*


    Ignoring his dad''s look, James got up and wandered over to the window to take a call. Trevor watched his rebellious son, feeling like he was swallowing a bitter pill. First, it was about a gift for meeting his future daughter-inw, and now it''s about her medical bills. When did his son get so nitpicky?


    The call was from Dane, and it wrapped up quickly. After a brief pause, James


    turned back to Trevor in the hospital bed, "Dad, I''m heading out."


    Trevor, having eavesdropped a bit, asked, "Is Niki not feeling well?"


    James nodded, "Yeah, I''ll check on himter."


    Trevor knew Niki well and advised, "Send him my best."


    "Will do." James pocketed his phone and left the hospital room.


    He took the elevator down to the parking lot, hopped into his car, and called Wyatt to prep a gift before driving off to Prestige College.


    By the time he reached Prestige College, Mirabe was just wrapping up in theb. She asked about his father''s recovery as she buckled her seatbelt.


    Recalling Trevor''s energetic dash to the restroom earlier, James said, "Pretty good, actually. He''s got a spring in his step."


    "That''s a relief," Mirabe nodded.


    "Yep." As he started the car, James added, “Niki''s under the weather. I''ll drop you home first, then swing by to see him."


    Mirabe looked surprised, "Niki''s sick? That''s odd, he seemed fine when I saw him the other day."


    "Is it the season for colds? First David, now Niki?" she mused.


    "Not sure, probably nothing major." James hadn''t picked up any rm in Dane''s tone during their chat.


    Mirabe drummed her fingers on her knee, "Okay, I''ll skip the visit. Call me if anythinges up."


    Though she wasn''t keen on Niki''s kids, she respected Niki for his honesty. Dane had tried to snag her medical form through Niki, but unlike others, Niki came clean with her. That honesty earned her respect.


    James agreed and didn''t say more about Niki.


    Before long, he dropped Mirabe at her ce and then headed over to Dane''s spot.


    **


    Wyatt was already outside Dane''s vi, gift box in hand. Spotting James''s car, he


    headed over, "James."


    James gave a nod in greeting.


    Wyatt didn''t waste time and rang the doorbell.


    Inside, Dane heard the bell and nced at the incense burner on the


    coffee table, wisps of smoke act


    trailing


    up. Instead of sending Marian, he


    went out to greet James himself.


    “James, d you could make it," Dane said, nodding respectfully to both James and Wyatt.


    James gave a slight nod, following Dane inside, "How''s Niki doing?"


    "Just a touch of the sniffles, but he''s dback after some r


    Hnced


    g you''re visiting pert


    right up," Dane chuckled.


    They stepped into the living room, where the scent of incense was just right, not overwhelming.


    Trailing behind, Wyatt handed the gift to Marian and took in the room, hardly noticing the incense aroma.