Page 97 of Let’s Be Real

Her eyes narrowed. “Of course. How could I forget?”

I waved and immediately felt stupid. But what was the MO when meeting your boyfriend’s dying mother?

“Hi, Louise,” I said. “I think we met when I was younger, but—”

“Your hair was so blond it was nearly see-through.” Her mouth slid into something like a smile, but it was pinched, pained. “You and Adrian giggled over everything. I don’t think I’d ever heard him laugh as much as he did when he’d started bringing you around.”

I didn’t know what to say, but Nate spoke up. “Just today, he told her they’re like a badger and coyote.”

Her gaze slid to her son, her mouth working like she was chewing something. “Symbiotic?”

I let out a soft laugh. “That’s what he said. I don’t know where he comes up with half his ideas.”

She reached out, clutching my hand with papery fingers. “Does he still read everything he can get his hands on?”

I nodded. “He does. He’s always got a book going. Sometimes one at work, an audiobook in his car, and one on his nightstand. So many times I’ve asked him what he’s preparing for with all his reading, but I never get a straight answer.”

With a smile, she sank back on her pillow, and her hand slipped from mine. “I can’t believe you’re still such good friends.” She barely tipped her head toward Nate. “What does Adrian think of this?”

“He’s okay with it,” I said.

Nate moved his hand up my back to squeeze my nape. “He likes us together. At least now that we’ve gotten our shit together.”

I turned to him, grinning. “It took us a while.”

“Nate finally took his brother’s advice,” Louise said.

I raised a brow. “What was his advice?” I hadn’t heard about this.

He cleared his throat, looking vaguely uncomfortable. “He told me not to give up on you. He…uh, said to push you.”

“He would say that,” I muttered. “Adrian pushes everyone. He thinks he knows what’s best for everyone, but I offer him even a little advice—”

“He’s mortally offended,” Nate finished. “There aren’t many worse things you can do than imply he doesn’t know everything.”

“Exactly.” I had to giggle. It was so true. But Adrian made it endearing. “It’s no wonder he’s so smug about us being together.”

“He thinks it’s all due to his machinations.” Leaning in, he kissed the side of my head. “Maybe he gets a little credit.”

Louise made a sound between a sob and a laugh, pulling our attention back to her. I didn’t know her, so I couldn’t quite read her expression.

“Are you okay?” Nate tugged on her blankets, pulling them higher on her chest. “Can I get you something?”

“No, no.” She patted his hand. “I was enjoying listening to the two of you. And hearing about my boys. It just…got to me.”

I didn’t know how to comfort her, or if it was my place to try. I did know Adrian wouldn’t want me spilling anything deeply personal about him, but surely there were other things I could say. Something to make this easier…

Nate was two steps ahead of me, telling her about what he and Roman were up to at work while brushing his knuckles over hers in a way that made my heart clench. This tenderness was more than obligation. He cared for her.

This was going to hurt.

Not now, but soon.

I had to be prepared. Had to fortify myself with steel so I could be strong for him. Wrap myself in cotton to be a soft place for him to fall.

Maybe he wouldn’t need any of that, but if he did, I’d be ready.

Over the next two weeks, visiting Louise with Nate became a habit. Sometimes, I arrived before him and sat with her until he got off work, babbling about my day and sharing snippets of my interactions with Adrian to give her something. I wasn’t sure she deserved anything of him, but when it made the lines around her mouth fade and her eyes flutter closed like she’d found a few seconds of peace, how could I not?