Still, I prepared for the possibility that today might be different.
“It’s still hard to believe she’s gone,” she said quietly. “She was my patient for three years.”
I exhaled slowly, taking in just how far she’d come. And I couldn’t have been prouder.
“Are you okay?” I asked softly.
She nodded, a faint smile on her lips. “I just have to keep reminding myself she’s not in pain anymore.”
Our eyes met, and in that still moment, something shifted not just in her, but in us. We’d come a long way. She was learning to trust again, to let someone in—and I knew now she was letting me in. I understood how much that meant. And more than anything, I wanted her to feel it. To know that every step she took, no matter how small, was never unnoticed.
I knew this wasn’t easy for her, and that made it matter even more.
“If you ever need anything, you’ll tell me, right?”
She gave a slight nod. “I’m really okay now. But I will. If I need you, I’ll ask.”
I smiled, feeling that pull in my chest. I loved her even more in that moment.
It hadn’t been easy giving her space, but I understood she needed it. Still, I missed how we used to be before everything fell apart. I was ready to try again. Just the two of us, figuring out who we were now. All I could do was hope she felt the same.
And I missed her so much.
So, I decided to ask her.
“How about we go out tonight?” I said. “After everything today, I think we could use a little fun. I know we’re not off tomorrow, but there’s a new street fair nearby. I heard some of the nurses talking about it—lots of food stalls and good stuff. Thought you might want to check it out. With me.”
She looked at me, thoughtful. My heart pounded as I waited for her response.
Then she said, “Okay.” A smile tugged at her lips. “Let’s go there.”
A wide smile broke across my face. “Okay, meet you in the lobby?”
She nodded. “Yes.” Then she turned to leave. “I’ve got to go now. Take a break, Cam, and please, eat that sandwich.”
I watched her until she disappeared down the hallway, then let out a breath.
But the smile never left my face. I couldn’t have stopped it even if I tried.
And it stayed with me the rest of the day.
Ispotted a familiar figure in the distance, and a wave of nausea punched through me.
What the hell was she doing here? Was she sick—or was she here for me again?
I scanned the crowded hospital lobby, trying to make sense of it. Out of all the hospitals in the city, she chose this one?
This couldn’t be happening. Sloane would be down any minute, and we were finally going to dinner—our first real date in a long time.
I couldn’t let her mess it up.
The lobby was packed, and I could only hope she hadn’t seen me.
But she had.
Fuck.
I stood frozen, stomach tightening as she made her way toward me.
