“What?” he asked.
“It's just—it can't bethathard. You should just tell her when you see her?—”
“She didn't even come home last night,” he argued. “She wasn't answering her phone.”
“I know,” I said, gently. “But all week?—”
“It's not that easy Ryan, she doesn't want to talk to me.”
“You don't need a specific time,” I said. “Just spit it out.”
He stared at me, then pushed me firmly away.
“I'm going to go take a shower,” he said.
I swallowed, wanting to fix this but then he turned and walked away, not waiting for a response.
For a moment, I stood there and then I sagged back down into my seat, head throbbing with renewed vigour.
This wasn’t my job to fix for him. I could stand by his side and even hold his hand while he told her, but if he justwouldn’t do itthen there was nothing else I could do.
I took some pain killers and then resumed fidgeting in my seat, waiting for him to come back down.
When he did, sometime later, he was fully dressed wearing my clothes and a scowl.
“Will you come with me?” he asked.
“What?” I asked, not following.
He looked down, hugging his arms like he was shielding himself.
“Will you come talk to Melissa with me?” he asked. “I don't think I can do it alone.”
I stood and went to him, pulling him into my arms and holding him while I tried to find my voice.
“Come on, Ryan,” Kamran groaned, pressing his face into my shoulder. “Tell me yes, or to fuck off already.”
I shook my head.
“No way am I ever telling you to fuck off, Kam,” I chuckled. “I'll come with you, of course. I’ll support you.”
He relaxed against me, finally unwinding his arms from that protective position and wrapping them around my waist.
“Thank you,” he whispered against my neck.
For a long minute, we just held on, breathing each other in.
“When?” I finally asked.
He took one more deep breath against my neck, grounding himself, and then pulled back.
“After breakfast,” he said. “I'm starving now.”
I nodded, smiling.
“Sit down. Let me cook for you.”
He chuckled and went to the table, taking a seat and watching with his chin resting on his hand as I moved around the kitchen.
