We walk through the foyer and into the kitchen, where he hands me a beer before I can ask for one. I take a long pull, welcoming the burn. He follows my lead and opens himself a bottle.
Before we get a chance to speak, a loud noise in the distance pulls our attention.
I turn my head to find Walker’s daughter, Eli, sitting on a blanket near the windows, dark curls sticking up at odd angles, hands pushed together as she smiles at a tumble of blocks in front of her.
His fiancée, Jessie, is lying next to Eli on the ground.
She smiles up at me. “Hi, Colton. Nice to see you.”
I nod my head. “Nice to see you, Jessie.”
Jessie is Walker’s sister’s best friend. After Walker had the surprise of his life when Eli was dropped off at his doorstep, Jessie stepped in to help. They have a history that kept them apart for years, but Eli seemed to be the gift sent to them to bring them together.
Eli smiles a big, toothy grin up at me as her face lights up with joy.
“Well,” Walker says, crouching to scoop her up, “someone’s in a mood.”
She laughs—a real laugh. No fear. No hesitation. Only joy. The part of me I keep buried cracks.
“Hey, sweet girl,” I murmur. “You’re getting big.”
She claps her hands together and then reaches her arms high into the air.
Walker and Jessie laugh together.
“She’s sayingtoo big,” Walker clarifies for me.
My sister did that once. I straighten too fast, the memory sharp and unwelcome.
“Beer?” Walker asks, already knowing the answer.
“Already have one.”
“Good. You look like you need two.”
We move to the couch. He settles Eli back down on the floor.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
“I said I’m fine.”
“Yeah,” he says. “And I said I don’t believe you.”
“Be nice,” Jessie warns.
Walker rolls his eyes. “I’m being honest. It’s what friends do.”
I take another drink, eyes fixed on the city beyond the glass.
“There’s this nurse,” I admit out loud.
“Ah,” Walker replies like he knows something. “Is that why you’ve been distracted lately?”
I ignore his question as I continue to replay how Owens looked at Melissa.
“A cardiologist came to our floor today.”
Jessie and Walker glance at each other like they know something.