“Okay, okay. Step back.” Reagan let herself in and closed the door behind her. Looking around, she saw Jill’s condo had a beautiful open floor plan, a kitchen with a large island on the left and the living room to her right. Before she got lost in her inspection, she wrapped an arm around Jill’s waist as she led her to the dark gray couch. Reagan expected Jill to squirm out of her grasp but instead she settled her arm around Reagan’s shoulders. Papers were spread across the coffee table along with new and used tissues while the TV played quietly in the background.

She lowered Jill to the couch and sat next to her. She felt Jill’s weakness as she held on to her and she didn’t want to let go, but knew she should. So she scooted back a bit and turned toward her. “Nice glasses,” she said as she tapped the frames.

“Girl’s gotta see, ya know,” Jill replied with a shrug.

Reagan smiled at the slight blush on Jill’s cheeks, as if she was a little embarrassed to be seen in glasses. “True.” Reagan surveyed the papers on the coffee table. “To do work? Jill, you’re not feeling well. Don’t you know how to take it easy?”

“No,” she said as she fiddled with some papers.

“Well, how about you try today? Let me make you some soup.”

Jill let out a small laugh. “It’s nice of you to think I actually have ingredients to make things.”

“How silly of me. Do you have tea?” Jill nodded. “Then I’ll make you some and order delivery. Allergies?”

“No, but again, it’s not ne—”

Reagan stopped her with a hand to her cheek. “I know it’s not. But I want to help. You helped me at my dad’s wake, remember? I’d like to do this for you. Okay?” Another nod from Jill. “Now clean all this up. You’re not allowed to work anymore.”

“You can’t be serious. I have so much to do.”

“And it will all be there waiting for you after you’ve gotten some rest. I’ll go make you some tea. You watch TV.”

“Fine,” Jill grumbled, looking adorably sullen.

Satisfied she was listening, Reagan went into the kitchen and admired the beauty of it. Dark blue cabinets with white marble countertops. Stainless steel appliances. When she peeked into the fridge, she saw there were absolutely no ingredients for anything, unless white wine, ketchup, and mayo counted as a meal. She really hoped Jill didn’t count that combination as a meal.