just keep breathin'

“… Oh… Oh, Oak…” Avery sighed. She understood that horror far too well. The first time her father asked her about Liza after they’d broken up, she froze up for a good minute before breaking down in tears. It was painful. She gently took her hands into her own, her thumbs rubbing the back of her hands. “That’s understandable, yeah. I’m sorry… Thank god for Oz. Hopefully he’ll be back with your drinks soon. And especially something strong.” The author smiled softly. “I’ll stay with you for as long as you need, okay? Jack will understand. I got you and Oz will appear with some nice drinks. Dancing’s also good. We can drink some more and dance together. I’ll admit, I’m a beast on the dance floor, so I hope you can keep up.” She was doing anything she could to help her feel better. Maybe a laugh, maybe a smile, and she always has hugs ready to be given. All Avery knows right now is that she wanted to help her friend and make sure she has a good night. She deserves it so much.

Rion listened as the other explained what was going on and why she needed the rescue. He nodded as they stopped after a little bit and looked into her eyes. “You don’t owe telling anyone about your relationship status, but I’m happy to rescue you whenever it is needed.” He assured her and smiled down at Oakley. “You don’t owe me a thing. Helping someone in need is something I like doing, so no worries, Doc.” He took a deep breath. “So are you braving it on your own tonight or here with someone?” He asked her curiously.

***

She much preferred the younger Williams over the older one, with no offense to Atlas. Rion just seemed nicer and he hadn’t hit on her a thousand times. “Good to know I can put you on speed dial,” she grinned, thankful that he didn’t find it weird or annoying that she’d pulled him aside. “The offer still stands. Even if it’s a midnight call out to the Rescue, just let me know.” She’d taken emergency calls there before and she’d do it a thousand more times if they allowed her to. “I’m here with a friend,” she nodded, looking over to see Oz chatting it up with someone. “He didn’t want to come and I didn’t want to come either. Which, somehow meant we both came together,” she joked, head shaking. “What about you?”

Cole had been making his way through the crowd to get some refreshments when he felt someone grab his arm. It wasn’t a graze. It was a grab, even if it was gentle, so naturally, he pulled his arm away to glance at the one responsible with creased brows —At least, it was supposed to be a glance until he saw the look she wore. That combined with the words she used, it took him a couple of seconds to realize what might’ve been happening. It wasn’t the first time the Abrams was used as a ruse, but he usually knew the person well enough to be able to pick up on it in a heartbeat. For some reason, he was drawing a blank at what to say to her until he looked at the couple, which wasn’t exactly what he expected to see. “Uhm, right. Alright, yeah, sorry to interrupt folks. Duty calls,” he explained, tried to anyways, before turning back to her and gesturing for her to take the lead, “Ladies first.” I guess.

***

It was unlike Oakley to panic in any given situation. She was normally calm, collected, and moved quick on her feet. It was the perks of being a surgeon. Tonight, in front of the a lovely couple, she felt everything but calm, collected, and quick on her stupid feet. So, the first out she could take, she did just that. Smiling wide, Oakley stepped in front of the male, muttering a goodbye to the people before leading him to the refreshments table. If she hadn’t been embarrassed before, she was definitely so now. “I’m so sorry,” she hummed, hoping the man didn’t think she was a total weirdo. “I needed an out and I just reached out blindly. Which is weird and that’s why I’m apologizing. If I interrupted anything for you, I’m sorry.” She could apologize a million times, but it wouldn’t make anything less weird, would it? “Can I get you something? I feel like I probably owe you for saving me back there, even if you didn’t know what was going on.”

Spending time with Jack and with her friends, Avery was having a good time so far. It was nice to see everyone out and having fun. Or, at least were trying to. Avery had made it her mission to try and talk to as many people as often. To be able to make sure that no one was alone tonight. Kissing Jack and excusing herself for a moment, she had been heading over to the bar when she noticed Oakley. Ever since she met her a few weeks prior, the two have been meeting up often. Exchanging recipes and the young author even having been able to get the blonde in touch with her aunt. She really liked being around her, being able to start a friendship with her. She was about to head her way before noticing her already talking with a couple. However, the vet would soon end up seeing her and grabbing her arm. “H-Hey!” The look on her face caused Avery’s brows to furrow. She was genuinely confused; Did something go wrong? “Yeah, of course. Is everything okay, Oak? Should I get you some water? You look at if you’ve seen a ghost or something…”

She was enjoying being by herself, preferring it to all the people that happened to be swarming around her. All she hoped was that no one was talking about her and why she was back in time. She felt herself stop voluntarily as her arm was grabbed. The look in Oakley’s face was clear. Every woman had that look and it was the least that Vivi could do. “What can I pretend to do for you?” She figured that they would go through the motions of speaking. “Next time a creep comes up to you, it’s best to not even acknowledge him.” She advised, tapping the her finger on the beer that she was holding in her hand. 

