Beneath the Lavender Sky

d had s

hispered warnings. The sky was overcast, dimming the rich purple blooms

t just in the weath

No quiet knock on the door. No off

ed not

imply needed space. But deep down, she knew better

crates with more force than necessary. The muscles

ing me," she

slowly turned to face her. His

talk t

orking

at I meant and

the crate, rubbing a hand over his face. For a

ur painting

pped. "The one

with me

anything by it. I just... I p

w, really looked. "And

n't soft either. It was strained -

fe. Like maybe I'v

way. "Don't

y n

ely above a whisper. "I know what that feels like. I was he

breath

" she

e. We were engage

O

ver wanted to stay. She wanted to fix herself here, then return to the real world. And

" Lila said,

ou haven't told me wh

n hit her l

secret," she said, barely audible. "For three years, I loved a man who swore he

oftened slightly.

thought love meant being patient. But patience t

cautiously. "You don'

," she said. "I'm ashamed that

d at his shirt and rustled the crates. Finall

scared of this," he

am

th the weight of their broken histories between them. A

ser, and Daniel

wayed around t

said it out loud, both we

on't bre