Troy came downstairs the next morning looking almost like himself again.
Almost. The fever had broken, but the exhaustion still sat under his eyes. He walked into the kitchen while Alex was finishing coffee and Bridget was packing a bag for a charity committee meeting. She looked up, relief clear on her face.
“You look better.”
“I feel better,” Troy said. His voice was rougher than usual, but steady. “Thanks for coming back early yesterday.”
Bridget waved it off, then glanced at Alex. “He stayed with you most of the day. You should thank him too.”
Troy’s eyes moved to Alex. “I already did.”
Alex set his mug down. “It wasn’t a favor that needs paying back.”
Bridget looked between them, caught the tension, and chose not to step into it. “I’ll be out until late afternoon. There’s food
