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“It’s calming.” Athena dragged in a deep breath and let it out slowly, her eyes fluttering shut as she pressed her head into the door. “No one else comes in here.”

“So it’s only for you?”

“Yes.”

They fell into a comfortable silence. Monti watched Athena carefully while Athena sat there quietly with her eyes closed. Monti moved her toes in her shoes, biding the time as she waited for Athena to calm down even more.

“Are you okay that I’m here?” Monti finally asked. “I know we didn’t end on the greatest note last time.”

The question hung in the air, the tension taut from finally being asked. Monti was seeking permission and forgiveness, needing it before she could move forward with anything else. She shuddered and waited.

Athena didn’t answer her. Instead, she released her knees and straightened them out, mimicking Monti’s posture. Athena rubbed her thigh, the heel of her palm pushing hard into the muscles three times before she stopped. She lifted her hand and reached over, setting it on top of Monti’s. Athena curled her fingers around Monti’s hand. She relaxed, her shoulders dropping even more.

Curious, Monti scooted a little closer. “I take it that you’re not kicking me out of the room this time.”

Athena turned her head, looking directly into Monti’s eyes. She looked so wary, so broken and vulnerable. Her lips parted and quivered as if she was trying to speak but couldn’t find the syllables to make the words. Monti waited patiently, giving Athena whatever time she needed. Fingers tightened around Monti’s.

“Stay,” Athena whispered.

“Are you sure?”

“You’re the only one making this better.”

“Athena,” Monti murmured, covering her hand and rubbing the edge of her thumb along Athena’s skin. “You must be so lonely.”

Athena choked, fresh tears falling down her cheeks. “You have no idea.”

“Tell me.” Monti bit her lip.

Shaking her head, Athena tilted it onto Monti’s shoulder and sighed. “No.”

“Can I take a guess as to why?” Monti continued the sweet pattern against Athena’s hand, hoping it would keep the same calm quality.

“Sure.”

“Something happened twenty-one years ago—”

“Twenty-two,” Athena interrupted. She flicked her gaze up to Monti’s. “It’s been almost twenty-two.”

Monti smiled. That was more information than she’d anticipated getting out of Athena. “Thank you for trusting me to share that.”

Athena nodded, the movement so subtle that Monti would have missed it if Athena wasn’t still resting against her.

“You don’t have to tell me what it is, but almost twenty-two years ago, something happened. And that something shut you off from the world. You haven’t let anyone in since. Including Simon.” Monti trailed off as she said his name, realizing for the first time that that was the reason for the distance between them. “I think you let Kevin in but only because you knew him before and only so much.”

“Touché,” Athena answered, relaxing even more.

Monti moved her hand up Athena’s wrist to her elbow and then back down. “They’re all worried about you.”

“I know. But I can’t…” Athena turned her face into Monti’s shoulder, burying herself. “I can’t deal with them today.”

“You don’t have to.” Monti moved her head, catching a full whiff of Athena’s scent. Tingles ran through her body. This closeness was almost too much. She was there to hold a safe space for Athena, and yet, there was so much more going on in this undercurrent. More than she could possibly put words to right now. “I’ll do it.”

“Kevin will be fine. But Fallon—”

“Worries about anyone and everyone.”

Athena hummed her agreement. “She’s very sweet with her concern.”