All men are annoying.

“Hi Anna,” Casper said. His voice sounded somehow different, making Anna wonder what he was up to. 

"What do you want?" She couldn't hide the tiredness in her voice.

"I saw the news about your dad. I'm... I'm really sorry."

Anna stopped walking. In all the years she'd known Casper, he'd never sounded this gentle. "Thanks," she said quietly.

"How's your mom holding up?"

“She's currently in a coma.” 

“Oh, Sorry 'bout that.” Silence stretched between them. Anna could hear him breathing on the other end before he spoke again. 

"Look, I know we didn't end things well, but if there's anything I can do to help, let me know."

Anna's grip tightened on the phone. Was he for real? 

“It's complicated, I don't know how to explain.”

“Can we meet if you have time?” He asked. 

“Yes.”

“You name the place and time.”

“How does 7am tomorrow sound? We can meet at Tatte cafe.”

“Cool. See ya.”

By the time Anna got back to the hospital, Jess was already seated in the visitor's lounge, scrolling through her phone. The moment their eyes met, Anna felt her emotional walls crumble. 

"Oh, honey." Jess jumped up and wrapped Anna in her arms before the first sob could escape.

"I drove all night from LA," Jess whispered into Anna's hair. "Got in the car as soon as I saw the news.” 

Anna couldn't hold it in any longer. All the tears she'd been holding back since yesterday came flooding out.

“He told me I'm a disappointment.” She choked out between sobs. "Yesterday morning, he kicked me out of the house because I chose art over law. And now he's..." She couldn't continue. 

""Shh. It's okay." Jess guided her to a chair, still holding her tight.

"What about your mom? Any updates?"

Anna wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “She's in a coma, she sustained severe injury to her head.”

“Don't worry, she'll make it. You've spoken with her doctor, right?”

Anna nodded. “She'll probably be here for a long time.” She shook her head. “I get scared when I think of how long it might take and how much it would cost.”

“What about her insurance?” Jess asked. 

“It only covers the basic treatment.”

Jess frowned. "Can't you access your dad's accounts? You're his daughter."

“No.” She said simply, too tired to explain. 

“So how do you intend to pay for her treatment?”

“I honestly don't know. I'm just hoping she gets better soon.” Anna rubbed her temples. "Oh, but Casper called. He wants to help. We'll meet tomorrow morning, I'll ask him to lend me some money.” "

"Casper? Your ex?" Jess's eyebrows shot up. "The same guy who…"

"Yeah, I know. I was shocked too."

"Maybe he's finally growing up. Or maybe he feels guilty about how things ended."

"Maybe it's guilt." Anna didn't sound convinced.

Jess checked her watch. "It's getting late. Want me to drive you home? You need sleep."

"No, I can't leave Mom. But could you pick up Louise? I've gotten permission from her house dean, and I..." Anna's voice cracked again. "She's only fifteen, Jess. How do I tell a fifteen-year-old that her dad is dead and her mom might not wake up?"

Jess squeezed Anna's hand. “It's going to be fine.”

“I don't know what else to do if Casper refuses to help.” She said softly. 

“Don't give up.” Jessica said. “We can raise a donation campaign, create a GoFundMe account, anything. We'll find a way.”

“I'm really tired.”

“Oh, wait!” Jessica smiled suddenly. “What of Stefan? You're friends. You can ask him for help.”

“That's right, I didn't even think of it.”

“It's normal that you can't think straight right now. But that's why you have me.” Jessica said and grabbed her car keys. "I'm going to get Louise. You call Stefan."

After Jess left, Anna stared at her phone for a long moment before typing:

Hi Stefan, How are you doing? 

Please, I need your help. My mom is currently in the ICU and needs surgery. Can you lend me some money? I'll pay back as soon as I can.

He called back within minutes.

"Anna, I heard about your dad. I'm so sorry." Stefan's voice was filled with warmth and concern. "How much do you need?"

When Anna told him, the line went quiet.

"That's... that's more than I have, Anna. I wish I could help, but..."

"It's okay," Anna said quickly, even though it wasn't. "Thanks anyway."

Casper was the only hope she had now. She prayed he wouldn't disappoint. 

* * *

Anna arrived at the cafe twenty minutes early, partly from nerves and partly because she couldn't sleep anyway. She ordered coffee she barely took a sip from, and watched the door.

Casper strolled in at 7:45, wearing that familiar cocky smile that used to make her heart race. Now it just made her tired.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, sliding into the seat across from her. 

“Your mom, how bad is it?”

“She had multiple fractures on her left arm and leg. The extent of brain injury has not been determined, but she's scheduled for surgery this evening.”

“Oh! So how can I help?”

Anna was a bit hesitant. “The thing is… I haven't been able to access my dad's account yet, and the cost of Mom's surgery is on the high side. Soo… I was wondering if you could lend me some money.”

“Like, how much do you need?”

“About two hundred thousand.”

“Two hundred grand?” He laughed as if she just cracked a joke, making Anna feel embarrassed. “Anna, that's not exactly pocket change. You have so much confidence in me, considering I'm your ex.”

Heat flooded Anna's cheeks. "You said you wanted to help."

"I was thinking more like... offering you rides. Or helping with funeral arrangements. But two hundred thousand is a big ask.”

Anna bit her lip, feeling the weight of her request. "I know it sounds crazy, but I really need it for her treatment." His eyes gleamed. "But now that you mention it, I might be able to get you the money."

Anna's heart jumped. "Really?"

"Sure. But I'd need something in return." His gaze dropped to her chest, then back to her face. "I'll give it to you if you can spend one night with me."

Anna stood and released her purse strap from the chair. "You're disgusting." She kicked him just below the knee and left, fuming with rage.

He caught up with her at the door, his face was red from anger. "Why are you acting like a saint with me when you behave like a slut with other men?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't pretend; I saw you with him." He said and stormed away.

Casper's last statement baffled Anna. What was he talking about? She was still trying to make sense of his words when she crashed straight into someone coming through the cafe door.

"Oh!" The impact sent her purse flying, and everything inside scattered across the sidewalk. 

The person she'd bumped into—a tall man wearing a dark jacket—just stood there watching as she dropped to her knees, frantically gathering her things.

"My mom's medical card," Anna muttered, crawling around on the concrete. "Where is it?" She looked under a nearby bench, checked behind a trash can, and even shook out her empty purse. Nothing.

"Seriously?" she snapped, whirling around to face the man who was still standing there like a statue. "You couldn't even attempt to help me find it when it's partly your fault?"

The stranger tilted his head, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Are you always this short-tempered?"

Anna stared at him, her anger mixing with disbelief. "Why are men so annoying?"

He handed the medical card to her. "I'm Lewis Cole and…” 

She snatched the card from him and left him mid-sentence.