“Thank you for staying, but you can go now.” She attempted to stand but didn’t it make it more than a few inches before falling back into the cushions.

Reagan closed the distance between them and cupped Jill’s cheek. “Let me take care of you. Please.”

Jill melted into the touch and closed her eyes, savoring the idea that someone would take care of her for once. “You say that like it’s easy,” she whispered.

“It can be. Just try.”

“Okay,” Jill said with a nod.

“Let’s get you to bed, huh?” Reagan asked with a soft smile.

“Trying to bed me already, Ms. Murphy?”

“Not in your weakened state. When I try, you’ll know. Trust me.” Reagan basically lifted Jill off the couch and held on to her waist.

“Looking forward to it,” she replied as she raised her head to meet Reagan’s gaze.

“Me too,” Reagan whispered. “But for now, let me help you to bed, okay? You need your rest.”

She nodded without a word and swayed as they took their first step.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m good.”

They slowly shuffled up the stairs and into her bedroom. She took a quick look at the sorry state of her room. Sheets ruffled, clothes discarded on a chair in the corner. She wanted to apologize but couldn’t find the strength.

“Do you need to use the bathroom?”

“Yeah, but I got it,” Jill replied gruffly as she shrugged Reagan off.

Reagan chuckled. “Understood.”

Jill grabbed a T-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts from her dresser on her way to the bathroom. She grimaced at the bright light and then again when she looked at herself in the mirror. Dark circles under her eyes looked even worse against her paler than normal skin. Her hair looked as if she’d driven in a convertible with the top down. She took out the hair tie and finger-combed her hair into some semblance of order. Even being on her feet for these brief minutes was making her lightheaded, so she took care of business and brushed her teeth quickly. She changed her clothes, happy to be in something fresh.

When she opened the door, she found Reagan standing on the opposite end of the room and looking out the window. She cleared her throat to get her attention.

Reagan turned around. “Oh, hey. All set?”

“Yeah.”

She moved forward and reached Jill’s side of the bed at the same time as Jill and they both reached for the sheets.

“I can do this myself, Reagan.” She looked down at Reagan’s hand brushing her own as they gripped the comforter.

“I know you can, but I’m here. So let me help,” Reagan said in her ear.

As Reagan stood behind her, all Jill wanted was melt into her warmth. Instead, she whispered, “I’m not good at that.”