Just stands there, his shoulders rigid, his whole frame controlled.
I don’t know what possesses me. Call it cliché. Or maybe the Holy Spirit. Or maybe just a blip in my ability to read the room.
“Would it be okay if I prayed?” I ask quietly. “For both of you?”
Both men turn to stare at me. Robert glances at Brody. Then back at me. What in heaven was I thinking? No, of course they don’t want me to?—
“Actually, that’d be nice—yeah,” Robert says.
Oh. Okay then.
I set down the hot chocolate. Close my eyes.
“God, I don’t really know what to say here. This is messy and complicated and probably way above my pay grade. But I’m asking—please be with Robert. Lay a healing hand on him, Father, and give him strength for whatever comes next.” My voice suddenly feels raw as I continue. “And be with Brody. Give him peace. Help him know he’s not alone. Please, Lord, helpboth of them know they’re loved. Even when things are hard. Especially when things are hard. Amen.”
The room feels quiet, still. My eyes feel heavy when I finally open them.
Robert is staring at me, eyes shining.
“Thank you,” he says quietly.
“You’re welcome.”
Brody is looking at me with this expression I can’t quite read.
I reach out, thread my fingers through his, and squeeze.You are not alone, Brody Kane.
Another heavy beat passes, and suddenly I remember?—
“Oh, the hot chocolate!” I retrieve the mugs I’d set down on the nearby table and hand one to Robert. “I know it’s a little adolescent, but there’s something about hot chocolate. A good warm mug in my hands can make any moment feel bearable.”
Robert looks at the mug with curiosity, turns his gaze back to me, his eyes twinkling. “I can see why Brody was so smitten with you after Barcelona.”
Brody’s head snaps up, no longer focused on his mug of cocoa.
“You are the Chloe from Barcelona, aren’t you?” Robert asks.
“How do you—” I turn to Brody. “How does he know about Barcelona?”
A mortified look washes over Brody’s face. “You know what, Dad? I think it’s time for you to get some rest.” He gives his dad a look as if to addBefore you stir up any more trouble.
“Right,” Robert says, apparently taking the hint. “I’m all set here. Why don’t you two get back to your date. I’m sorry I held you up.”
Brody places a hand on my lower back, heat immediately soaking through, and leads us toward the door.
“Good night, Robert. It was really nice to meet you. Get some rest.”
“Thank you, Chloe.”
The house feels quiet, the old floorboards creaking beneath our feet as we move out to the front hall. Brody takes a seat on the carpeted stairs, cupping his mug. I sit down beside him, our shoulders brushing.
“So…” I say, looking into my milky-brown mug. “How is it that your dad knows about me?”
Brody smiles, shaking his head.
“Did ya tell him all about me?” I tease, bumping his shoulder.
“Well, I sort of had to,” he admits. “The only reason I was in Barcelona was to bail him out at the casino, which I was spectacularly late for. Because I was with you.” He finally looks up. Sheepish.