It was very rare that Rion had gone out to functions like this, but with Callie back in town, he wanted to take her out and show her a good time. Get them both in a happy mood and nothing screamed that more than a charity event and something for Valentine’s Day, right? He thought so and after dropping off a bouquet to her and picking her up, they were off. Right now, he was off getting drinks for them before he was starting to head back to their table when he got stopped and he looked down to see Oakley talking with him. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but by the look she was giving him, she needed saving and he nodded at her. “Yeah, of course.” He smiled and nodded towards the door. “Let’s go talk now.” He said and he lead the way out of the room. “Everything okay or just someone annoying you? I’m happy to help either way.” He laughed softly.

***

As much as she wanted to admit that her girlfriend was no longer so, Oakley couldn’t bring herself to do so on a day as big as this one. The moment Rion pulled her away, the blonde felt her heartbeat settle, but the pain that filled her chest was still very much present. “Everything’s fine,” she nodded, swallowing down the painful lump in her throat. “They were asking about my girlfriend, which is no longer my girlfriend,” she hummed, brows rising and falling as she looked over her shoulder to see Oz grabbing drinks. “I just wasn’t ready to admit that to someone else right now. So, thank you. That rescue was definitely needed and now I owe you.”

characters: @providencepeakstarters​

It was heartbreaking in a way he couldn’t really fathom to see Oakley sad about anything– for the longest time he’d assumed it was the same protective affection he felt for his sisters that inspired those feelings in him whenever he saw her out of sorts in any way. He was more or less inclined to believe that was true even as he sat there listening to her discuss her girlfriend’s abrupt departure and felt a profound urge to comfort her in any and every way he knew how– to assure her that it would be difficult sometimes but she would be happy again before she knew it. “It’s just… firefighter stuff,” Oz said after a moment, glancing towards the side table that all of his textbooks had been balanced on since the day he’d gotten them. “This is– you’re way more important than studying, so– you definitely don’t need to be sorry about interrupting me. You can do it any time,” He explained, smiling. Oz was the sort of person who would drop anything for his friends the moment they needed him but Oakley was certainly one of the few people in the world who could have needed him to straight up murder someone and he likely would have followed through with it if she needed that from him. It was an extreme example, of course, but indicative of just how much he cared about her.

He reached up to scratch at the back of his neck with his free hand, tangling his fingers with Oak’s with his other hand– it was almost reflexive to want to have physical contact with her in some way when they were together and there was no hesitation in the gesture– simply a desire to comfort her if he could. “You can stay in the guest room whenever you want, Oak. No one else is ever really here and I really don’t mind,” He continued, a frown returning to his features after a moment at the thought of knowing Oakley was sad and lonely and that he might do anything at all with that knowledge that didn’t involve helping make her feel better. “I don’t know if I’m an inspirational speech kind of guy, darlin’,” He teased. “We can be the best friend break-up club— like the breakfast club but probably with more alcohol involved. I don’t know… exactly what you’re goin’ through but I know that it really fucking sucks when you’re heartbroken and I’m here, okay? For… whatever you need. I could use the company too, y’know? I think my eyes’ll fall out if I study anymore for the next couple days and I missed you, so. This feels like a win to me.” 

Oakley had never considered herself a selfish person, despite the selfish decisions she’d made in the past. In fact, she liked putting everyone else’s needs before her own, yet she’d failed to do so in the past few months. She’d worked hard on putting herself first, but those needs had been blinded by something she needed to work. “Crap,” she exhaled through slightly parted lips. She’d been so consumed by everything else that she’d totally forgotten about everything he was trying to do. “I’m the worst friend ever.” She felt bad for interrupting his studying, but there was no other place she wanted to be than with him. “How’s the studying going? I can’t remember the last time I studied for something. I’m sure you’re going to do amazing, though. You’re good at everything you do.” If he put his mind to it, Oz could achieve anything and she truly believed that. “If you need help studying, I can always help too. I didn’t get a full ride scholarship based off natural talent alone,” she grinned, feeling a bit better now that she had something else to focus on. “I promise I won’t make you do flashcards, but highlighting is a must.” Color-coding too, she failed to add.

