It's more thanokay. My jaw drops."So you CAN be neat and organized!"
For a second he looks as surprised as Iamat the joke.WhoamI right now?But then he shoots me a wink."Eh, if the situation demands it, I can rise to almostanyoccasion."He waggles his eyebrows at me.
My phone buzzes again. It's Carson, confirming my leave. He insists I take at least three days.
"The team will understand,"Jamie says after I end thecall. He's arranging my toiletries."We've got this for you. I promise."
"I should talk to Louis before—"
"I already texted him. He's meeting us for coffee downstairsbeforeyour ride gets here."
Us. Like we're a unit. I don't want to admit how good that feels.Havingsomeoneto help me.Someoneto just be there. For me.
Ishouldprotest. Ishouldkeep my boundaries secure, and remain professional. But I can't do it. The feeling ofhavingsomeonelook out for me is addictive.
A knock on the door announces breakfast.Jamieanswers while I'm still frozen in place, struggling with how to handle all this... care.
"Eat first,"hesays, setting a plate in front of me."Everything else can wait ten minutes."
"Jamie."His name comes out somewhere between grateful and panicked.
Our eyes lock, and that connection settles something inside me.
"I know this is hard for you—acceptinghelp,"hesays."But just...letme do this, okay? Please?"He's so sincere. He so genuinely wants tohelpme with my fucking mess of a life that I can barely comprehend it.
The lump in my throat threatens to choke me, but I manage to nod.
"Good."His smile is soft."Now eat your eggsbeforethey get cold. Louis will kill me if Iletyou fly on an empty stomach."
A laugh escapes before I can stop it. "You're ridiculous."
"Maybe."He shrugs, but his eyes are warm."Is it working?"
More than you'll ever know..."Shut up and pass the coffee." I wink at him.I fucking wink.
His hand brushes mine as he hands me the mug. Blackcoffeewith two sugars. I don't pull away.
Baby steps.
Louis is already in the lobby when we step off the elevator, three coffee cups on the table in front of him. His usual mischievous grin is nowhere in sight.
Jamie's knee presses against mine under the table, and I have to fight not to lean into his warmth. Not out in the open like this. The early morning lobby is mostly empty, but my skin prickles with paranoia anyway.
"My folks send their love,"Lou continues, and my chest tightens at the mention of his parents. The Tremblays were my second family after Mom died. Their kitchen table was a refuge I desperately needed when my dad started drinking."Mom is furious she's not there to help, but she's making calls. Apparently, she's still friends with half the nurses in Northern Ontario."
"Thanks."I clear my throat."For handling stuff while I'm gone."
"Don't worry about the team."Lou's voice is firm."We've got this covered. You just focus on your dad."
I nod, not trusting my voice. Jamie's hand finds my knee under the table, squeezing gently before he pulls away.
"And Ry?"Lou's expression softens."Let people help this time, yeah? No more lone wolf bullshit."
I want to protest so I can keep that careful distance that's always been between me and everyone else. Including my best friend.
But Jamie's warm hand returns to my knee, squeezing it again, reminding me that he's right here beside me. That I'm going to be okay. And Lou's watching me with thirty years of friendship in his eyes.Maybe…
"Yeah," I manage. "Okay."
