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But when Ian lost patience and pulled me into his arms, I gave up the fight.
Shoving my face in his sweater, my shoulders racked as the sob came.
Ian gathered my hair in his hand and held it at the nape of my neck as he held me, and I cried for what Lou was going through.
“D-dad would lose his shit,” I stammered. “He wasn’t the greatest husband. B-but he loved her the way he could. H-he’d hate he wasn’t here to be there for her.”
“I’m sure,” he murmured.
“It’s not an ‘easy procedure,’” I mumbled into his chest, referring to how Lou described her upcoming surgery.
“I expect not.”
“She just doesn’t want me to worry.”
“No, she doesn’t.”
I tipped my head back and looked at him with watery eyes. “I’m worried as fuck.”
He shoved my face back into his chest. “I know.”
I cried more, he held me through it.
Eventually, I got my shit tight, turned my face, and rested my cheek against his chest, but otherwise didn’t move.
Ian’s thumb stroked the side of my neck.
“Thank you for being so cool,” I said.
“You’re most welcome.”
“We’re not going to kiss tonight, are we?”
“I taste of cigarettes and your friend has a brain tumor, so no. I don’t think our timing is right.”
“Ugh,” I grumbled.
He stopped stroking my neck so he could squeeze me with both arms.
I was still grumbling, even if the words were, “It’s annoying, but I’m glad you want to make it special.”
“Mm.”
“I need to go check if the girls have got all of Lou’s things packed, and then I want to call Lou’s mum. She’s probably beside herself and it’s a long trip. She won’t be here for at least another hour, and I want her to know Lou’s okay.”
“All right.”
His arms loosened, and I pushed away and up to my feet.
I looked down at him. “Thank you for tonight, and especially for earlier. When Lou was seizing. At the hospital. I was a mess, but you knew exactly what to do.”
“It was my pleasure, darling.”
I sensed he told no lies.
Which was beautiful.
“So far, this visit has been a trip, but I’m sure glad I met you.”
