“What if I wanted to start there, but then branch out?”
Nikki smiled. “I already planned for that, Kate. The very reason there’s so many damn forms for you to sign.”
Kate laughed.
Nikki added, “You can’t help yourself, Kate. You see one cause and intuitively expand upon it. Just bear in mind, this all takes time and patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day and all that. This will be a lengthy and grueling undertaking.”
“I anticipated that. It’s very exciting, Nik.”
“And damn rewarding, Kate.”
They stared at each other. No words were ever necessary when thoughts of Conner hovered between them. Yet Kate said, “You’re the most amazing person I know. The strongest. The—”
“Kate.” Nikki’s deep-green eyes misted. “I’ve been to hell and back. I survived because of you.”
“No.”
“Yes,” she insisted. “You have a gift, Kate. You can pull people from the ledge. You can talk them through the worst nightmares, the darkest hours. I have inner strength, yes. Bu
t it takes so much more than a solid constitution to lose everything—every single piece of you—and come back from that. It takes recognizing you need help…and accepting that help.”
“Conner would have expected no less from you.”
Nikki snickered. Then sniffled. “You’re right. But more than that… He would have wanted me to use that shattering experience and everything I learned from it to help others, in turn. I have every intention of doing just that. I deeply appreciate that you do, as well. I’m sorry it involves a seemingly endless pit of paperwork—”
“I’m fine with the paperwork,” Kate told her. “This is an incredibly meaningful business venture, Nik. I’m proud of you for spearheading it. Even prouder you’ve included me.”
“You’re an anchor, Kate. I’m not sure you realize that. Even with your family… As much as they don’t understand what motivates you, they rely on you being consistent, dependable, forthright. Whether they agree with your choices or not, they know you don’t waver…and you keep others from going adrift. That constant stability can be very reassuring. Even if they do take advantage of it more often than not.”
“I don’t know about all of that. But…thanks for the sentiment.”
“They’ll freak, you know?” Nikki said with all sincerity and realism.
“One-hundred percent. Especially when they learn I’ll be so close to the danger zones. Forest fires, earthquake epicenters, the whole nine yards.”
“But you can weather that shitstorm.”
“I’ve weathered plenty of them in my lifetime.”
Once more, they stared intently and purposefully at each other. Then Nikki gave a decisive nod.
“You were born to ride the jagged waves, Kate.”
“A bit excruciating at times.”
“Naturally. Comes with the territory.”
Kate leaned forward, her gaze still holding Nikki’s.
“I might actually be dodging one particularly brutal wave at the moment.”
“You? Not a chance.”
“A patient,” she said. “Well…a former patient.”
“The one you were with last night at The Plaza? Jude McMillan.”
Kate gasped.