Page 62 of Deacon

“We really, really need to get you a man. Like, yesterday,” Blue gasped.

Evan straightened, smoothing his scrubs with great dignity. “Who says I don’t have my eye on someone already? Preferably someone tall, tattooed, and answering to the name Ink.”

As if summoned, Ink appeared in the cafeteria line, loading his plate with the kind of focus that made it look like he had a strategy for cafeteria food. Blue bit her lip. “Evan, I don’t know… I’ve only seen him with women at the clubhouse.”

Evan gave her a look. “Please. That man has bisexual lighting. I see the way he checks me out. If I’m wrong, may all my lattes run out of froth.”

I coughed into my cup.

A minute later, Ink reached our table, plate in hand and expression carefully neutral. “Hey, Blue. Lila.” His gaze flicked toward Evan for half a second before sliding away. “Evan.”

Evan winked. “Oh, don’t say my name like you’re trying to survive it. I’m unforgettable. I’m like glitter, you’re never getting rid of me.”

“And that’s exactly why we keep him around, he makes every day a little sparklier.” I gestured toward the empty seat. “You want to join us? We’ve got a few more minutes of break and two-thirds of a comedy show.”

Evan scooted over, looking far too pleased with himself, while Ink sat with the distinct air of a man reconsidering every choice that had brought him to this table. He cleared his throat. “So… how’s the pregnancy going, Blue? Priest has been showing off those sonogram pics like a kid with a new toy. Never seen him so hyped.”

Blue blushed. “It’s good, actually. No complaints.”

Ink nodded, some of the tension leaving his face. “Good. And, uh, thanks. To both of you. For keeping Deacon alive. Would’ve wrecked us to lose him.”

The teasing faded. “We just did our jobs. But yeah, I would’ve done anything to save him. And I know Blue would’ve fought just as hard for Priest.”

Blue squeezed my hand. “Always.”

For a moment, even Evan stayed quiet.

Blue glanced at the clock and pushed herself up. “Okay, we’ve got to hit the restroom before we get back to the land of bodily fluids and impossible family members. Evan, don’t seduce anyone while we’re gone. Ink, tell Deacon I said hi.”

Ink nodded while Evan gave us an innocent wink. “I’ll be good.”

I paused beside Blue and looked back at him. “Your version of good or the legal version?”

Evan smiled sweetly. “Those are two very different journeys.”

Blue and I left them together and headed into the hallway. Once the cafeteria noise fell behind us, she looped her arm around mine and lowered her voice. “Any idea what you’re going to do about Jade and Deacon?”

I rolled my eyes toward the ceiling. “I haven’t a damn clue.”

She squeezed my shoulder. “That’s okay. There’s no due date on these things.”

A breath slipped out of me. “Feels like there should be. Like the longer I wait, the more complicated it gets.”

“It was always complicated,” Blue said gently. “You’re just finally looking straight at it.”

I gave her a tired smile. “Rude, but accurate.”

We kept walking, the fluorescent hospital corridor stretching ahead of us, until uncertainty crept back into Blue’s expression. “Lila,” she said, hesitating, “do you think it’s possible to love somebody who’s hurt you? Can you ever really go back?”

Jackson rose immediately in my mind, eighteen by the lake and thirty-five in a hospital bed, with seventeen silent years between them.

“Maybe it’s not about going back. Maybe it’s about moving forward. Together.”

Blue nodded, something settling behind her eyes. “Yeah. Moving forward. I could get behind that.”

We disappeared into the restroom, then returned to work.

The rest of the shift should have been manageable.