Free mate

Avoiding hugs

We sat there talking for a little longer until the bell at the door rings and a middle-aged woman comes in, marching straight to us. Her brown hair is graying but it suits her strong posture and beautiful face. She's tall and the black boots with small heels bring even more height, I have to look up as she approaches. I knew she had to be related to Lina even before Lina greeted her.

"Hey Ma", Lina smiles at her when she gets to our table. The woman ruffles her hair and I almost laugh, Lina's face and the way she ducks her head looked so much like Matt's reaction when Lina did the same thing to him earlier. Lina rolls her eyes but she's smiling. They have the same effortless charisma that made me feel invisible.

"Hi pumpkin", it's strange to see such easy affection from a woman who looks as strict as her, "you must be Kate." She offers her hand and I shake it, her grip is firm and warm.

"I'm Maria, lovely to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too", I give a shy smile back. She makes me feel small and young but I immediately like the woman even though I'm a little scared of her. Maria sits down next to me and turns to give Lina a look I can't read.

"Peter is coming for his shift soon." Lina looks down at the table and nods quietly. Maria continues talking to me before I get a chance to figure out what the exchange was about.

"Kate, I need to get to work now but I'd like to talk to you. Do you think you could come over tomorrow? Lina can show you where we live or I can pick you up."

My first instinct is to say no and run away. I don't have anything I would like to talk about, especially with a stranger. Her brown eyes look straight into me and I reluctantly nod. There's time until tomorrow, I could figure a way out. She would certainly ask about Daniel which is a topic I do my best to avoid thinking since even now as his name crosses my mind there's something deep in my chest making it hard to breathe. Maria smiles softly and gets up, putting on the apron she had in her bag.

"I'll see you later, have fun girls." When she's gone down the stairs Lina pulls away from the table and reaches for her stuff.

"I'm going, do you want to stay or come with me?" She looks stressed, glancing at the door. Maria mentioned Peter but she didn't seem to think he was dangerous, just someone Lina would like to avoid. I wanted to ask what he'd done to her but that could lead to her asking questions from me. It was safer to keep that distance no matter how curious I was.

"I'll come", I say. Even if I would be fine here I didn't want to meet Peter if Lina avoided him. I don't have anything with me so I wait for her to shove her phone and apron into the bag and lead the way out. I hadn't realized how tired I was until I stood up and my legs felt numb. Lina rushed out and gave a relieved sigh when we got away from the cafe.

"Sorry, it's just a little awkward with me and Peter, I'll explain later. I can walk you home if you want?" I had no idea where the apartment was.

"Yes please." Lina started walking on, leading me in the right direction. It could have been easy to find since in my panic I just ran straight but I wasn't sure which way I ran to from the door and I had no idea what the building looked like on the outside. All the tall buildings looked similar and I focus on finding landmarks. I make note of all colorful buildings and small statues, trying to spell street names in a rush and only getting halfway while listening to Lina talk.

"So tomorrow I can come to pick you up. I'll call Sera or something to figure out the time unless you have something planned?"

"That's sounds good." We stop in front of a building with glass doors and golden wolves above the door. Lina pushes the door open and steps in front of another set of steel doors, pressing a button. The doors slide open.

"It's the seventh floor and when you step out of the elevator turn right. I'll see you tomorrow." I think Lina is about to hug me so I quickly step in the elevator and smile at her, avoiding the touch. It felt nice when she held my hands and when Sera laid with me as a wolf but a hug felt like it would be too much.

"Thank you for helping today", I see a button with seven and press it, waving at Lina as the doors close.