He deserved her withering tone. It was true. His family gave him all the leeway he wanted or needed. It was as if, since he lost Sara, they just didn’t want to push him, for fear that he would break apart. Only Emma dared. “Just get dressed, go to the wedding for a couple of hours, show your face, say hello and leave.”

Daniel closed his eyes. “Yeah, okay. I’ll do it. Text me the details.”

“Oh, Daniel! That’s great. Thanks. She’ll be so happy.” Emma softened almost immediately. “And who knows, you may even enjoy yourself. Take a date or meet someone new, you know. A woman.”

Daniel nearly growled. Images of Annika filled his brain, and he did his best to shake them out. “You know that’s not good for anybody.”

It did not deter Emma’s enthusiasm. “You never know...”

“Just send me the details.” He was not entertaining the possibility of entertaining.

“Fine. Make sure you wear the appropriate clothing.”

“Oh my God, Em. I’m a grown man. I can figure out what to wear to a wedding.”

“You know what I mean. Not American clothes—”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it.” He looked up and saw Nilay pulling in. “I gotta go, Em.” He tapped the phone off.

NILAY HAD A definite presence. Daniel chuckled to himself. The teenager was bright and energetic, but he was not quiet. Forget that it was 5:30 a.m. and the sun wasn’t even up yet—Nilay was hyper in the seat next to Daniel.

This time Daniel drove Nilay’s car as they headed out to the chopper base. Annika or no Annika, Daniel had promised Nilay a ride along on the chopper, and the kid got all his paperwork together. So today was the day. Luckily, Nilay chatted nonstop the whole ride, which kept Daniel from giving in to the temptation of asking about Annika.

Nilay held a box of doughnuts and a box of bagels on his lap and started to reach for a doughnut. “Hey, hey. Not for you,” Daniel reprimanded.

“What do you mean?”

“The night shift was up and out all night. They’re probably starving. We’ll eat what your mom sent.” The car smelled of spicy Indian food that Nilay’s mother had made for them. Daniel’s stomach growled despite the early hour.

Nilay’s eyes widened and he flushed. “Oh, right. Sorry.” He closed the lid. “Of course.”

“You can have one after they eat.”

“Sure.”

Daniel drove in silence for a minute or so. “So, did the kids like the fire station the other day?” Weak. He was very weak. He knew they had; Lance had texted him right after.

“What kids?”

Daniel sighed. “Never mind.” His need to talk about Annika—or maybe even get info about her from Nilay—was ridiculous. She was better off without him.