“Thank you. Coming here was the best decision ever. If not for your party and my killer hangover, I don’t think I would have given Farco a chance. He was so incredibly sweet, though, when I was puking out my guts. He cleaned up everything like it was no big deal then just played with my hair because it made my head feel better.”
I snorted.
“He was playing with your hair because he wanted to touch you.”
Cheri shrugged.
“I don’t mind if he got a little something out of it. Last night, I got the best foot rub of my life.” A blush flared to life in her cheeks. “He’s so attentive.”
“Let me guess,” I said. “You groaned a little, and he started in on your calves. When you groaned again, he went a little higher.”
She looked shocked then hurt.
“So it’s a game?” she asked.
“Don’t mind Hannah,” Emily said, quickly cutting me off. “It’s not a game. But keep in mind that the fey didn’t even know what a woman was until after the quakes. We’re so new to them, and they’re so clueless about what makes us tick. When one of them finds something a girl likes, they do information share. It’s not a game; it’s an honest effort to learn what makes us happy because they really do want to make us happy.”
Cheri’s glance slid to me, looking for confirmation.
“It’s true. Happy girls want to stay. But girls who stay tend to get knocked up. You ready for his feyby?”
She cringed a little, and Emily reached out to pat her leg.
“Don’t worry about babies. Just take things slow and see if you enjoy his company, first. Fey really are attentive.”
Cheri gave a slow nod, a little more troubled looking than before, as Emily hustled us out the door.
“We spent thirty minutes listening to the last one whine, and now you’re rushing? Not enough whining from Cheri for you?” I asked.
Emily shot me a dark look.
“Just because you’re miserable doesn’t mean you need to make everyone else miserable.”
“Whoa, that is not what I was doing. I was telling her the truth.”
Emily exhaled heavily.
“The truth delivered in a negative way to stir drama.”
I snorted.
“Pot calling the kettle there.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked.
“We’re focused on all the houses that have new girls so you can prod them into giving the fey a chance. If that isn’t stirring drama, I don’t know what is.”
“It’s me caring about them enough during a time of transition to check in on their mental wellbeing. This shit isn’t easy on anyone, Hannah. Maybe you should try looking beyond yourself and your own misery for a while.”
Shit. I was losing her.
Taking a deep breath, I walked by her side for the count of twenty then spoke.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s not about me. I’m just worried that, if all the girls and fey start matching up, we’ll be next.”
“I know, Hannah. But did you ever stop to consider what that would mean for us? No more parties. Constant food. Would that be so bad?”
“If that’s what you want from this life, no, that wouldn’t be bad. It’s not what I want though, so don’t ask me to go there.”
“Fair enough.”
No matter how much my hands shook or my stomach twisted or my head hurt, I behaved for the remainder of the day. And I was full of relief when we left the last house and headed for James and Mary’s place.
“I’m really hoping for something good,” I said a little breathlessly. Nothing felt good, and all of the walking around was making it worse.
“Me too,” Emily said. “Those cookies were too salty.”
I made a non-committal noise. Not only was I not talking about food, but I’d also had the smarts not to eat the deformed balls Emily had.
James called for us to enter after Emily’s first knock. We let ourselves in and took off our jackets and boots.
“Well, this is a surprise,” James said when he saw me. “Twice in a week.”
“It’s a new week,” I deadpanned.
He laughed. “Could be. But, I didn’t think I’d see you again so soon. Glad you’re here, though. Now Ma can stop scolding me about keeping my mouth shut.”
A true smile lifted my lips. He and Mary thought I’d left because of his fey talk. Perfect. Guilt was good.
“What have you two been up to today?” he asked. “Ma said she saw you earlier.”
“Saw us?” Emily asked.
“She went to the supply shed. There was a good supply run