For as much as Oz went through his day to day life with the intention of being a bright, happy person there were days when he couldn’t quite muster that feeling when he was by himself. The night after his break-up with Duke he’d spent nearly an hour on the phone with Ashton and Abby where all he’d been able to do was explain the situation and cry off and on until he’d drifted off to sleep. And then he’d had something to throw all of his attention into in the form of the fire academy and all of the classes and work associated with it and that allowed him to ignore the hurt and the loneliness and the desire to be by himself that had been more fierce and present in the week since the break-up than he could remember it being at any other point in his life with the exception of the months he’d spent avoiding everyone after he’d rotated home from the Middle East. He’d dozed off on the couch somewhere in the midst of reading through one of his new textbooks and the sound of a knock at the door served to rouse and startle him in equal measure– a dull thump the only other sound in the room as he scrambled and more or less fell off the couch in his haste to answer the door.

The sight of Oakley on the other side brought an immediate smile to his face but any greeting he could have offered was interrupted by the sound of her voice and he listened to her speak with a furrow between his eyebrows and a deep frown etched onto his features. “Oh, baby girl,” Oz’s voice was soft when he finally spoke and he stepped forward to wrap Oakley in a strong hug; he hadn’t answered her question but it felt to him that it wasn’t something he really needed to do when she knew him well enough to know that he’d do anything for her in a fraction of a second. He pressed a kiss to her forehead as he pulled away and smiled, “Yes, nerd, you can come in. I dozed off reading so this is already more entertaining than anything I was doin’ before,” He explained, retreating into his house and quietly flicking on lights as he went until he settled down on the couch in the living room, “Lock the door behind you, Oak!” He called, his voice echoing through the house as he rubbed his eyes and waited for Oakley to join him.

***

Austin Mikkelsen was a godsend beyond belief. When she was done, he always managed to help her back up in every way possible. He reminded her that things could get better if she let them. Seeing him there before her eased her heart a little. It was his goofy smile that allowed one to settle on her own lips, even if only temporary. The familiar smell of his cologne filled her head as she gripped his frame tightly, wondering if she’d ever want to let go now that she was there. Despite the desire to latch on, Oak pulled back, only to follow him inside to a place she’d considered her second home. She was comfortable there, most definitely because it was his space and anywhere he was, she felt safe. “You’re calling me a nerd and you were the one reading? I think you should maybe reevaluate that statement and maybe think of something else to call me,” she grinned, already feeling a bit better in his presence. Even if it didn’t fix everything, she already felt less alone. In her messed up playbook, that was better than she’d been feeling before.

Doing as she was asked, Oak turned the lock on the door and shrugged off her jacket. She placed her bag and her jacket on the coatrack and kicked off her boots before falling deeper into the home just as Oz had done. “Sorry to interrupt your light reading,” she hummed as she crawled onto the couch, knees tugged up to her chest. “I didn’t want to be alone tonight. It’s been a week and I don’t think I could handle another night of a silence house.” She didn’t even have the cat to keep her company. “I let myself fall too fast, which is usually the opposite of my issues with relationships. I don’t know what happened. Maybe we should’ve taken it slow, but I don’t think she’s coming back.” Her stuff was gone, she wasn’t at her job, and no text had been returned. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.” She could focus on her career once more, but that wasn’t entirely what she wanted. Focusing on a career only worked for so long before the loneliness would catch up to her again. “This is where you give me some kind of inspirational speech or something,” she half joked, her hand moving to rest atop his knee. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Oz. Seriously, I’d lose my mind.”

