, sharp and somber. The deep tone of his skin seemed more bronze under the soft light. One would think black eyes couldn’t be that expressive, but his were—like the night of a new moon. They had a powerful energy that drew her in. There were a million shades of emotions swimming in those raven pools. Pain. Anger. Guilt. Sorrow. Grief.

What she wouldn’t give to take a fraction of his pain away. She pushed the pasta around on her plate before taking a long gulp of the expensive wine she’d ordered. “You should eat.” She motioned to his meal.

Link flinched as if just realizing he wasn’t alone.

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