Kennedy gave a look in return. It wasn’t exactly readable, but she quickly shifted gears with a shake of her head. “All I know is”—she rose and stepped up to the side of the bed—”you need to stop worrying about other people’s problems and focus on trying to get better.”

“Yeah, some fixer, huh? I’m so worried about everyone else and look where that has gotten me.” Deven was starting to sound like the poster child for depression. She hadn’t meant to appear so operatic. And certainly not when she had company that had genuinely come to lift her spirits.

Kennedy leaned over and planted a peck on Deven’s forehead. “Nope, you’re not going to do that,” she chided. “You can be hurt but you’re not going to feel guilty for things you can’t control.”

She was right. And Deven would pick herself up. Later. Right now, she just needed to wallow. Her hand went to her belly. It was still somewhat firm, but it definitely felt hollow now, only further amplified by the compounding guilt. Maybe if she had wanted them more, had taken better care of herself, had made the babies a priority. She had even withheld their presence from their father. She had never felt so low. And selfish. “You think it’s still worth me telling Justin about them?” she asked.

Kennedy’s mouth thinned into a disapproving line. “You think he’s going to make you feel better?” The question was rhetorical, so Deven didn’t bother answering the obvious. He certainly couldn’t, especially with him being in Baltimore.

“He’s coming in town tomorrow,” Deven said with an exhausted sigh. “He’s going to want to know why I don’t want to see him right now.”

“There you go worrying about other people again,” Kennedy said with a playful pop on her shoulder. “So what if you hurt his feelings? For once, Deven needs to take care of Deven. Okay? Promise me.”

Deven nodded. She couldn’t bring herself to agree, no matter how right her sister was. “Anyway,” she said, tugging at the sleeve of Kennedy’s sweater. “Enough about me. Tell me about this new man of yours.”

“Oh girl!” Kennedy turned then, as if remembering her plans. “I meant to ask you. Is your car still here?”

“Yeah, it’s in the employee parking lot. Why?”

“You’ll let me borrow it? Just for today,” she added quickly. “We had to take my car to the shop earlier, so I had Benji drop me off.”

Deven was already reaching for her purse to sift for her keys. “Sure, but you know you don’t have to explain. You know you can use my car anytime. Only thing is, you’ll have to pick me up to take me home when they discharge me.” She held out the keys for Kennedy who accepted them with a nod.

“Of course.”