Larissa's POV
We shared our meal without much conversation, the quiet between us comfortable rather than awkward.
The warm food settled perfectly in my stomach, finally pushing away that empty ache that had been with me since leaving the hospital earlier.
"How's your dad holding up?" Carson asked, cutting through the silence.
"He's doing better. The operation was successful, but the doctors say he'll need weeks to fully recover." I wound linguine around my fork carefully. "I can't thank you enough for getting Dr. Coleman involved. The staff mentioned he rarely accepts new cases."
"He was returning a favor."
"It must be convenient having the country's top heart surgeon owing you one."
Carson lifted his shoulders dismissively. "I funded a new medical facility at the hospital recently. It makes these requests more manageable."
I stopped eating entirely. "You funded what now?"