It was a testament to how rarely she allowed herself to get genuinely close to people that even her almost-relationship with Whitney had left her utterly heartbroken when it had been unceremoniously taken from her. They hadn’t even really had the chance to get near anything that resembled a proper relationship but that had meant very little to Charlie in the grand scheme of things when she tended to latch onto people the moment she felt remotely comfortable with doing so. It had– in most cases– gone alright and in the case of her relationship with Whitney gone remarkably wrong remarkably fast. Even picking up the pieces felt like a Herculean task when she only had half an idea of what would help her push through all of the self-loathing and sadness she’d been experiencing essentially without fail since it had happened. Daily visits to the art gallery in Summit Lake had become a habit if only because she could turn off most of the parts of her brain that were fixated on her own sadness in favor of appreciating the art; it didn’t hurt that her sponsor thought it would be good for her to get out of the house and she’d taken that advice to heart.

Blue eyes flickered towards the woman speaking to her absently and Charlie recognized Oakley if only because she was Indy’s vet and they’d met a small handful of times when Indy had been a kitten and Charlie had been taking him in for relatively regular appointments. “You’re not bothering me,” Charlie said quietly. She cleared her throat lightly– her gaze shifting towards the piece she’d been studying for the better part of the last ten minutes. “And you definitely don’t need to apologize,” She continued, her attention returning to Oakley as she offered the older woman a genuine, warm smile. “I’m sort of going through the same thing and the girl I was with wasn’t even really… my girlfriend yet, so. I’m positive I don’t have as much room to be upset but like, you’re all good– I’m a decent listener and sometimes it’s easier to listen when I don’t really know the person venting to me, y’know? I can be more objective. Even though you know my cat and me by extension, so, hi, doctor Grey. I’m just hanging out here so I can be around people– so, you can talk to me as much as you want. It’s seriously okay.”

***

The thing about being a veterinarian, was that everyone with a pet probably knew your name and maybe your face too. Oakley made a habit of familiarizing herself with clients, because the best way to treat an animal was to know their owner too. Sometimes she did better of assisting her clients, but sometimes she failed to do the most important thing. Part of her wanted to blame how much she’d put into her relationship, but that didn’t seem fair. She couldn’t blame her partner and happiness on her lack of dedication to her career. There should’ve been a healthy balance, one that allowed her the focus she needed on everything in her life. “Apologizing seems to be the easiest thing for me right now.” If she apologized for every little mistake made, maybe some kind of good fortune would be returned her way. Then again, holding out hope seemed to hurt more than she remembered.

Hearing someone relate to her situation made the woman feel a little more at ease. Breakups were the worst, but piecing one’s self back together after was important beyond belief. It was during the rebuild that Oakley had found herself last time, and it would be during the rebuild that she did the same this time around too. “It sucks,” she nodded, feeling a little lost for words, but knowing she had plenty to say. “I just don’t get it,” she hummed, a gentle smile settling on her lips as her name was called. Doctor Grey. She’d never get tired of hearing that. “I thought that we’d gotten it right this time. We dated in college and it was me that walked away. I guess karma waited ten years to strike back.” And it’d hit her hard. “I keep thinking she’s going to come back. Even if her stuff is gone. I haven’t been able to go to the bar she worked at because I’m almost afraid she’ll be there and I think that might hurt worse.” If she’d stayed in Providence Peak and was just avoiding Oakley entirely? “Losing people isn’t supposed to be easy, but I feel like it’s not supposed to hurt so much.” She’d lost both of her parents in a plane crash, but somehow, losing her partner seemed to sting a little more. Was it the fact that she’d left by choice? The fact that she’d walked away and was still out there somewhere? “I feel like this piece just screams fresh start,” she exhaled, a little frustrated with her own take. “And if that’s some kind of universal sign that I need to get it, message received.”

characters: oakley grey & @ozmikkelsen​.

Truth was; Oakley had been avoiding Oz for almost a week. She’d busied herself with extra shifts, on-calls, volunteer work, and anything else that took her attention away from home. Plus, she didn’t know how to tell him that her partner had left and wasn’t coming back, no matter how badly she wanted her to. Whether she liked it or not, it was a confession she needed to make sooner or later, regardless of how much it hurt.

