Breaking the friendship

Esme managed a weak smile, his words warming her heart. She shook her head, not wanting to ruin the evening with her troubles. "It's nothing. I just felt squeezy a bit."

"You threw up!"

Esme offered a sheepish nod, her lower lip forming a pout. "But I'm all better now." In an attempt to lighten the mood, she linked her arm playfully through his, batting her eyelashes coquettishly.

"Don't even think about disappearing on me again," he warned, rubbing her nose playfully.

"I am here with you." Esme chirped, leaning into his touch. The warmth of his presence chased away the remnants of her glum mood, a lightness returning to her spirit. "I am a bit hungry. Shall we go eat?"

Silas raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Aren't you the one who just, well... thrown up? Can you eat?"

Esme cut him off with a playful swat at his arm. "Yes, yes, I threw up. But trust me – I could eat a horse right now."