He doesn’t interrupt, doesn’t try to fix it. He just lets me get it out.
“I left as soon as I could. My mom’s still with him, but I couldn’t—” My voice cracks. “I couldn’t stay and watch her fade like that.”
His hand slides down my spine, steady and grounding. “Wren,” he says softly, and it makes my eyes sting. “I hate that you went through that. I hate that any man thought he had the right.” His jaw works again, harder this time. “If I ever met him?—”
I press my palm against his chest, stopping him. “Don’t. He’s not worth it.”
His hand covers mine, holding it against his chest. I can feel the strong beat of his heart beneath my fingers. “You’re worth it,” he says.
Something inside me cracks open at those words, because no one has ever said them to me. Not like this. Not like it’s the most obvious truth in the world.
My eyes blur with tears, and I lean in and kiss him before I can lose my courage.
The kiss is soft at first, our mouths just brushing, tasting. Then it deepens, his hand sliding up to cradle the back of my neck. I melt into him, into the warmth and certainty of his body.
When we part, I tuck myself against his chest, and he wraps his arm around me, as if holding me is as natural as breathing. I feel like I can exhale.
The world is hushed except for the roar of the falls and the sound of us breathing together. My body hums with a mix of exhaustion and contentment.
That’s when my phone buzzes against the blanket. I groan and reach for it.
The name flashing on the screen makes me smile. “Simon,” I say, more to myself than to Beau.
Beau arches a brow, curious, but doesn’t say anything as I swipe to answer.
“Hey, Dr. Hale.”
“Wren.” His voice is rich, warm, and the low timbre sends a ripple through me. “You sound… happy.”
I glance at Beau, who’s grinning at me like he knows exactly why my cheeks are warm. “I am,” I admit. “I’m sitting by a waterfall with Beau.”
There’s the tiniest pause on the other end, then Simon clears his throat. “That sounds… nice.”
“It is.”
His voice softens, now more professional. “Listen, your bloodwork came back. Could you come in today so we can go over it?”
The calm tone of a doctor, but I know him well enough now to hear the undercurrent beneath it.
“Of course,” I say, glancing at Beau. “What time?”
“Whenever you’re able. I’ll be at the hospital until late.”
“All right. I’ll come by.”
We exchange goodbyes, and when I hang up, Beau is watching me with quiet amusement.
“Simon wants to see me,” I explain. “To talk about my bloodwork.”
He nods and reaches for my empty sandwich wrapper, tucking it into the basket. “Then we’d better get you back.”
I search his face, waiting for a flicker of annoyance or jealousy, but there’s nothing like that. Just calm acceptance. Maybe even something softer I can’t quite name.
“You don’t mind?” I ask carefully.
Beau smiles, brushing my hair back from my face. “Not one bit, baby. You deserve answers.”
The simple sincerity of it nearly undoes me.