So, with an apology bottle of booze in one hand, Oakley knocked on his front door and waited for him to answer. When the front door swung open, the blonde stepped closer, almost nervous to be seeing him again. “Before you tell me I don’t have to knock, I need to say something.” She didn’t need him brushing off her flaky behavior, but she knew he wouldn’t hold it against her. “I’ve been avoiding you all week. I’ve been working a lot and volunteering at the shelter because I didn’t know what I was supposed to say. She left, Oz. She left and she’s not coming back and I thought that she would,” she trailed off, feeling her chest tighten and grip on the bottle doing the same. “I’ve spent the last few months putting all of myself into her. I stopped working so much. I stopped seeing you so much. I lost parts of myself that I didn’t even realize I was losing.” It was easy being happy when someone was by your side, but when they left? It felt impossible. “I avoided you because you’re my best friend and I didn’t know how to tell you that I’m sorry. Which is why I brought this,” she offered, handing over the booze with ease. “I know it’s late, but I was hoping I could stay for a little?”

characters: oakley grey & @devynagar.

If anything made her feel better, it was sweets. She could snack all she wanted and the sugar rush would momentarily fill the void of her sadness. It was like being a kid all over again, which would’ve beat facing the pain she left. Was being alone best for her? Was it what she needed in order to move forward with her head held high? Was she her best self when it was just her? “I can’t believe I’m in my thirties and still coming to the candy store with just as much as excitement as I would have as a child,” she exhaled quietly, fingers thumbing through a barrel of loose candy that had been marked down. “You find the best deals here. Apparently anything that’s not up to their standards look-wise gets thrown in here.” Plus, it was a little cheaper than buying from the little window of chocolates.

characters: oakley grey & @searlaitflanagan​.

When Oakley made a commitment to someone, she made sure to do so fully and without hesitation. It was getting to the point of feeling comfortable with said commitment that always took her the longest. Perhaps taking that extra time should’ve been done this time around, but losing someone you expected to be with you forever was never an easy task to handle.  She’d tried though; through baking, extra shifts, and lots of volunteer work at the animal shelter. Nothing seemed to fill the void, not for more than a few hours at least.

With the day to herself and nothing left to bake, Oakley had decided to pull herself from the house. While tempted to call Oz, the female opted out and decided to do something for herself. She needed to stop relying on everyone else and get back to the woman she knew best. Of course, the art gallery was fairly close to her home. It was easier than driving downtown or anywhere else for that matter. “I used to come here a lot when I first moved back,” she hummed, hoping the woman next to her didn’t mind her words. “It’s beautiful and their collection keeps growing. The addition to the side wing wasn’t here a few years ago.” In fact, the gallery had grown a lot in the three years Oakley had been visiting. “It’s nice to know that people are still creating beautiful things.” It eased her mind a little to know that no matter what happened, art was always going to be there. “Every piece in this place has a story. I like hearing what people think.” She wasn’t an art critic by any means, but everyone had an opinion, right? “I’m sorry if I’m bothering you. I just, I’m going through a breakup right now and I just realized how much of myself I put into it and it’s a little overwhelming. Which, is way more than you want to hear. God, I’m sorry.” 

“Yeah?” She smiled at the blonde. She looked at the book with a shake of her head and laughed slightly. “I’m not really one for root beer either. Unless it’s a root beer float or something. But that might just be the ice cream overall.” Avery tucked the book away into it’s original spot, glancing over the other titles. Her attention was brought back to the blonde as she spoke, nodding along and smiling softly. Her brows rose as she listened. “Wait, really?” she laughed slightly in surprise. “I mean, beer batter is a thing, so I probably shouldn’t be too shocked. I just never would’ve consider that. Wow. My family and I never really did any barbequing or anything while I was growing up; my dad’s originally from India and my mum’s from Italy, so while we tried to integrate into the more American way of things, we didn’t really do that much. But I’m trying to become a better cook, so I’m really looking at any and all options and styles.” Her biggest concern was being able to actually make the meals and for Mars and her love to enjoy them. Especially Mars. Sure, the two year old was a sweetheart but he was a picky eater. So having trouble with cooking and trying to better that while also trying to figure out what her son likes within that moment is challenging. “Are there any recipes you know of that a novice cook can make and not screw up too horribly? Especially stuff that a two year old who’s kinda picky would enjoy? I’m completely out of my element here but I’m trying.”

