If I'd thought about it, I certainly wouldn't've expected him to hug me in return. Not at all. I would've expected him to be tense, annoyed, stiff.

I didn't think about it.

And his free hand is on my lower back. It's not just me hugging him for the brief seconds we're in proximity. He's hugging me, too.

"I will," I promise, my voice low and serious. "Take care of yourself."