“Apparently,” I say. “Against my will.”
Finn snorts quietly.
Koa’s gaze lingers on my face, sharper now. “Are you working tomorrow?”
The idea makes my stomach roll.
“I…maybe,” I say slowly. “I should. I’m still new. Can’t really afford to start calling in sick all the time.”
Finn’s jaw tightens, just a fraction.
Koa frowns. “Are you sure? You don’t really seem up to it.”
“No,” I admit. “But I don’t really have a choice. Maybe one more day off? At most.”
There’s a beat of silence.
“I’m going to be messaging you. So that I can check in,” he says easily. “Text me back. That way at least I’ll know you’re not dead on your kitchen floor somewhere.”
“I’m not?—”
“I know,” he cuts in, still relaxed. “But humour me.”
I glance at Finn. He doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t move. Just watches, unreadable.
I nod before I can overthink it.
“Cool. I’ll leave you two to it then. You’re in safe hands with Finn.” He pauses at the door, glancing back at me. “Don’t push it, yeah?”
“I won’t,” I promise. I hope it’s true.
After he leaves, the house settles again.
Quiet. Warm.
Finn sits back down but doesn’t say anything about the impromptu visit from Koa.
Almost immediately, the tension in my body eases another notch, like something inside me has been holding its breath and finally lets go.
I hate how obvious it is.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Better,” I admit. “When you’re here.”
The words slip out before I can stop them.
Something flashes across his face – surprise, maybe. Or something heavier. He covers it quickly.
“Good,” he says softly. “That’s the goal.”
I lie back, eyes closing again, exhaustion washing over me in a gentler wave this time.
As I drift, one thought surfaces, quiet but insistent.
Sol hasn’t been by.
Not today. Not since the morning after the storm when he moved some of the plants for me.