"You can only do so much," Nav said about the Cole matter. "I just think you should let him get evicted if... if he can't pay the rent." Nav shrugged, perhaps a little unfeeling toward Dakota's stepbrother.
"But," she winced back as he pulled her in for a hug in the bathroom doorway. Their breath was minty fresh as they were almost in bed. "That's so cold, don't you think?"
"I just want you to stop worrying about him. It's not going to do any of you any good."
She pressed her lips and looked away from his intense dark eyes.
"You've never been worried about him until now." He hugged her close, and her tired body gave in. He kissed her forehead.
She sighed as she needed to be held. She needed to stop thinking about her troubled step-brother.
"I just wish Lizzie could be at my place instead of Cole," she told him.
Nav wanted to ask if this was because of Ezra letting Lizzie move in with him, but he didn't. He let go and took the next step to pull the comforter back so they could finally get in bed.
"You know, together. Lizzie and Ezra could afford a two-bedroom place." Nav finally let slip.
Dakota nodded as she lay back on her pillow, and Nav reached to turn off the lamp at the nightstand. It was dark, but not completely, as the city lights brought in a faded light. They could find each other by touch and soon were spooning in the quiet.
"I hope he's happy," she finally murmured.
Nav didn't think she was talking about Cole, but he wouldn't ask. It was true, love was full of compromise, and each day brought new challenges, but still, he felt this was right where they wanted to be.
Cole would figure out his troubles sooner or later, and Ezra had moved on. He hadn't spoken to Dakota in months. Perhaps Ezra was childish, too, but at least he had Lizzie around.
