Page 112 of Enchanted

I took several deep breaths. If that happens, it’s okay. You’ll cross that bridge when you get to it. You won’t be alone.

No, I wouldn’t be. Rami had made it clear that he wouldn’t just be with me for the appointment, but for the forty-eight hours after it. I’d explained that I’d be anxious in case I got a call, so he’d declared that he’d be at my side throughout.

“Are you okay?”

I whipped my head around to see Quill staring at me, his eyes narrowed. “Me? I’m fine.”

“Hmm.” He shoved another biscuit into his mouth, talking around it. “You’re talking to a Master Bullshitter here. I know you’re not fine.”

I gave him a small smile. “Got some blood tests this afternoon and I’m a bit nervous.”

“Scared of needles?”

“Nah.” I laughed. And thank fuck I wasn’t, given how many I’d been pricked with over the past several months. “Just the results.”

“You don’t need to worry,” he said in the same confident manner Rami had. “You’ll be fine.”

“Are you a doctor now, as well as a deckhand?”

He scowled at the TV. “I’m telling you, I could do better than half these fuckers. I mean, who doesn’t even know what a whip is? Or a bowline? It’s not rocket science, people.”

I went back to my editing with a smile. While I didn’t share Rami’s or Quill’s optimism, I wasn’t going to let it stop me living.

I’d keep doing that until the day the Grim Reaper himself decided to pay me a visit.

Rami drove us to the hospital. I was too anxious to talk much, but thankfully he didn’t push, just put on a song by Caffeine Daydreams as we drove through the city.

“I love this one,” I murmured, letting the familiar tune soothe me. “It’s my favourite.”

“I heard you humming it the other day, thought it might relax you.”

I reached out to rest my hand on his knee. Nothing was going to relax me today, but having him here? Knowing I wasn’t alone?

It made the load I was carrying easier to bear.

When we’d parked, Rami clicked his fingers and dashed back to the car. “Shit. Nearly forgot.”

I watched with a frown as he opened his boot. “What are you doing?”

“I got these,” Rami said, pulling out a massive bouquet of flowers and a small gift bag. He jogged back over to me, worrying at his lower lip. “They’re for Lily. That’s who we’re seeing today, right?”

My jaw swung open. “You got my nurse flowers?”

He huffed, rolling his eyes. “You told me she was the one who looked after you during every session. Of course I got her flowers, Ethan. I’d buy her a house if I thought you’d let me get away with it.”

I was so touched that I was speechless. Instead of using my words, I grabbed the back of Rami’s neck and pulled his lips down to meet mine. I tried to convey everything I didn’t know how to say with the kiss. My gratitude for how thoughtful he was. For his considerate nature. For caring.

Rami had a slightly punch-drunk grin on his face when he parted. “Remind me to buy someone flowers every day if that’s how you thank me.”

“Lily might kiss you too,” I warned him as I took a sniff of the daisies and tulips that made up the bouquet. “I don’t think the NHS gives much thanks aside from a salary.”

“Am I okay to take them in?” he asked anxiously. “I remembered you saying they’re very strict about what you can take onto the chemo ward.”

“You remember that?”

“I remember everything you’ve told me.”

My heart. I was in danger of losing it entirely to this wonderful man who stood before me.