CHAPTER 1
JORDAN
Traffic crawls through downtown, but I crank the music up and whistle along, in no hurry at all, thanks to leaving early. Like everything else in my life, my mornings are controlled. Planned to the minute. Padded with extra time. Because you can’t be late anywhere when you always leave early.
On the passenger’s seat, my phone buzzes with texts from work, but I ignore it. Usually, I’d be answering all of them. It doesn’t matter that I’m not yet on the clock.
This morning is different, though. It’s time for my weekly breakfast with my sister, and when it comes to her, everything takes a back seat. Especially considering the hell she’s been through the last few months.
Poncho’s Diner appears at the corner, and I hit the gas to make a quick turn and snag a parking spot. Grabbing my phone, I quickly glance at the messages—someone needs a referral, and today’s afternoon meeting is being pushed to tomorrow.
My fingers itch to answer everyone, but instead I put the phone on silent and pocket it. Through the diner’s long windows, Icatch sight of my sister, blond hair pulled back in a ponytail and her shoulders slumped forward.
The sight of her makes my chest clench tight. Of course I’ll ask, but I already know she’s not doing well. And I also know that she’ll lie and tell me everything is fine. A stiff upper lip is in her nature, just like it is in mine, and even though we aren’t related by blood, there are some things that have shaped the two of us in indescribable ways.
Closing my car door, I head into the diner. I only have an hour before I need to be in the oncology department, and I intend on not wasting a minute.
Amy spots me from across the diner, her whole face lighting up. She waves, but then her attention quickly shifts to the baby carrier. Henry, six months old, has started fussing, and Amy pulls a bottle out of the baby bag.
The love on her face is obvious, but so is the fatigue. Again, my chest tightens. I really should be around more. Make more time to help her out. Make more time to just be there. I’ve helped her out in every financial way possible this year, including paying for house cleaners and a meal-delivery service—things she’s always tried to wave off but that I know she appreciates—but I should spend more time with my family.
They’re all I’ve got. I’m all they have.
But work is… well, work. And if the three of us are going to be together more…
“You should really consider my offer,” I say, sliding into the booth across from her.
She gives me a flat look. “Again, thank you, but I can’t move in with you.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want to leave our home.” She looks away. “Cole and I planned on spending the rest of our lives there. It’s our forever home.”
It’s our forever home. I wonder if she realizes that sometimes she talks about her husband like he’s still here instead of five months in the grave.
“I can hire you some more help.”
She smiles, but it’s a tired one. “I don’t want it, but thank you.”
I nod, but really, I don’t understand. Even though I’m busy working seventy-plus hours a week, I do what I can to get Amy out of her shell. Trouble is, I can’t tell if she’s still grieving over losing Cole, or if she’s settled into a new lifestyle—that of a hermit.
If it’s the latter, it can’t be good for her.
“How are things with you?” She smoothly changes the topic.
“Good.” I pick up the menu, even though I already know what I’ll be ordering.
“Good?” She cocks an eyebrow.
“Yeah.” I smile… but then feel guilty about it.
“Youcanbe happy, Jordan. I want you to be.”
Sighing, I lean forward. I know I can be happy if I want, but it hurts to see her still so down. Not only does she have to deal withlosing her husband, but she’s raising a baby on her own. The worst part is that Cole only got a month with his son, and I know that kills Amy more than anything else.
“Here. Let me help.” I take the bottle from Amy, but apparently, I’m not holding it right because Henry starts fussing.
“You can just give it to him,” she says. “He can hold it on his own now.”
