Tilly and the Crazy Eights by Monique Gray Smith

Author:Monique Gray Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Second Story Press
Published: 2018-08-21T15:52:22+00:00

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Connection

THE TRIP BACK to the tour office was fairly quiet, everyone lost in their own thoughts. When they arrived, Tilly said a quick good-bye. She grabbed her pack and headed off to find a coffee shop, seeking time and space to write and capture all that had transpired for her on the tour. Along the way, she came across a store promoting healing massages, crystals, and energy work. Tilly loved stores like this and decided the coffee shop and writing could wait.

Tilly found a heart-shaped rose quartz for Piper and a beautiful piece of hematite for Mick’s office desk, but her greatest find was a necklace for herself. It was made of mala beads and had a rose quartz hanging at the end. The write-up beside it said, “When worn, it promotes self-love.” Perfect, she thought to herself, just what I need. She slipped it over her head and took the tag and her gifts up to the till. On her way out, Tilly noticed Rob browsing the book section. She paused, unconsciously brushing her bangs out of her eyes and considered, Do I? But before she could decide, Rob turned around and his face lit up. “Hey, I was hoping I’d run into you again!”

Tilly looked away for a moment, trying to act aloof. She’d been so involved with herself on the tour that there had been very little interaction between them, but she was intrigued and most definitely attracted to him. More than she wanted to admit, actually, and it had her feeling nervous.

Tilly cinched her backpack up over her shoulder and replied, “Hey yourself.”

“What a great store,” he said, turning momentarily back to the bookshelf, running his hand over the books. “Always so hard to choose just one.”

She knew exactly what he meant. Books were one of Tilly’s few indulgences. She always had a pile beside her bed, in the living room, and in her office.

Rob turned and walked over to where Tilly was standing. “Looks like you found a few things.”

Tilly lifted her shopping bag and glanced up at him. “Gifts for my daughter,” she said, pausing for a moment and swallowing. She wished now that she’d shared more in the introduction circle so she could have avoided this awkward moment, but she hadn’t and now, for some reason, she felt like she needed to tell him. It all came tumbling out too fast. “And my husband. Because I’m married. I’m happily married. So, so, I bought him a gift.” She looked toward the door, repeated hurriedly, “Because, I’m happily married.”

She could not believe she had just said that. All of that. What was it about this man that discombobulated her? Tilly took a deep breath and rubbed her lips together, avoiding Rob’s eyes. She secretly wished the floor would open up and suck her into some dark abyss, away from this man who had her rambling and acting strange.

“I know you’re married.”

She turned her head toward him and their eyes connected. Rob spoke just loud enough for Tilly to hear.

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