I pull back from her, and feeling downright awful for the way I spiraled, I mutter, “I’m sorry.”
She gives me another sideways hug, which feels very comforting, and after letting go, she helps herself to a sip of my coffee.
“Can I make you a cup?” I offer.
She shakes her head. “I’m feeling a little nauseated today. I’ll just have a slice of toast and orange juice so I can take my medicine.”
“Nova and I were talking last night, and we feel you should leave your medication in the kitchen where we can all get to it,” Easton mentions.
“Okay. I’ll bring the medication down after breakfast.” Rachel glances around the kitchen, then says, “We can keep them in the same cupboard as the vitamins but on the top shelf.”
Still feeling mortified, I avoid looking at Easton while I get up to make some toast.
When I take hold of the bread, Rachel’s hand covers mine, and she shakes her head. “Let me do it. I want to carry on as normal for as long as possible. I don’t want to think about dying every second of the day. I want to enjoy every moment I have left to the fullest.”
My heart clenches painfully in my chest. Nodding, I step to the side and watch as she pops four slices into the toaster. There’s a determined sparkle in her eyes that wasn’t there before. Certainly not last night after we got the awful news.
An affectionate smile curves around her lips as she says with a teasing tone, “Make yourself another cup of coffee. I know you need at least three before you’re able to function.”
“You know me best.” I try to chuckle but fail miserably.
As I walk back to the island to grab my mug, Easton gets up from his chair, and my body instantly tenses.
Stop! Easton won’t hurt you.
“While you’re at it, Rach, will you make bacon, eggs, and pancakes as well?” Easton asks, his tone mischievous.
She gives him a playful scowl. “Now you’re pushing your luck.” A chuckle bubbles over her lips. “Get the bacon defrosted while I make the pancake batter.”
It feels like everyone is putting up a lighthearted act, but the sorrow hanging over our heads is devastating and dark.
I clear my throat before asking, “What can I do?”
Easton points at the stool by the island. “Sit.”
Rachel adds, “Make yourself coffee and relax while the Rowes prepare breakfast for you.”
Easton lifts an eyebrow at his sister. “The Rowes?”
“Yep.” When he sets a carton of eggs down on the counter near Rachel, she pats his shoulder. “You’re helping, brother.”
I place a pod in the machine, and while the coffee pours into the mug, I watch Rachel and Easton. The moment is bittersweet, feeling like the old days when I used to sleep over at their place.
If this is what Rachel wants, I’ll do my best to keep the atmosphere light.
Easton
Rachel playfully nudges her shoulder against my arm while I’m frying bacon, then says, “Don’t burn the food.”
I look at the bubbles forming in the batter in her pan. “You just pay attention to the pancakes.”
I glance at Nova, who’s enjoying her third cup of coffee, and I’m relieved to see she looks calmer.
I’m not sure what made her react so strongly earlier, but it has my alarm bells going off. Sure, it’s normal for her to be awkward, but I’ve never seen her have a panic attack.
She looked scared of me, and it doesn’t sit well with me at all.
A sound comes from upstairs, and Nova jumps up from the stool. “Shoot! I thought my phone was on silent.”
