Knix turned back around. “What’s wrong, LittleBit?”
“Will you lay down with me?” Iblurted.
He froze for a moment as if surprised by therequest.
"You don't have to if you don't want to," I assured him quickly. "I justmeant—"
"Of course," he interrupted, moving back towards the bed. Knix stood over me, his eyes the color of darkened sapphires as he stared down atme.
I moved over instinctively as he sat on the mattress and swung his legs up. As soon as he was rested back against the pillows, I moved closer and snuggled up to his side. I breathed in his scent as I laid my head down on his chest. My hand clenched in the fabric of his shirt as I closed myeyes.
He was right. It really had been a long day. It had been a long few weeks too. But today had been...well, it hadn't exactly been a good day. I was glad that things seemed to be figured out—or in the process of being figured out—with Teddi, but I still couldn't stop thinking about the conversation I'd had with Dr.Galston.
"You seem sad, Little Bit," Knix said. "Do you want to talk aboutit?"
I inhaled sharply. If I were to tell anyone about what happened at the Care Center today, it would be Knix. I knew he would understand. Not only was he perceptive, but he had been through something similar with his dad. I held my breath for a moment more as the emotions I had pushed aside earlier to deal with Grayson came rushing back to the forefront. My eyes watered and burned as I tried to keep the tears from escaping. I counted down the seconds in myhead.
One.
Two.
Three.
Breathe.
One.
Two.
Three.
Breathe.
All the while, Knix remained quiet, patiently waiting for when I was ready. I'd never be ready to lose mymom.
“I took Michael to see my mom,” I started. Knix’s hand came up and stroked the top of my head. I closed my eyes as his fingers moved through the strands of my hair soothingly. “And while I was there, my mom’s doctor asked to speak tome.”
Knix’s hand never stopped stroking as I told him why. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t offer any condolences. He merely held me and slid his fingers through my hair as I told him what Dr. Galston had said. Told him that my mom wasn’t going to make it and there was nothing they or I or anyone could do aboutit.
Knix didn’t say anything as my tears finally escaped and ran down my cheeks, soaking into his shirt. Every once in a while, he would squeeze me tighter—offering me the strength of his comfort. But in the end, we both knew the truth, there was nothing else he could do or offer. The universe was the ultimate decision maker and we were just here until it was ready to let usgo.
“I have to make a decision,” I finally said after I had gotten everything else out and my tears had calmed down. “I didn’t get a chance to talk with her a lot about it because Michael was waiting, but I guess I’ll have to figure out what she wants. If she wants to stay there or…” I paused, uncertain. I didn’t want to assume the guys would let her come home with me, but where else would I takeher?
Sensing my thoughts, Knix sat up a little, pushing his back against the headboard as he turned me to face him. “If you want her to come live here, she can,” he said, his eyes boring into mine. They were serious and sincere, much like the man himself. “This is your home, Harlow. No matter whathappens.”
I sniffed hard. “I don’t want to lose her,” Iadmitted.
His eyes softened and he leaned forward pressing firm lips to my forehead. “I know you don’t,” he whispered against myskin.
“How did you handle it?” I asked. “With yourdad?”
Knix sighed and leaned back. “I was really mad at my mom for a long time. Though I knew it wasn’t her fault, I still blamed her. It wasn’t until recently that I really started to overcome hisloss.”
“What helped you?” I watched his face, waiting for something, a sign,maybe.
Knix smiled as he looked at me. “Well, taking over his company helped me to connect with him in a healthy way. I was getting out and working. In a way, I felt like by continuing his business, I was honoringhim.”
I had a feeling there was something else. “But…?” I prompted when he didn’t immediatelycontinue.