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She’d been so nervous out there on the mountainside, but she’d been more intent on helping, on playing a part, and the high from helping the child was unlike any other she’d ever experienced. She wanted to take this plunge. Go on this new life adventure with him. It meant making big changes, possibly disappointing people she cared about in the process, but this was her life to live and she knew what she wanted. She’d regret it if she didn’t at least try.

She swallowed hard as she set the curler down and applied a thin coat of pale gloss to her lips. No sense taking the time to put on real lipstick. Mitch would kiss it off within minutes anyway.

She hoped the restaurant had a nice, romantic, secluded booth where they could get wrapped up in each other. She smiled at her reflection, feeling happier and lighter than she had in weeks. Her decision had been made, and she was excited to tell Mitch.

There were also those three little words she wanted to say.

She was in love with him. There was no denying it. The emotions she felt for him were unlike any she’d ever had for anyone. Mitch made her happy, they connected physically and emotionally. Her heart raced when she was near him, but there was also a sense of peace and calm, as though she could rest easy in his arms, knowing he’d never hurt her.

It was fast the way these feelings had come on, but she knew they were real. And she suspected he was feeling the same. Either way, she wanted him to know where she stood.

Her cell phone ringing in the pocket of her dress made her jump. Still smiling, she retrieved it and answered the unknown number on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Jessica Connolly?” an unfamiliar voice spoke clear and sharp.

“Yes, speaking.”

“There’s been an accident.”

The cell phone nearly slipped from her hand. Aunt Frankie? Her parents?

“Your friend Whitney Carlisle is here in the hospital,” the woman continued. “You are listed as her emergency contact.”

Still? She had been for years, since Whitney’s mother had gotten ill, but Jess had assumed Whitney would have changed it to Trent by now.

“Hello?” the woman said.

“I’m here,” she croaked.

“We need you here right away.”

Her knees nearly collapsed beneath her as she nodded. “I understand.”

“Ms. Connolly?”

“Yes?”

“Your friend is in bad condition,” she said more gently, which made everything a million times worse. “Can you get here soon?”

Jessica’s heart pounded in her ears and her mouth was bone dry. Three hours away. “I’m out of town, but I’ll be there as soon as I can,” she managed to say.

After providing the nurse Trent and Sarah’s numbers, she disconnected the call and tears of fear gathered in her eyes. She opened the bathroom door to Mitch.

His happy expression faded fast, seeing her expression. “What’s wrong?”

Her body trembled as she stepped quickly out of the bathroom and reached for her bag to pack. “We have to go. Whitney’s been in an accident.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

December 22nd…3 Days Until Christmas…

Her mother always said daylight made things better.

But as Whitney opened her eyes and a look of confusion mixed with fear registered on her friend’s bruised, bandaged face, Jessica couldn’t agree. The hospital room’s bright lights and the beeping of a monitor had made her nauseous all night, sitting in the hospital chair near the bed, while her friend was in an induced coma. In her hand was an IV and she had a cast on her right leg, another one on her left wrist. Her breathing sounded labored all night and Jessica had teared up more than once as she’d stayed awake by her side.

“Hi… Look who’s finally awake,” she said gently. Quietly.

Sarah stirred in the chair on the opposite side of the bed, where her exhaustion had finally taken over about an hour ago. Raccoon-eyed from smudged mascara, she sat up seeing Whitney awake.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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