“Hey, women are having kids later and later.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think I could do it. Care that much again.”
“Give it time,” he said.
“You mean to tell me you’re scouting for a new wife?”
He laughed. “Shit. Jade was lucky to tame me. I can’t imagine any woman being up to the challenge. But I wouldn’t totally discount it if she could handle my life.”
“I find it hard to believe.”
He shrugged. “I don’t pretty up words to make others feel better, Sprite.”
“Does it ever stop hurting so much?”
“No, but you learn how to handle it better. Your life becomes about more than everything you lost.”
“Is that how it went for you?” she questioned.
“With the help of the club, yeah. You have to find something and hold on to that shit like it’s your last chance at life because it is. Grief is a crushing weight. You have to find a flotation device to keep your head above water.”
“I don’t know that I can.”
“I saw you out there tonight. You were alive.”
“Because here I’m someone else. They don’t know my past or look at me expecting certain things. It’s a chance to figure things out.”
“Allow yourself the time and space to continue that, Es. You’re welcome here anytime.”
“I don’t want your pity—”
“Hey, I don’t do that shit. I like you.”
“Why?”
“Still trying to figure that out,” he said.
/> She laughed, and it was a tiny sound bite from heaven.
“That’s better. I see the happy person in you fighting to break free. I’ve traveled the same road you’re on. We make sense. As friends,” he added quickly when she lifted an eyebrow.
She took a shaky breath. “I want to take a chance on you. When I’m with you, I feel comfortable in a way I haven’t experienced in a very long time.”
“That’s all that matters, Es.”
Sniffling, she smiled ruefully. “I guess you’re right.”
“Get used to saying that. ’Cause usually I am.”
She rolled her eyes. “I should call my family back now. They’ll be worried. The last thing I need is the police at my door.”
“Be a shitty end to a bad day,” he agreed.
She stood from the chair in front of his desk. “Thank you for this,” she said.
“Hey, we agreed I’m your support.”
“Who’s yours?” she asked.