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Virat entered the breakroom first. The surgery he and Allen had just completed hadn’t gone well. The prognosis was not good. They needed a break. Badly.
They had an hour before the next surgery would demand their attention. Men had to eat, after all.
He stopped walking when he saw the blond woman snuggled in the recliner that was far too big for her. He glanced over his shoulder and held a hand up to his lips.
She needed to sleep.
The call on a patient of hers had come just after five thirty that morning, and they’d been up late the night before.
“That chair’s big enough to practically swallow her,” Allen said, staring down at her. “She looks like a kid.”
“She’s just small. Hard to see that until she actually stops moving.” Fin buzzed around constantly; it was a decided contrast between awake Fin and sleeping Fin. It had taken him a few days to realize it was her way of avoiding what terrified her.
Fin needed someone to just make her stop sometimes. Stop and breathe. He half thought, if she stopped, then she’d have to face the fears he didn’t think she’d fully dealt with yet.
He grabbed a blanket out of the cabinet and tossed it over her.
Fin liked to snuggle beneath heavy blankets—or curl up against his chest. Virat touched her braid lightly, moving it to one side.
He let his hand linger.
When he looked up, Allen was watching him, a knowing look in his eyes.
“You’re involved with her.”
Virat just nodded.
He would never deny it.
“You’re a lucky man, Vir. Don’t forget that.”
Allen’s pain was right there for him to hear. All Virat could do was nod.
They stayed where they were, talking quietly, for the next forty-five minutes. Fin never stirred.
He fought the guilt. Part of the reason she was so tired was because of him. Finally, her eyes slipped open, and she looked around.
Her eyes met his. She smiled. Just a sweet, welcoming smile that was absolutely perfect.
“Hi. Allen and I decided to keep you company while we ate. Have you eaten?” She didn’t take the best care of herself, always forgetting to eat while she did fifteen thousand other things.
Virat had found he liked being able to fuss over this woman.
She shook her head.
“I have extra.”
He scooted over, making room on the small couch next to him.
She took the seat, easing into pressing against him.
Fin felt absolutely perfect exactly where she was.