“But mostly, she’s sad. So damned sad. That light she’s always had inside is still there. I see it flicker from time to time, but it’s almost like she has it buried, and I just want to help her get it back.” She reached over and took my hand.

“She will,” Dr. Circe promised before she changed the subject, detailing what the remaining weeks of therapy would bring. I hadn’t quite made peace with the fact that I was going to have to talk about Will’s death in depth next week, but I knew I had to try. I had to beat against the instinct to withdraw and find whatever spark of light in me still lived on.

We were just about ready to stop for the day when Sam held up her finger.

“One thing,” she said to Dr. Circe and then shifted to face me. “I need you to know that you’re still you. The things that make you amazing haven’t changed, Morgan. You’re still incredibly brave, and if you don’t feel it, just look at what you’re doing now. This takes incredible courage. Look at how you saved Finley the other day. You’re still the friend who puts others first—”

“Like making you stay here for the next thirteen weeks while I try to get my shit together?” I teased with a watery voice.

“Stop it. You took me in when I had nowhere else to go. You never judged me for my choices, and you still don’t. Your grief for Will is just as deep as your love, and that’s not something to be ashamed of. I’m so damned proud to be your friend.”

She yanked me against her in an awkward over-the-chair-arm hug, and I felt twin tears escape. She might be proud of me now, but I knew the worst was yet to come. I’d avoided the worst of the pain for the last two years, and that came with a price.

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Morgan

Lean on our friends, Morgan. God knows you’ve let them lean on you.

“So where are we at?” I asked Steve, handing him a cup of coffee as he stood at my kitchen counter. Longest two and a half weeks ever, but we were back in my house.

“Thank you.” He took a sip and then flipped through his binder. “Okay, the new concrete pilings are in place for the deck, and the support ones for the foundation set perfectly, we released the jacks, and your house is still standing, which is good since you moved back in three days ago.”

“Considering you told me there was every chance we’d have a major issue during that process, I consider that a victory.” I raised my glass, and he grinned.