"Sure," Lauren said to Samuel, attempting a pleasant expression for the first time since he arrived. "That sounds great."
Samuel, towering at almost 6.4, stood tall and confident. His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm; he was always ready to find joy in the simplest things.
"Perfect!" he exclaimed. "I'll have him meet you at breakfast tomorrow. You two can grab a bite and take it from there."
Oh, but I usually—"
"I know." Samuel cut her off as his smile pressed into a thin line now, his forehead creased with concern.
"Of course, I understand if you're missing Elliott. It's natural to feel that way when someone you care about is not around— If you want to talk about it, I'm here to listen and offer support." Samuel said his words had a deeper meaning for her, letting her know that he was more than just her doctor, but also a friend.
