Elena’s POV
Adrian reached for his coffee and leaned back against the couch. “I should probably get going soon. Late shift today. Trauma rounds.”
My smile faltered, just slightly. “You came all the way over just to drop off pastries and see if I was okay?”
“Not just that,” he said softly. “I came to take you home. Natalie asked if you’d stay with her tonight while I’m gone.”
That pulled me up short. “Natalie asked?”
He nodded. “She said, and I quote, ‘Can Elena come over so I don’t die of boredom or turn into one of those girls who watches soap operas unironically?’”
I smiled, imagining her dramatic eye-roll and the pillow fort she was probably planning. “She’s only eighteen. She shouldn’t have to handle so much.”
“She’s stronger than most adults I know,” he said, his voice thickeni
