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A half-smile fluttered briefly across her face. “I want to be your friend. What do you value in a friend?”

And I thought conversations with Sloane couldn't get any more awkward.

“Probably what others value,” I said. “You know, stuff like kindness and loyalty.”

“I don't care what other people value,” she said, her expression intensely focused. “I want to know what I need to do to be your friend.”

“I’m going to be blunt,” I said, giving up.

“Please,” Sloane agreed.

“I've never analyzed who I make friends with and why,” I said. “I don't want you to make yourself into someone you're not. We should get to know each other and find our friendship that way.”

She nodded. “You want authenticity. I can try that. If you decide you don't like it, I can change.”

That statement made me curious. “Have you changed yourself a lot for others?”

“Everyone,” she said. Real vulnerability showed on her face, giving me the urge to hug her. “No one wants to be around you when you tend to be sad or withdrawn most of the time. No one has ever accepted who I was until Mieshorum. He's the Papa Bear I didn't know I needed.”

“That’s great,” I said, thankful for all Mieshorum's hard work. “I don't want you to hide yourself because you're scared we'll reject you. That's not real friendship."

“But if you and Cleo don't like me, I might have to leave the Ever Secure,” Sloane whispered, and I could hear the undertone of fear in her voice. “I don't want to leave. I want to stay with Mieshorum.”

I gave her a big smile. “Mieshorum would be happy to know that. You should tell him.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “I should? But I've already been such a burden.”

I shook my head. “I promise he doesn't see you as a burden. Also, unless you plan to murder us in our sleep, you won't be kicked off Ever Secure. We're all in this together.”

“That's a nice thought,” she murmured.

“It's a reality,” I insisted.

“I like your hope,” she murmured. “I might try to adopt it.”

“Help yourself,” I said grandly.

She nodded, as if taking me seriously. “I'm tired. I think I need to lay down again.”

“Yeah, of course,” I agreed. As far as I knew, this was the first time she'd left her room. Going all the way to medical and interacting with Cleo and JJ had to be a lot.

“Mieshorum, um, I mean, Bear!” I called, turning to face where the guys were standing watching us. “You should take Sloane to bed. She's had a big day.”

Mieshorum rushed over and picked Sloane up. “I warned you this might be too much.”

“It wasn't,” she said as he turned around to leave. “It was the perfect amount.”

As Mieshorum left with Sloane in his arms, I walked over to stand next to Cleo.

“What did she say?” Cleo asked.

“I'll trade baby for info,” I said, holding out my arms.

Cleo grinned and carefully handed me the baby. He was swaddled and wearing a hat so only his little scrunched face was visible.

“Hey there, sweet boy,” I murmured. “You're looking good for being an entire day old.”

“Talk,” Cleo demanded.