She hesitated, then finally looked into the cameras. “Easton saved my life, and I saved his. That’s the kind of shared experience that leaves two people connected. I’m grateful for everything he has done, and I ask for everyone to please respect his privacy. He didn’t ask for this, and he didn’t sign on for cameras shoved in his face. He’s a man who did his job. That’s all I’m going to say for now. Thanks, everyone.”

They continued to ask questions, but River smiled brightly, shaking her head. Eventually, they started to filter out, having been given all she was willing to share.

“How did I do?” River asked Zoey, who looked a bit wide about the eyes.

“Better than I would have. They’re pushy, aren’t they?”

“It’s part of the life. But soon, if I can keep getting producing gigs instead of being in front of the camera, they’ll forget all about me.”

Brushing her bangs away from her eyes, Zoey adjusted her glasses up on her nose. “Do you want me to go get Easton?”

Yes. Absolutely. But as she watched the remainder of the paparazzi lingering in the hallway, ignoring the staff’s requests to leave, she knew that he’d hated one camera in his face. This…it was too much to ask of him.

“I’m okay. He’s probably going to want to steer clear from these guys for a while.”

There was no point in dragging him deeper into her world. They both knew she’d be leaving his soon anyway.

• • •

When River decided to talk to the press without him there at her side, Easton respected her decision. He didn’t like it, but he respected it.

He also couldn’t stand waiting in a private room down the hall, door closed, knowing she was being surrounded fifty feet away from him. Pacing the room didn’t help, and neither did sitting still. The result was standing up and sitting down at irregular intervals, trying and failing to be patient as River went through her interrogation session down the hall.

Graham had made himself comfortable, stretched out on a clean hospital bed with one foot kicked up on the rail. Right arm folded behind his head and left making liberal use of the remote control, Graham was not the supportive, calming presence he claimed to be.

If Easton had to hear his best friend crunch through one more mouthful of ice chips, he wasn’t going to be responsible for his actions.

“She’s fine, man. River’s a tough cookie. Besides, if she needs anything, Zoey will let us know.”

They’d planted Graham’s fiancée in the room, not that it helped Easton feel more comfortable at all. “What’s she going to be able to do if they crowd her too much?”

Graham seemed utterly unconcerned. “Zo will handle it.”