Colby put fingers into Jason’s hand and let them be comforted. “I know you are. It’s all right. We would’ve spoken to her at some point in any case. And I know you wanted to help. To fix things.”
“Yeah, but still.”
“It’s one reason I do love you.” Serious, not flippant: that accent took the words and inscribed them on manuscript pages, inked indelibly, with glimmering lapidary capitals. “You see the world as kind. And if it isn’t you want to make it so. You believe in love. I love that you do.”
The tears from earlier swung back but didn’t fall. Too much anguish to even spill over. The air tasted dry and tense as a storm and healing as medicine; the blanket was thick and heavy under their hands. Every detail seared itself into Jason’s heart for good, in those seconds. “So do you. I know
