Page 27 of Soaring and Steadfast

“Me too,” he offered. “Do you want to sit here a little longer?”

“Do you mind?”

“Nah, this is heaven to me.”

“Me too,” she sighed, and he scooted a little closer, patting his shoulder easily – and to her surprise, she rested her head against it like it was nothing. They sat there for another hour, silent, yet together.

CHAPTER EIGHT

PASTEUR

Louis fought to keep his emotions in check, to keep from drowning in the weight of everything pressing down on him. Butmannn…

Lila.

She was sitting right there beside him, silent, her hands clenched in her lap, and he felt like he was watching a fragile thread unravel right before his eyes. He had spent countless nights talking to her, looking forward to those stolen moments of connection—hisbestie, as Trophy’s little sister would call it. And yet, here she was, just inches away, yet feeling worlds apart as they drove toward the hospital.

After what had to be the worst night of his life, this moment should have beengood, something solid. Instead, he felt like he was walking on thin ice, and every step threatened to crack beneath him.

He turned onto the parking garage ramp, keeping his hands steady on the wheel even as his pulse thundered in his ears. She was incredible, and he was falling for this woman, his friend. He trulylikedher. His heart was on the line, so quickly, so fast, butit wasn’t just a fleeting thing but something deeper because heknewher.

He knew her from their texts, from their casual remarks tossed lightly between them, and his best friend was suddenly housed within this regal woman beside him. And it wasn’t justhisfeelings anymore to consider—it was hers, too.

Lila just didn’t feel the same, and heknewit. She had too many personal battles, too many demons, and he was fully aware that this might be a losing battle he was preparing for. That realization burned. It settled in his chest like an open wound, raw and unrelenting.

And yet, none of it mattered when he looked at her. When hereallylooked at her.

Her face was ashen despite the time they’d spent outside in the sun. Her lips were bloodless, pressed so tight together that it sent a sharp pang of fear through him. It was like watching someone brace for a collision they couldn’t avoid.

She’s not okay.

The moment he eased into a parking spot near the elevators, he exhaled, gripping the wheel. The words felt heavy, but they had to be said.

“I’m excited to celebrate the arrival of the baby,” he murmured, his voice softer now, careful, deliberate. “But not at the expense of my friend. Do you want to sit here and talk for a moment?”

He reached for her hand, holding it carefully like he was afraid she’d slip through his fingers.

“I hear that I’m a pretty good listener…”

Her laugh came, but it was thick, strained. When she glanced at him, he saw the sheen of unshed tears in her dark eyes, a betrayal of the words that followed.

“I’ll be fine.”

But he could hear the unspoken lie in it.

“If you’re not – that’s okay,” he said, his voice steady even as he felt his chest tighten. “You’re not alone.”

Her gaze met his, searching, uncertain. And then, with the smallest nod, she bit her lip—almost shyly.

“I think that iswhyI’ll be okay.”

“If you fall, I’ll catch you—I promise.”

The breath she let out was shaky, but she held onto his words like a lifeline.

“Thank you,” she whispered, so softly he barely heard it. Then, she pulled in another ragged breath, one thathurtto listen to.

“It’s just hard, you know? I’ve been here. Well, nothere, but another hospital floor, and nothing can ever…”

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