“Why do I feel there’s something else you want to say, Reagan? If that’s the case, then just say it.”

Reagan scooted forward a few inches, seeing how close she could get without scaring Jill off. When Jill didn’t back away, she moved forward again and lightly took hold of the top of Jill’s foot, slowly rubbing her thumb along her ankle. “Is it really thriving if you just hide all of your pain and shut out everyone else around you?”

Jill stiffened but stayed in place. “That’s what I was taught. Never show emotion or vulnerability. If you did, you were weak. And the weak didn’t succeed.” Jill finished her drink but held the empty glass in her hands like it was her lifeline.

Reagan grabbed it from Jill’s hands and placed it on the coffee table. She moved closer and rested her hand on top of Jill’s knee. “Showing emotion isn’t weak. I hope you know that now.”

Jill shrugged.

“How did you find out he was your stepfather? Did you ever call him ‘Dad’?”

“I did when I was younger and didn’t know any better. But I was snooping around his office one Christmas when I was about ten and found what looked to be a contract he signed with my grandfather. There were references to the unborn child. All the dates lined up with my birthday, so I put two and two together and figured I was the unborn child. I didn’t fully understand it all, but I brought it to them and asked about it. They didn’t even try to deny it. They told me everything.”

“But how could they do that? You were just a kid.”

“Yeah, well, I was just a bargaining chip.” Jill crossed her arms and turned her head away.

Reagan closed her eyes at the pain in Jill’s voice and squeezed her knee. “Hey. I’m sorry. That must have been awful and devastating, especially to learn about it as a kid. Jill, would you look at me?” When she turned, her heart broke. Jill’s eyes were filled with tears that were ready to fall. “Oh, sweetheart, you’re okay.”

Biting her lip, Jill whispered, “If it’s okay, I’d like to stop talking about me and my family.”

“Of course. Come here.” Reagan opened her arms, which Jill fell into willingly. She didn’t hear any cries or sniffles, but Jill took a few slow, deep breaths. Reagan rested her hand on the back of Jill’s neck, gently kneading the tight muscles. Reagan knew how hard it had been for Jill to open up, and she was proud of her.

Jill pulled away and wiped at the corners of her eyes. “Thanks, Reagan.”

“You’re welcome. You can always talk to me. Okay?”

“Yeah, I know. It might take some time.”

“Take as long as you need.”