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The tease in her tone loosened a fraction of the tension in my chest.
I kissed her temple. She had no clue how her words of love had affected me. And hearing how she loved me, and then that my father was proud of me, had softened something deep within my soul. I never, ever told Alma that I loved her because I never had.
But JoJo?
She’d stolen my heart but given it back more complete. And for a moment, I’d wanted to toss her aside to avoid future pain.
I couldn’t push her away anymore.
“I love you,” I murmured.
She stilled. “You do?”
“I’ll try not to be offended that you can’t tell,” I said dryly.
“I just—sometimes I wonder how we got here.”
I tapped her temple. “That’s your problem. Don’t worry yourself with the why. Live in the moment.”
“That’s hard.”
I appreciated her candor, that she didn’t shy away from reality.
I furrowed my brow.
JoJo was honest to a fault.
She’d always expressed how she felt about me. She’d been open, even when we were arguing.
She wouldn’t lie without good reason.
The realization helped soften the blow of the secret she’d kept for so long.
“I love you.”
I’d never get tired of hearing those words from her.
Frank Varko rapped on the open door.
I stood and kissed the top of JoJo’s head. “If you need me, I’ll be down the hall. Nurse Ana knows the room.”
“I guess I’m not invited,” she replied with no bitterness in her tone.
“I’ll tell you what I can.”
She gave me a little shove. “Go.”
Varko wordlessly followed me to the small conference room. Before long, I’d be taking over the whole floor. Although, technically it was ours. I didn’t think there were any other patients on this level. How could there be when the medical staff gave all their attention to Penelope?
Varko dropped into a chair. “How’s she doing?”
I hesitated as I took the seat across from him. “She’s alive.” What more was there to say?
“I can’t confirm the whereabouts of the two guys.” He folded his arms on the table. “I’ve gone where the trail leads, but I don’t like it. I don’t like having to access camera footage by alternative means either.”
“Naomi’s family never gave it to you?”
“Nope. So she stays on the suspect list. Penelope confirmed her whereabouts the hour before they were supposed to meet for dinner, but the problem is, the time of death wastwohours before dinner.”
