Chapter 23: The Edge of Trust
I finished work and stepped outside, expecting to see Ryder waiting for me. He wasn't there. A small twinge of disappointment gnawed at me, but then my phone buzzed. It was January.
"Hey, Jan," I said.
"Hey," she answered, her voice short, clipped, almost hesitant.
"Are you okay?" I asked, trying to read between the pauses.
"Yeah... I mean, yeah," she stammered, and there was a tremor I couldn't place.
"Jan... you're scaring me. What happened?"
"Nothing I can't handle," she said quickly, but then added, her voice barely a whisper, "Just promise me something. If you eversee... something about me, please... don't let it change the way you see me."
"What?? What are you talking about?" I demanded, alarm rising in my chest.
"Just promise me this," she repeated, more firmly, but still fragile.
"Of course I promise. I love you, Jan. Please... I am here if you need me," I said, my voice tight with worry.
There was a pause, long enough for my chest to tighten, before she murmured, "Yeah..I might need you..." and hung up.
I stopped walking, feeling a hollow unease settle over me. I typed her a quick message:I'm here if and when you need to talk. I will always be here for you.
The uneasy feeling clung to me as I headed home. When I arrived, I found Margot and tried to sound casual, though worry edged my voice. "So, how do you know Jan, Margot?"
"That's her story to tell," Margot said lightly, but then her expression softened. " My baby's a tough cookie. Don't worry about her; she'll be fine."
"You really think so? I just... I'm worried," I admitted, still uncertain.
"Don't," she said firmly, leaving no room for doubt. "She'll be fine. Now, go check on your Adonis, he's working with Billy."
I rolled my eyes but then nodded, letting Margot's reassurance settle slightly in my chest, and headed to the jewellery workshop.The door was open, and inside, they hadn't noticed me yet. Billy and Ryder were deep in conversation, their voices low and concentrated—something about tools and metals, maybe a design, though I couldn't hear the words clearly.
Then Billy looked up and saw me standing in the doorway. A smile spread across his face. "Come in," he said, gesturing me over.
I stepped inside, the workshop warm and filled with the faint, sharp scent of metal and polish. Sunlight filtered through the high windows, glinting off scattered tools and half-finished jewellery pieces. Ryder's hands were steady, precise, threading a tiny chain through a delicate pendant. He looked up briefly, catching my eye, and gave a small, almost imperceptible smile, then he looked worried.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice quiet, careful.
I forced a nod. "Yeah... just a long day."
Ryder didn't press, but I could tell he felt my distraction. My thoughts kept slipping back to January, her words circling in my mind like a half-finished song. After Margot called Billy away, I was just about to leave when Ryder spoke, his voice soft and curious.
"So... really, what happened? You look worried."
"Yeah... about Jan," I admitted.
"Is she okay? Does she need anything?"
I smiled, the tension in my chest easing a little. "You became friends?"
"Yeah. Does that upset you?"
"Why would it upset me? She's a wonderful friend."
"Yeah, she is. Is she... okay?"
