"The wreckers called," she says, a shadow crossing her face so quickly I almost miss it. "They still have a few items from the car they managed to salvage. Not sure what, but they called before. Can you swing by and pick it up?"

"Of course." My response is immediate, though my mind flickers back to the twisted metal of Nora's car, to the night that changed everything.

"Thank you." She leans in for another kiss, this one softer, full of gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Well," I tease as she tries to pull away, wrapping another arm around her waist, feeling the curve of her against me, "you'll never have to wonder." I kiss her deeply, trying to memorize the moment. "Have a safe flight. Call me when you get there."

She throws me a wink before heading out the door, leaving the scent of her perfume lingering in the air like a promise.

Before I can dwell too much on what the wreckers might have found, my phone rings and Jay's name lights up the screen.

"Hey, boss."

Jay's been working for me at Sonder for a month or so now, ever since Nate left for Europe. I offered him the job partly because I needed someone to fill the gap, but mostly because I saw a kid who needed an opportunity and a second chance.

Credit to the kid, he's been looking and sounding more put together than I've ever seen him. Like he's finally finding his footing in the world. I think the night of Nate's overdose scared Jay straight. He doesn't talk about it much, but I've noticed the changes: showing up on time, staying out of trouble, even offering to take extra shifts. Sometimes the wake-up calls we need come in the hardest ways.

"How's it going?" I ask, already hearing the nervous energy in his voice.

"Good. Kinda," he says, voice pitching higher in that way it does when he's about to confess something.

Before I can worry, Jay starts rambling in that endearing way of his.

"But, uh, I think I broke the dishwasher. Just thought I'd let you know. I'm happy to pay for the damages. I think I used the wrong detergent or some shit. It's leaking and making weird ass noises. Shit. Fuck. I didn't know⁠⁠—"

"Jay, relax," I cut him off gently. "It's fine. I'll swing by tomorrow and check it out. It's probably just a loose valve. Don't worry about it." I've learned sometimes the best way to help someone grow is to show them that mistakes aren't the end of the world.

Jay lets out a breath, as if he's been holding it the entire time. "Thank fuck. I did not want to wash these glasses by hand for the next month."

I laugh, surprised by how fond I've grown of the kid. "Anything else you're concerned about?"

"That's all boss."

"Jay, you know you can just call me Nick, yeah?"