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She bit her lip and nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”

I squeezed her hand. She squeezed it back.

“I’ll go get Lieutenant Dan from Joy and watch him until you get home,” she said.

“Thanks.”

“And I’ll take care of your plants.”

I let out a long “Nooooooo,” and she laughed.

My eyes felt heavy. I closed them for a second and then opened them again.

“How is Benny?” I asked.

“The surgery went well. No complications. His new kidney’s already producing urine.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Really? So fast?”

She shrugged. “It’s a perfect match.”

“Someone told me once that even a perfect match isn’t perfect.”

She held my eyes. “This one is.”

We gazed at each other for a long moment. Then she got up and put her forehead to mine and closed her eyes. I closed mine too. I was still a little loopy and the darkness behind my lids made everything feel like a dream.

“Did you read it?” I whispered.

She nodded. “Yes. I did.”

“I like Ava for a girl,” I said, opening my eyes to look at her.

“Ava Xfinity?”

“Ava Xfinity Ortiz.”

She laughed, then sat back down. I raised my hand to touch her face. She turned in to it and kissed my palm, and I knew my nightmare was over. She’d returned to me.

“I’m so sorry, Jacob,” she whispered. “I was really scared.”

“I know.” I rubbed a thumb on her cheek. “I know you were. But you know how social situations are hard for me? And you help me with that?” I said softly.

She sniffed and nodded.

“I know trust is hard for you. So that’s what I’m going to help you with.”

Then I just lay there, looking at her. Feeling the peace and calm that I only felt alone—with her.

“What?” she asked.

“I’m afraid I’m just drugged and none of this is really happening.”

“It’s really happening, Jacob.”

I closed my eyes. “How do I know?”

“Because love shows up. And here I am.”