“It does,” I tell her. “It’s the biggest deal. It’s everything.” I hug her close, kissing the top of her head. “I’m staying here tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll make a decision about Aaron. We’ll figure out the next step. But for now, we both need some rest.”
She sighs with relief and leans against my chest. “That sounds perfect.”
I stroke my hand through her hair. In the bathroom, I catch sight of us in the mirror above the sink. She looks small in my arms, fragile, even if I know she’s anything but.
CHAPTER 23
IZZY
Ihaven’t slept this soundly in a long time. I sink into Dom’s embrace, warm dreams carrying me far away. In the dream, Grandma is healthy again, miraculously, impossibly, strong and steady and full of life as she cradles a baby to her chest. She smiles at me over the baby’s head, winking.I always knew you’d make pretty babies.
I join her, looking down at the child. They’ve got Dom’s intense eyes… and my nose.
I wake to the sound of my cell phone ringing. It’s a heavy metal track, the ringtone I’ve assigned to the hospital so that I always hear it even if I’m asleep. Groggy, I dart my hand out from under the covers and find the phone.
“Yes, hello?”
“Miss Marlowe.” The voice belongs to a kind-sounding woman.
“Yes?”
“Are you available for a meeting with the medical staff today? The sooner the better. As I understand it, a specialist visited thehospital yesterday and has something he’d like to discuss with you concerning your grandmother’s care.”
“Is she okay?” I say, sitting up quickly, the warm dream with Dom utterly shattered.
“Nothing has changed as to her status. But I’m just the receptionist. It would be much more useful if you could come in. The specialist has said she can do it any time.”
“I’m coming right now,” I tell her. “I’m just getting dressed!”
I hang up, heart thudding. After everything, I can’t let anything happen to Grandma. She was the reason behind all of this, my motivation for selling out my principles. For betraying Dom.
“Izzy?” Dom says, gently rubbing my shoulder.
“I need to go to the hospital,” I tell him. “Apparently, the specialist from your insurance wants to talk to me.”
Dom frowns, nodding. There’s something about the look on his face that piques my suspicion.
“What?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Nothing… probably.”
I press my hand against his chest, digging my fingernails into his firm chest. “Don’t lie to me.”
For a split second, he gives me a look, head askew, eyebrows raised, as if he’s saying…Are you serious? Do you think you have that right?But then it vanishes, as if he’s pushing away old instincts.
“Let’s go,” he says. “I’ll drive you.”
“I’m sure you’ve got things to do,” I murmur.
“No, I’m taking you.”
Ten minutes later, we’re both dressed, rushing down to his car. I sit in the passenger seat, running my hands up and down my legs anxiously. I notice that look on Dom’s face again. His jaw is tight, eyes flitting here and there.
“What, Dom?” I huff.
He sighs. “It’s nothing.”
“I still don’t believe you.”