Isabel looked at her sister’s girlfriend and shrugged her shoulder. “I think he was when we started but I like spending time with him and I can feel that it’ll inevitably end or he isn’t ready for anything serious so I don’t know what to do.” She could see the pain a mile away but she chose to keep going to his place whenever he texted her. It was a little sick and her vices had grown tenfold since meeting him but he made her feel a little more at home in a place where she didn’t have many friends or people she knew. At the mention of Jo, she shook her head. “It isn’t important enough to tell her. It’s really just sex and staying over with him every now and again.” She swallowing thickly. “I’m telling you to lie to her. You can tell her if she asks but if she doesn’t.” Her eyes moved over Oakley as she smiled lightly. “I will. Thanks for everything, Oak. I’m glad my sister has you.”

***

Oakley had never truly been in a situation like the one Isabel was explaining. Truth was, Oakley had always been the one to pull away in relationships after Joanna. She’d get close to someone, only to throw herself into work out of fear. No one could hurt her if she didn’t give them the chance to. “Do you think you could talk to him? Maybe being forward is exactly what you need to do. I don’t know if I’m the best person to really be giving advice, but I think it’s worth a try. It’s not fair to let yourself hurt when maybe he’s thinking the same thing.” Or, knowing Oakley’s luck, he wasn’t and she’d just set the female up for an inevitable heartbreak. Given she even took the advice in the first place. “As much as I want her to know about this, it’s not my place to tell her. And I only want her to know because she’s probably going to give better advice than I am. If she doesn’t go into major protective mode,” she hummed, understanding why she hadn’t been so open about it to the other female. “No need to thank me. You know you have me too, right? You’re important to Joanna and that makes you important to me too.”

It really was a hot flashback to their college days, back before they were officially out as a couple. It was back when they were sneaking around, brushing off comments from their friends who teasingly questioned them. They were sly back then but the excitement brought on a high that they never wanted to come down from. It really was dramatic but the fire was true. Joanna remembered it well. She was feeling it all the same at that moment. She shivered at it. She heard the little hum by Oakley which was basically like a quiet plea, and that only encouraged Joanna even more. She pushed that chick out of her mind and forgot about work. Or she was for that moment, focusing just on Oakley.

And oh, there was a table in there. How fun. Jo grinned against her neck and then carefully picked Oakley up by her thighs, carrying her over to the table against the wall. With one hand, she moved the stray items off it and sat Oak down. “It’s like college all over again,” Joanna commented in a breathy manner, grinning at her and kissing her again. “This feels familiar,” she pointed out with a sly smirk, trying not to burst out laughing at the memory. “Freshman year… free period… that closet on the second floor. You were giggling nonstop.” 

Oakley had always played it safe. She kept her head down and had focused on what she deemed the most important and that had been her education. Despite having more money than she knew what to do with as a child, her parents had taught her the importance of hard work and that nothing would be handed to her. So, her academics were always first and any learning opportunity she had, she took. She didn’t like to party, nor did she like the idea of sleeping around like many of her friends had done while in school. She just wanted to do the work and do the work well, but Joanna Lafayette had taken her by storm and she’d regretted nothing.

“I know. She knows how to get people to like her and want to be around her.” Isabel was someone who often got along with people properly or hated them from the get go, there was no in between for her. Looking back at the other, she shrugged her shoulder. “Not really. I mean, I’ve been having sex with someone but I’m just another girl to him.” She plopped down and put her legs up on the table in front of her. “I’m not even mad at it because it feels good to be close to someone. Still, it would be nice to have someone like me.” Maybe it would help her feel more like this was her home but she knew she couldn’t count on someone to do that for her. The brunette listened and considered maybe going to the shelter. She could get a cat even though she liked more dogs. They were easier to handle. Standing up, she nodded her head. “You know what, yeah. I’m going to show them and if they don’t want to believe it then it’s their loss. It can’t be that hard and I’m an asset no matter my experience.”

***

At the confession of sleeping with someone, Oakley’s brows shot up. Did she tell Jo? Did she leave it for Isabel to mention? Did she question? Of course she questioned. She had to. “What do you mean? I mean, I get that you think you’re just another girl to him, but is he just another guy to you?” She understood what it was like to want to be close to someone. Before Joanna had came into town, Oak had done a little dating, but nothing serious. Having Joanna back though had reminded her of just how good it was to be close to someone. And truthfully, maybe Oz had been the reason Oak had never really felt that void. “How do you know he doesn’t? The most important question of all, does Joanna know about him?” The last thing she needed was to cause an issue between them. “Just keep me updated, yeah? And if there’s anything I can do, please, just ask.”