Anxiety? I don’t react to the word, but I file it away. Not because it’s wrong. Kara is anxious, and she has reason to be. But naming a person’s fear too quickly can be a kindness, or it can be a leash. Sometimes both.
“She wants me to call,” Kara says.
“Then call.”
“You don’t need to stand there listening.”
“I’m making coffee.”
“With Navy SEAL ears.”
That stops me. I haven’t mentioned the Teams. Sloane may have. Or Kara put together enough on her own.
“Former,” I say.
Her brow lifts. “Do you all ever believe that?”
“No.”
That earns me a real smile, small but real, and I take it because I’m not stupid enough to waste rare things.
The video call comes through before she can decide what to do. Kara hesitates only a second before accepting it and propping the phone against the fruit bowl.
Vanessa’s face fills the screen, warm and animated, hair pulled back, gold earrings swinging as she leans closer to the camera.
“Oh, thank God.” Her voice spills into the kitchen like she’s trying to fill all the spaces fear might have claimed. “There you are. I was about five minutes from driving there myself.”
Kara gives a tired laugh. “Please don’t. You have a restaurant to run.”
“Restaurants are overrated. Best friends are not.” Vanessa’s gaze flicks slightly. “Is someone there with you?”
Kara looks toward me.
I turn back to the coffee maker, giving her the choice.
“Yes. Sunbreak Security has someone here temporarily.”
“Good.” Vanessa exhales hard, and the relief sounds genuine. “Good, good, good. I hate this, but I’m glad you’re not alone.”
“Me too,” Kara says quietly.
The words do something I don’t let show.
Vanessa’s expression softens into something almost maternal. “How bad was last night after we talked? Be honest.”
Kara wraps both hands around the mug I set in front of her. “Bad. But better after everyone got here.”
“And now?”
“Still bad.”
“That makes sense. Your nervous system is in full-blown alarm mode. You can’t expect it to settle just because you’re somewhere pretty.”
Kara looks down into her coffee. “I know.”
“Have you thought about calling Dr. Vale?”
“I haven’t seen him in over a year.”
