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HOPE
Ilook down at the bag holding a coffee flask, made with a special blend that William prepares, and a few cupcakes with extra frosting I set aside last night for Zach. I swallow down the lump of embarrassment. My gift seems so inadequate in comparison to what Zach has done for me.
As my cold hands grab the doorknob, I hear loud laughter coming from Mom’s room. My feet halt at the doorstep as my forehead puckers at the sight of three nurses surrounding Zach, who is seated in a chair close to Mom’s bed. They are all watching a dating reality show on the TV. Girls in tiny bikinis and hot guys in board shorts are playing beach volleyball, and the audience in this room is cheering loudly.
“Mom?” I walk further into the room and place the bag on her side table.
“Hey, sweetheart. How are you?” She smiles and a huge grin takes over her whole face.
My chest tightens in a mix of…relief and confusion. While I was driving to the hospital, I was so nervous and unsure as to how I would find her today. In pain, growling about going back home, missing her bed. But…she almost looks happy.
“I should be asking you that,” I answer as I flop down beside her after fluffing her blanket. “How areyoudoing?”
“Good.” Though she doesn’t have to say it. I can see she’s much better than last night.
“Bonnie, now that you have seen your daughter, I’m taking you for the tests.”
Two nurses whisk Mom away while Nurse Colleen tidies Mom’s bed. “Your mom slept well throughout the night,” she says. “You’re a very lucky girl. You’ve got yourself a good one there. He took very good care of her.” She motions toward Zach who is busy typing something on his phone. But hearing Nurse Colleen, he looks up and smiles, making my heart gallop like a horse on a racetrack.
Maybe while I’m at the hospital, I should get a checkup done. I’m sure there’s something wrong with my chest, heart, and stomach.
“I don’t know how you keep your hands off him.” Nurse Colleen smirks and whispers in my ear before collecting the sheets and leaving the room.
I walk into the kitchenette and grab a coffee mug from the counter. After transferring the coffee from the metal flask, I hand it to Zach.
When I flip open the cupcake box on the table, he raises an eyebrow at me. “Now who is the lucky one?”
He pushes the entire cupcake in his mouth, eating like a kid. This time I’m not even surprised. Zach is the epitome of bizarre.
“Why are you encouraging this charade? Soon the nurses will spill something in front of Mom. What will happen then?” I press my lips together before taking a seat on the couch next to him and rub my fingers over my forehead. I should have corrected the nurses the first day.
Completely unfazed by my worries, Zach replies, “Gigi is much cooler than you. She’ll just play along.”
I don’t fight him, even though I don’t agree with him. Instead, I tell him something I’ve wanted to say since yesterday.
“Zach, I...” My mouth dries as I struggle to find the right words. “I don’t know what I’d have done without you. Thank you…so much for everything. Ray is so happy, and I slept like a log.” My throat constricts, remembering the wonderful night. “There was food when I got home. Thank you for buying me wine. It was really good.” I sob, hiding my face in my hands.
“Hey, Hope. I’ll buy you a whole vineyard, just don’t cry.” When he puts his arms around my shoulders, I lean into his strong arms. I try to ignore the pitter-pattering of my heart and focus on what I want to say to him.
“Thank you for buying all that unnecessary stuff for Ray. He totally does not need any of it, but he was so happy. I will pay you back for everything,” I say between sobs. “Just give me time.”
There’s a knock on the door and the two nurses roll Mom’s bed inside the room. I get up from the couch and wipe my tears.
“Bonnie asked us to knock. She didn’t want us to find you doing something naughty. I don’t blame you.” The elderly nurse grins at me, and even after knowing this is all insane, I can’t help the heat rising up my face.
“How do I keep my hands off her?” Zach puts his arm over my shoulders, pulling me close to him. “But I need to go, sweetheart, I have to boss some people around.” My pulse skyrockets when he places a kiss on my cheek so close to my ear. I not only feel but even hear his lips touching my flaming skin.
I remain glued to my place when Zach leans forward and kisses Mom’s forehead. “Gigi, be a good girl.” He looks over his shoulder after opening the door and then winks at me. “Don’t miss me too much, Hopper.”
Holy hell! What have I gotten myself into?
The nurses giggle while I have a hard time recovering from the shock. Finally, everyone leaves, and Mom and I are alone in the room.
“Did he tell you about all...this?” I ask, waving my hand around.
Her eyes gleam with mischief as she looks up. “He doesn’t have to. When the nurses started talking about my hot son-in-law, I knew what was going on. I just joined in the game. It’s super fun, to be honest.”
I smile when she grins at me. At least this nonsense made her happy. “How are you feeling?”
