Page 114 of Ash Storm

“Ash?” Reka said, feigning ignorance. Chloe didn’t need to worry about her.

“We’ve known each other too long, Reka,” Chloe said, smiling. “I know you’re crazy about him, and that he’s crazy about you, too.”

“How do you know?” Reka asked.

“I saw the way he looked at you. And then I asked Griffin about it. He confirmed.”

“How? When?” Reka asked, confused now.

“Back in the hospital. You were sleeping, and he popped his head into the room to let me know he was outside. I took the chance to ask him about you and Ash. He was reluctant at first, but eventually told me. And then, when we arrived here, you said this was your room, but the room looked completely untouched. Because you hadn’t been sleeping here.” Chloe took her hand in hers and pressed tightly. “You’ve been staying with him, and I’m happy for you, Reka.”

“You’re a regular Sherlock Holmes,” Reka laughed.

“I'm just saying, I’m going to be okay. I’ll take one of the sleeping tablets they gave me at the hospital and sleep the whole night through. It’s okay with me if you go next door to see him.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m not going to leave you.”

The smile died on Chloe’s face. She sighed, looking much older than her years. “You're going to have to leave me at some point, Reka. Aileen, too, has been calling me ten times a day. And I know you’re both worried about me. But I’m not going to move in with you or Aileen because I can’t bear to be alone.”

“That’s not what I meant, Chloe.”

Her friend sighed, exasperated. “I know you’re just trying to help. And I’m grateful. But I would rather we get started now. I don’t want to end up being … dependent on you or anybody else. Is it not true, what Griffin said?”

It was Reka’s turn to sigh. “It’s true. I don’t know how it happened, Chloe, but I’ve fallen in love with Ash. It’s … it’s redefined everything I thought I knew about love. And it’s not just a case of hero worship, I promise. He is braver and stronger than any man I’ve ever met before, but he is also kind and vulnerable. You probably think I’m crazy, or that it’s the trauma speaking …”

“I don’t think that, Reka,” Chloe said. “I think good things can come from the strangest places. Come on, go see him. I’ll be fine here, and I will call you if I need anything.”

“You promise?”

“I promise. I’m just going to read one of the novels Alexia dropped off with me earlier.”

“What kind of novels?” Reka asked quickly. She knew Chloe loved romantic suspense, the darker the better.

“Relax, Mom,” Chloe laughed. “It’s all adventure romance. You know, love and danger in a ski resort, that kind of thing.”

“Okay,” Reka said. She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. You promise you’ll call me if you need anything, no matter what time it is?”

“I will, I promise. Now go.”