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“The doctors said you have a concussion. You’re staying overnight, so you need to rest. We can talk about it in the morning when you’re feeling better.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I’m so glad you’re safe. You scared me to death.”

“My heart broke when she said you were replacing me,” she whispered. “I couldn’t stay.”

“Shh, I understand. I’m going to call Marci to let her know you’re awake and okay. She’s staying in your apartment so she can open things up in the morning while you’re away.”

“Tomorrow is the 23rd. We have the hospital event!”

“Joy, relax. We’ll figure it all out. You’re okay, and that’s all that matters tonight.”

“You said you love me, right?” Joy couldn’t help but wonder if the head injury was making her hallucinate.

Kian’s chuckle was soft in the quiet room. “I did say that, and I do, but we can talk about that tomorrow, too. For tonight, just close your eyes and rest. I promise that tomorrow, everything will be better.”

Joy couldn’t be sure it was true, but the sincerity in his eyes as he gazed into hers said more than his words. She saw all his fear, frustration, longing, and love in those chocolate eyes. Would tomorrow be better? Could she trust Kian Van Adler to keep his promises? His face faded from view as her eyes closed.

“That’s it, sweetheart. Just sleep,” he whispered, repeatedly stroking her hair back from her face. “This was a misunderstanding I should have cleared up long ago.” Kian kept whispering, as if he thought she were asleep. Clinging to his voice, she listened for him to tell her more, to tell her what she should have known long ago.

Instead, he fell silent, his hand still stroking her hair. The steady comfort finally lulled her into dreamland, and she wondered if she’d said she loved him too.

39

#Waitahohohobilliondollars!

Sunlight streamed through the apartment window, making Joy squint as she stood by the counter. She was so happy to be home that she refused to acknowledge the lingering headache. Her head only occasionally pounded hard against her temples now, and aside from a bruised ego, she’d had no lasting effects from last night. At least not physical ones. Emotional ones remained to be seen. All she knew was that she had to set it all aside if she had any hope of finishing the holiday season strong. Tonight was Santa’s visit to the children’s ward, and tomorrow was Santa’s goodbye at the mall, followed by his hello at the end of a pathway of light.

Santa.

Last night, he’d told her he loved her. Kian Van Adler had quite literally said, several times, “I love you.” What was she supposed to do with that?

Say it back? Came that voice that always stuck its nose in where it didn’t belong. You know you do.

Okay, but that was beside the point. What about Sabrina?

When Kian left the hospital earlier this morning, long before the sun was up, he’d whispered that he was going to deal with things and that when he returned, he’d finally be able to explain everything. It didn’t make sense, but what did make sense was the way he whispered that he loved her and the tenderness with which he kissed her lips. Those were the two things that told her Sabrina may be irrelevant in this situation, just as he’d said.

Marci had brought her home when Joy called to say she was being released because Joy couldn’t reach Kian. According to Marci, he was ‘dealing with Sabrina’s crap.’

“It’s Marci,” she said from the other side of the door.

“I didn’t lock it,” she answered, waiting for the door to open. Marci walked in with a to-go cup and a box of CinnaPOP Poppers. “Marcus wants you to know he made these special because we aren’t open for another hour.”

“I’ll send him a special thank-you,” she promised as Marci set the items down on the island.

“Joy,” she whispered, hugging her tightly. “You scared the crap out of me last night!”

“I’m sorry.” Her apology was muffled against Marci’s shoulder. “Faced with his lies, I had to get away.”

“The only person who was lying was Sabrina,” Marci said, ending the hug and helping Joy to the couch before she went back for her breakfast. “He’s not engaged to her.”

“Kian told me he loves me,” Joy whispered, choosing not to address her earlier comment about Sabrina. They still had no proof, so for all she knew, this was an elaborate game by Kian Van Adler. His words of love echoed in her head again, and she knew she didn’t believe that.

“He’s told everyone, including Sabrina, that he loves you, in front of several witnesses. You could have knocked me over with a feather!”

“I didn’t have my phone, or I would have texted you immediately!” Joy said, laughing gently so she wouldn’t hurt her head.

“Trust me when I say there was no question in my mind that he loves you. You know I don’t buy into that kind of lovey-dovey crap easily, so if I did, the sentiment was genuine.”

“Don’t I know it,” Joy said, laughing at Marci’s well-known skepticism about love. Worse than Joy’s, if that was possible. Joy suspected someone had hurt Marci in the past, but so far, she hadn’t convinced Marci to open up about it. “What happened after that?”