Oh, she knew.
“And I hated feeling like that.”
She’d hated that, too.
“I don’t know if I did something that made you hate me, but if I did, I’m sorry.I’m really sorry.And I hope you’ll forgive me.”
She swallowed.How could this man ask for forgiveness when she’d hidden life-changing truths from him?She nodded.
He exhaled, as if in relief.“Thank you.And I… I know it’s a lot to ask, but if it’s at all possible, I’d really like us to be friends again.”
“Friends?”The word felt impossible.How could this man she’d kept at a distance for so long now want to be friends?Her heart flickered.And if he wanted to be friends, did that mean he might one day want more?
No.She couldn’t think like that.Wouldn’tthink like that.That was too impossible.Mrs.Tinker’s heart would likely explode, but this time for real.As for her own mother…
She shook her head.“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“What?Why?”
How to explain?“I wouldn’t even know how to be friends with you again.We weren’t exactly friends at the end, remember?”
“But we were,” he insisted.His cheeks pinked.“I mean, we were a lot more than friends.But I thought you wanted that too.”
She ducked her head.“Yes.”
“And ever since that day I’ve wondered if we hadn’t done, ahem,thatthen maybe we could’ve stayed in touch.But from what I remember, we both agreed to separate so you could focus on your studies and I could concentrate on my NHL career.”
It wasn’t fair to let him take all the blame, despite what she’d let her mom think over the years.Genhadagreed to that too.She peeked up.“That’s right.”
“And now, look at you, Dr.Rivas.”He smiled.“Can I say I’m so proud of you?”
Moisture lined her eyes.She blinked it away.“Thanks.”
“I knew you could do it.You were always so determined, and so smart.”
Her throat was tight.“I couldn’t have done anything without my mom’s help.”
“She’s always been ready to do anything to help you succeed, hasn’t she?”
Oh, he didn’t know the half of it.She nodded.Her throat was dry.“You obviously have done okay with your hockey career.”
His mouth twisted.“Until this injury, anyway.”
“How… how are you feeling?”
He grimaced.“I never knew such a small organ I’ve never thought about before could cause so much trouble.”
Her gaze drifted to the portable IV.“Have you had an infection?”
He sighed.“Yeah.Doc Winthrop is threatening to cut me open again so I’m praying this stuff works.”
She nodded.“You want your kidneys to work properly, so it’s worth taking care of them.”
“I still don’t drink coffee, just so you know.”
He hadn’t changed in that way, then.“That’ll help.And no alcohol, or drugs.”
“I still like to keep clean,” he said.
