“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I tell him. “I like talking about Rylie, even when it’s sad.”
He wraps his arms around my shoulders and pulls me close. “You became a pediatric nurse because of her.”
“Yeah. I knew I wanted to be around children, and as weird as it sounds, it makes me feel closer to her. I want to do good by her, make her proud.”
“By the sounds of it, I’d say she’d be very proud.” His smile is genuine.
We turn our heads, putting our attention on Natalie who’s staring dreamily at us with tear-filled eyes. “I’m not crying.” She wipes her cheeks.
I laugh through my own tears. “Me either.”
“Me either,” Alex says in a thick voice, making Natalie and I both laugh.
We finish our breakfast and part ways with Natalie so she can start packing.
“So…” Alex begins as we walk hand in h
