“Juni.” Sophia’s tone carried warning. “Maybe you should give him some space to figure things out. There’s a lot happening right now.”

“If I need him, why can’t he be there?” Juniper’s voice went thin, young… her hand found the wall like she needed the marble to stay vertical. “Why is it always one step forward, three steps back?”

“This… isn’t my business.” Sophia’s voice dropped lower, her head turning slightly away as she gave those tiny shakes that always preceded hard truths. “You’re both my friends. But you have to let him take care of himself. If his cup is empty…”

“Oh my God.” Juniper’s internal eye roll was almost audible. “What a preposterous…”

“He can’t even do the basic things I ask for?” The words burst out of Juniper like pressurized steam. “He thinks I’m going to dust him off for nothing? He’s got another thing coming.”