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“You barely had any sleep, the fallout with your mother and then I jumped your bones.” He shakes his head. “Your blood pressure is probably down. I should have been more responsible.”

I grab his arm, pulling him down to sit next to me. “It’s not that,” I tell him. “It’s more like the stress has finally subsided. I thought it wouldn’t work out.”

“You mean the job or getting rid of the debt?”

“Both,” I admit. “It just all felt too easy, you know? And when it’s easy and things are going well, I always wait for something bad to happen, for the second shoe to drop. And this here, in particular, it feels like I achieved it way too easily.”

Aden looks at me thoughtfully. “You need to stop saying that.”

“Huh?”

“Saying that it’s all coming to you easily. It didn’t. It never was easy. You fought for this, and you are winning now because of your hard work. True, maybe some small portion of luck is part of it too like with everything, but you worked your ass off. You got this job opportunity because DeeDee thought you would be great. And you aced the interview, because you are just that good. DeeDee didn’t hand you the job; you just took the chance, proved yourself, and made it work. And I didn’t free you from your debt magically. I am not above the law. It was possible because you were completely innocent in this.”

“It shows how much it helps to have someone in your corner,” I say quietly. “Maybe all of what you just said is true, but without you, and without Ster and Mateo, I don’t think I would have found the strength. It shows how far even a little kindness can go.”

“That’s true,” he says. “It’s depressing to know how many people suffer without anyone reaching out a hand to them.”

“Right,” I exclaim, relieved he sees it the same way. “That’s why I want to be thankful for my opportunities, and make the best out of it.”

Aden chuckles. “And that’s exactly what makes you so strong.”

“Don’t tease me!”

“I am not teasing you. Don’t forget it took you coming to my family, for me to finally have some peaceful interaction with my brothers. Let alone when we bumped into each other years ago.”

His words pique my interest. “You never told me why you were in such a bleak spot back then.”

“I will,” he promises. “But not today. You need some sleep. Besides, Lynn is coming over at any time.”

“Right, for decluttering the attic!”

“Yes, but I promise I will tell you. Let’s make sure to grab a glass of wine tomorrow and relax on our free day. I will answer all your questions.”

I stir awake to the sound of voices coming from the entrance door. For a moment, I feel completely disoriented. I am at Aden’s place, as much is obvious, but what even happened? When did I fall asleep?

There is a cup of tea in front of me, but the plates from breakfast are gone, and I am wrapped in a warm blanket.

Struggling free from the blanket and forcing my mind back into a waking state, I finally stumble off the couch. I have never coped well with taking a nap during the day. It just always pulls me down into some sort of dark pit, where my limbs get heavy and my mind drowsy. It’s hard to wake up from it, even when I put on an alarm.

“Aden?” I trot through the living room, still fighting the drowsiness, when I bump into my boyfriend.

“You are awake?” He sneaks an arm around me and pulls me closer. “Lynn just arrived. I didn’t want to wake you, I am sorry.”

“Nah, it’s fine! How long have I been gone for?”

“Two hours. It’s noon,” he says.

I furrow my brows. Wow, I wasted a lot of time. Talking to Aden helps wake me up fully, though, and I finally see Lynn in front of me. “Hi Lynn! Sorry, I am still not quite all here.”

“Don’t worry,” she grins. “I figured.”

She is dressed in jeans and a comfy sweater. It’s the first time I have seen her like that, so casual and relaxed. I guess I have become a full part of Aden’s life by now.

“Are you sure Mateo doesn’t want to come in?” Aden asks.

“Mateo is here too?” I ask.

Lynn chuckles, first facing Aden. “Yes,” she says, before turning towards me. “Was. He brought me but has some work to do with Sterling.”