May as well call it a night.
As he opened the door, Fin was surprised to see Chloe just walking out of the office where they'd been talking earlier.
What was she still doing here?
It was almost eight, nearly four hours since he’d left her in tears.
An overwhelming need to go to her filled him.
He hated to see her cry. It ate at him, taking a little piece of his heart with every tear that fell. He wanted to hold her in his arms, wipe away her tears, and promise her that everything would be okay. He wanted to wash away the last seven months with all their hurt and grief and anger and doubts like they never happened.
His feet began moving before his brain even registered what he was doing.
“Fin.”
He stopped and turned to see Eric Abbott approaching him.
By the time he turned back around, Chloe had disappeared. Part of him wanted to chase after her, but maybe it was a sign. Okay, he’d given her a harsher final nail in the coffin of theirrelationship than he had intended—or should have—but at least now it was done. She wasn't going to be holding out hope for something that was never going to happen, and he felt like he had taken the first step toward letting go of his anger.
“What's up?” he asked, turning back to his friend and colleague.
“It’s Taylor,” Eric replied.
“What about her?”
“She’s freaking out.”
“What do you want me to do about that?” They had all agreed—he, Eric, Taylor’s parents—that it was best if he made a clean break with her. Dragging things out or coming back when she manipulated to get her way wasn't productive.
“She had a nightmare.”
“Did she remember something? If she did, then you really want Tom and Chloe.”
“No, she didn't remember something, but she woke up in a panic. She’s hysterical, but she won't let anyone near her. She threw her family out of the room, and every time I try to go in, she gets worse. I think you need to go and see if you can calm her down.”
He shook his head. “That’s counterproductive, and you know it. Am I going to come running every time she asks for me? I feel sorry for her, and I hope she can find a way to get through this, but I can't be there for her long term. You know that. Her family knows that. She needs to start leaning on them and not me. If I do this, I’m telling her that she can get me to come back whenever she chooses. How long are we supposed to let that go on for? I know it’s hard for her, but I think I would be doing more harm than good if I go in there.”
“You're her safe place right now, Fin; maybe she needs you while we transition her across to her parents. What if we work on you going in there, giving her that sense of peace and stabilitythat she needs, and then we’ll have her parents go in. That way she’s not completely relying on you.”
Although he still thought he was right and that this was not actually going to help Taylor’s recovery, he knew he’d do it. How could he not? She’d been through something so horrific, and even though he was afraid he was only actually making things worse by continuing to be her safe place, he couldn’t leave her alone.
“Okay.”
“Thanks.”
Fin cast one last look at the emergency room doors. Was it too late to go and find Chloe or was she already gone?
“You know she still loves you,” Eric said quietly.
“I know.”
“You still love her too.”
“I do.”
“Then do something about it.” Eric sounded both perplexed and annoyed.
“I can't.”