Jill scoffed but didn’t say anything more. As a comfortable silence settled over them, Reagan noticed Jill had interlaced their fingers. A warmth enveloped her and she fought against the giddy smile that wanted to break free. She didn’t want to make a big deal about it, especially if Jill didn’t realize she had done it.

A knock at the door sounded, and Reagan regretfully withdrew her hand from Jill’s. She answered the door and took hold of Jill’s soup. “Let me just get a bowl.”

Jill waved her off. “No need. I usually just eat out of the container.”

Reagan chuckled and sat on the couch, handing Jill the container of soup. “Duly noted.”

Jill took the lid off and sniffed before frowning. “Well, I’m guessing it smells good,” she mumbled.

Reagan sniffed near the bowl. “Yep. Smells great.”

Jill shook her head as the corner of her mouth lifted. She gathered a spoonful and held it to her mouth but stopped before she took a bite. “Are there crackers?”

Reagan about melted on the spot at the soft way Jill asked the question, with almost a kid-like wistfulness. She held a different package in each hand. “Oyster or saltines?”

“Definitely oyster,” Jill replied as she plucked the packet out of Reagan’s hand and dumped then stirred them into her soup. She looked toward the empty bag on the coffee table and back up at Reagan. “Didn’t you get anything?”

Reagan waved her away. “Nah. I’ll eat later.”

“Are you sure? We can split this.”

She opened the package of saltines. “I’m good with these,” she replied as she took a bite.

Jill shrugged and focused on eating her soup while they watched the show. After she finished, she placed the container on the coffee table before grabbing the blanket next to her and wrapping it around herself. Reagan split her attention between the TV and Jill, who seemed to be fighting sleep.

Reagan lifted her arm and rested it along the back of the couch. As she relaxed, she began scratching the top of Jill’s head. It elicited quiet hums and Jill snuggled into Reagan’s side. Within minutes, she was asleep. Reagan smiled at her and settled in to let Jill enjoy her nap.

Jill woke up to a soft, warm body underneath her, and for the first time in two days, she felt somewhat rested. Wait. Warm body? She jerked back and put her arm on the back of the couch to push herself off…Reagan.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Reagan said in a soothing, quiet voice.

Jill moved to the opposite end of the couch and rubbed the back of her neck. “No, it’s not. I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for.”