Page 4 of Love on the Brain
Ryan followed the sounds of chatter down the hall, passing a living area where Noah, Jamie, and three other kids he presumed belonged to Lexi were eating at a kid-size table under the supervision of a teenage girl.
“Ryan!” Dale Allen clapped him on the back and placed a champagne flute into his hand as he stepped into the expansive 1950s-style kitchen. “Thanks for your help earlier. Connie’s much better.”
Ryan followed his gaze to the corner where Connie was conversing with Molly’s mother-in-law. What was her name again? “I’m glad to hear it. Follow me to the coffee?”
“No need. I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate you.” Dale pressed his lips together and blinked rapidly.
Ryan put a hand on his shoulder. “Noah’s going to be fine.”
“Yeah. I know. I just can’t help but think—”
Ryan cut him off. “Jane’s coming in now.”
Dale nodded and excused himself, hugging Jane on his way back to the food. Ryan quickly made her coffee, black with two teaspoons of sugar. Shoot, he should have checked on the muffins first. If they were out, he’d be waiting when the diner opened the next morning and buy them all.
He might do that anyway. Comfort food had always consoled Jane.
Armed with her coffee and his glass of champagne, he waited for her to approach. Where he was standing off to the side, they could talk privately.
Jane accepted the coffee with gratitude. “Thanks. Cheers?”
“Cheers,” he replied. Their drinks clinked to echo the sentiment, and he sipped the bubbly. “I haven’t made it to the muffins.”
“No worries!” Molly swooped in, her mass of tight blond curls fanning out behind her, two muffins on one plate. “I got ya covered, Doc.”
He laughed. She’d always called him that, even when he was an undergrad. “You rock.”
“I know. So…” She looked at Jane, then tossed a glance over her shoulder. “Connie and Beverly have become instant besties and wanted to know if they could organize a meal schedule for when you get back.”
Beverly. That was her name.
Jane groaned. “I really don’t think—”
Molly held up her hands. “Look, we didn’t drive all the way up here from Boston just for the dedication, you know.” Her tone softened. “You’re my best friend, Jane. Since preschool, we’ve been there for each other. Just because I’m living away for a few months doesn’t change that. It’ll be like college again, when you were away. We’ll cram everything we can into short visits until the next time we’re together. Which will be soon, because I havetwoweddings to plan.”
“That’s right!” Jane exclaimed. “I need to congratulate JC and Caroline. I haven’t even seen her ring yet.” Shelby and Damon were the other wedding, but they were waiting on Noah and his recovery to set a date.
“It’s pretty,” Molly said. “Very classy, like Cara.”
“Cara?” Ryan asked.
“That’s Caroline’s nickname,” Molly supplied. “I’ll let you two get to those muffins. I think the parlor is empty if you want to chat alone.”
Ryan had the sudden urge to do just that. “I’ll follow you?” he asked Jane.
“I’ve got our coffees. Let me just grab forks and napkins.”
“I got ’em.” The plasticware was set up next to the coffee station, and he had a free hand. He plucked two sets, wrapped in napkins, from a basket. He kept his gaze on his coffee to avoid making contact with any of the other guests. He was here for Jane, and Noah, and wouldn’t feel right until he was confident that she was in the right headspace for tomorrow’s procedure.
“This room is Caroline’s next project,” Jane said.
The small room, papered from floor to ceiling in a dated print from over a century ago and furnished with heavy mahogany wood, velvet, and brocade, looked like it hadn’t been updated since. Doily-covered side tables held gilded lamps, vases, and ornate picture frames.
Jane sat in a mauve wingback chair and set her coffee on a side table. Ryan placed his next to hers and handed her a plasticware set.
“I should’ve grabbed another plate,” she apologized, holding up a muffin.
“No worries.” He unrolled his set and unfolded the napkin, spreading it out over his lap.
