"You've been staring at your phone for twenty minutes."
Marcus looked up from where he sat on the couch. Aria was in her wheelchair by the window, watching him with those sharp eyes that missed nothing.
"Have I?" Marcus set the phone down. "Sorry. I was just thinking."
"About the call this morning."
Marcus nodded and rubbed his face. "James called again. Third time this week, he sounds genuinely worried, and I keep giving him nothing."
"That's what we agreed on. Limited information to everyone."
"I know. But it feels wrong." Marcus stood and walked to the window beside her. "James has been my closest friend for ten years. He was there when Catherine died, sat with me through the worst nights, and helped me rebuild my life. And now I'm shutting him out completely."
Aria wheeled closer and took his hand. "You're not shutting him out. You're being careful. There's a difference."
"Is there? "He thinks I don't trust him, and that couldn't be further from the truth."
