“Listen to me, baby. I love that you’re seeing people because you know I don’t want you to be alone, but that’s my selfish desire to fill a gap for you while I’m in here. But it might not be the right gap. I need you to take care of yourself first and foremost while I’m in here taking care of myself, and if that means that you dance instead of seeing friends, then do it. Don’t let that bastard’s ugliness eat away at you and destroy your beauty. You need to get that anger and hatred out of your system, and dancing has always been your outlet. Promise me you’ll make time to do that.”

Nodding, she inhaled deeply, letting out a long sigh as she took his hand and pressed it to her chest. “Feel how fast my heart is beating?” She held it there as her heartbeat calmed, and then a genuine smile appeared, and she said, “You knew exactly what I needed. How could I have forgotten about the one thing that I relied on for so long?”

“Because we haven’t been stressed the last several weeks, and your extra time spent dancing has been for fun. But you’re in recovery again, babe. You relived the accident when the police questioned you, and I could see how it dredged up all that hurt and anger. When you pile that on top of the fact that your boyfriend is on day six of his recovery, that’s a lot for you to deal with. You need to dance and use that outlet as much as you can.” He rubbed her hips and said, “And be sure to pamper yourself afterward—take warm baths or get a massage. I’ll pay for it.”

“I’ll dance, but I only want your hands on my body.” She hugged him again and ran her fingers through his hair.

He closed his eyes briefly, reveling in her touch. “Babe, it might also be a good idea for you to talk to someone. A therapist. Did you talk with anyone after your accident?”

“They had someone at the hospital, but not really.”

“I know from how you kept to yourself after your Gram died that you like to handle things privately. But some knots are too tough to unravel alone. Are you open to talking to someone?”

She met his gaze and nodded. “Yes. Thanks to you, I’m learning about how important communication is.”

“We’ll get the name of a therapist that’s familiar with grief and recovery before you leave here.” He glanced at the clock, and his heart sank, but he tried to keep that disappointment out of his voice as he said, “Our time is almost over. Take lots of pictures for me when you celebrate Christmas with the kids, and at Jed and Josie’s wedding tonight. Who’s stepping in as best man?”

“Actually, they postponed the wedding. Jed said he can’t get married without his best friend there.”

Quincy hated that he’d screwed up their wedding, but he loved Jed’s commitment to him. “Fucking Jed.”