The Prozac helps, but he could swear he's going mad sometimes, interpreting every little thing she does like it's some sort of smoke signal calling out to him for rescue. Seeing the promise ring is the first thing that sends him spiraling, but he pulls himself together when he reminds himself that its just a piece of jewelry and she's allowed to wear it without thinking of him.
Next, it's the cigarettes. When she lights one up one evening over dinner with Paul, he does a double take. "I thought you quit smoking."
She simply rolls her eyes and breathes a smoke cloud in his direction. "Old habits die hard, I guess."
Paul supposes he's the linchpin in their fragile relationship, one of the few they both enjoy being around—separately, of course. He tries not to mention his time spent with one while in the presence of the other, but he's stopped apologizing for it when he slips up because neither seem to mind.
The very next evening as he sits on Ian's couch enjoying a Lakers game, he brings it up. "Nina's smoking again…" He's not even entirely sure why he says it, fully aware that there's really nothing to be done, and besides, it shouldn't concern Ian anyway.
But the way he draws in a breath at the mention of her name tells him all he needs to know.
"How is she?" He doesn't make eye contact when he asks like he's afraid of the reality of it.
"She's been better." Paul offers a weak smile as Ian pours himself another shot of bourbon and knocks it back. "You've been better too, my friend."
Author's Note: Thanks for following along... I really intended for this to be a shorter piece, but, sticking with the "S" theme for chapter names, I've already thought of so much more to write about. Sneak preview? Sea, Stubble, Sincerity, South Africa, Someone New... Keep the ideas coming! I will continue to update as long as the support is here!