Page 6 of F Is for Honey Bee

“I’m okay.”

“I thought ‘okay’ packed up and left hours ago?” Kijani said in a calm, soothing tone.

Jonah was holding himself together with sheer determination, but his determination was beginning to crumble under the intense pressure, like a dam on the brink of collapse.

“Do you have a support system?” Kijani asked.

“No.” Jonah cleared his throat, his eyes still closed. He hadn’t spoken to his mom in years and had no desire to do so. Their relationship had been rocky for a very long time. He was friendly with his coworkers, with the people who frequented the same establishments as him, but no one he could call for emotional support.

“If you need to, you can talk to me,” Kijani sweetly offered.

Part of Jonah wanted Kijani to leave so he could deal with this in private, but another part of him wanted to beg the guy to stay so he wouldn’t be alone. “That’s kind of you, but this is my problem to handle.”

Kijani gave Jonah’s shoulder a gentle squeeze before removing his hand. “I get that, but you don’t have to be in this alone.”

Surprised by the sincerity in his voice, Jonah opened his eyes and looked at him. Then he nodded, unable to find the words to express his gratitude.

“I want you to know you can call me anytime, day or night, if you need someone to talk to.” Kijani moved toward the front door.

With an abrupt jolt, Jonah took a step forward. “Kijani!”

The deputy pivoted to meet his gaze.

“I…” Jonah’s trembling worsened as he fought to breathe. Being alone had never bothered him before. In fact, he enjoyed his solitude.

But not tonight. Not when he could still feel the throb in his arm.

With a fierce expression, Kijani closed the distance between them. Strong arms cradled Jonah and held him close. Jonah might have felt charmed and confused and even joked with the deputy, but right now, the only thing he felt was afraid.

He borrowed Kijani’s strength in that hug, finally felt like he could catch his breath. Surprisingly, the dam hadn’t collapsed like he thought it would. There were a few trickling tears as Kijani stroked his fingers through Jonah’s hair, but there was no ferocious burst.

There was only a sense of peace, of protection and safety while tucked against him. Which made no sense to Jonah, but at the moment, he didn’t want to try and understand it.

He only wanted to soak it in.

After a long moment, Jonah pulled back and stared up into warm, compassionate eyes. “Thank you.”

Kijani brushed the pad of his thumb over Jonah’s cheek. “Anytime, honey bee.”

“I’m not sure you should call me that considering the pollination reference.”

A broad smile curled Kijani’s lips, showing off perfect white teeth. “It’s our little inside joke.”

“Because you think I go from one guy to the next?”

“Because you pass your nectar around until it becomes honey.” Kijani’s eyebrows knitted. “That…did not come out right.”

“No, it didn’t.” Jonah would have been offended if the guy hadn’t looked so bewildered. Which told him Kijani hadn’t been trying to insult him. Though it hadn’t worked, Kijani had been trying to flatter him.

Jonah was a little flattered.

Just a tiny bit.

“Do-over?”

“Are you sure you don’t want to quit before I decide you’re not as charming as I thought you were?” Jonah asked, realizing too late what he’d just said. The deputy was simply being kind, offering comfort, trying to lighten the mood. He was going to think Jonah really did pollinate flowers.

“You have to give me a chance to win back those brownie points.” Kijani flashed him a smile.

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