“Morning,” I replied, and my voice came out softer than I intended.
He glanced down at the napkins, then back at me. “I was told these are urgent.”
I blinked. “Napkins.”
“Yes.” He nodded gravely. “Apparently we are in a napkin crisis, although I’m not sure what the crisis actually is.”
I let out a laugh, surprised by how easily it came. “Lydia.”
Braxton’s mouth curved. “Lydia.”
I stopped beside him. For a second, we just stood there, close enough that I could feel the warmth of him without touching. My brain offered me a dozen things to say, but none of them seemed necessary.
He tilted his head. “How are you?”
“I’m… good,” I said carefully, then decided to be braver. “Better than yesterday.”
His expression softened. “Me too.”
The air between us felt quiet and safe. Not heavy. Not awkward. Just… present.
A door opened somewhere behind us and the illusion of privacy vanished. Meri appeared with a clipboard, as always, eyes scanning. She spotted us and immediately paused, a smile blooming like she had discovered a rare bird in the wild.
“Oh,” she said, delighted.
“Meri,” I warned.
“I am not saying anything.” She leaned in slightly, stage whispering anyway. “But if you two stand any closer, everyone will know.”
Braxton coughed, trying to hide a laugh. I felt my cheeks warm.
Meri gave Braxton an approving nod. “Good morning, Mr. Hale. Thank you for continuing to exist in a helpful manner.”
“Happy to,” he replied.
Meri’s eyes flicked past me down the hallway toward the kitchen. Her entire expression sharpened.
“I am going to intercept something,” she announced, then marched off like she was on a mission.
Braxton watched her go. “Is Meri always like that?”
“Yes,” I said.
He looked faintly impressed. “I respect it.”
“So do I,” I admitted.
We carried the napkins into the kitchen together. Braxton began folding napkins on the prep table like he had done this his whole life.
I moved beside him, automatically falling into rhythm when Lydia’s voice echoed from the hallway before she disappeared again.
“Jane. No, not like that. The corners need to be sharp.”
I closed my eyes briefly. “Lydia has never folded a napkin in her life.”
Braxton’s smile twitched. “I have noticed she operates mostly on confidence.”
“That is Lydia,” I replied.
