- RAYA -
Dex rubs his chin, gazing at me as he considers my question, and then something happens and his eyes drop to the floor with a shy smile. This physically strong man… so impressive by appearance… and I think I've made him blush.
"I shouldn't have asked that," I say quickly, folding my hands back together in my lap. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking."
"No, it's a fair question," he chuckles. "I just… I don't remember my dreams. If I even have any, that is. My mother died several years ago, and afterward I would have the worst nightmares all the time. I wasn't sleeping at all. I was afraid to sleep, actually."
He stands from where he was still crouched in front of me, squeezing my knee gently like it's reassurance that he is not leaving—I haven't scared him off—and then he returns to the chair he was in.
"I'm sorry to hear that," I swallow, feeling the edges of that abyss start to yawn back toward me again at the mention of death.
"Thank you, Raya."
