#Chapter 60: Let’s Be Friends

Our game of tag lasted for another twenty minutes or so before Elva finally tired and wanted to pick flowers instead. Susie sat with her, teaching her how to make a flower crown with her gathered collection. Mark stood nearby, watchful. Nicholas and I sat in the grass a few yards off. I’d been pleased when he chose to sit beside me. I felt like there was much regarding his conversation with Julian that he had been keeping from me. He was relaxed, resting back on his elbows with his long legs stretched out in front of him. His typically perfectly styled hair was a bit windswept from running. He looked perfect and comfortable, and in another life, I would have stretched out alongside him and buried my face into his neck. Now, I maintained my careful distance. I teased, “I hope you were too tough on Julian.” At once, I regretted the words. The softness in Nicholas’s face hardened. He pushed himself into sitting upright. “He’s still in one piece, don’t worry,” he said gruffly. I tr