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“Franklin Stewart.” We shake hands.
“Good to meet you.”
“Where is he?” a woman from inside the room says.
I peek around the corner.
“Whoa!” The woman in bed falls back into the pillows shoved up behind her. “Mae wasn’t lying about him.”
Annie’s cheeks are red, but she still has a sullen expression.
“So you don’t mind if I stay and observe?” I smile, and her eyes gloss over. Then I spot the man holding her hand, his jaw clenched, and his eyes squeezed shut.
Annie’s sister falls back on the pillows. “Oh good, not so bad.”
The guy opens his hand and squeezes it shut. “Yeah, not bad.”
“I’m Enzo,” I say since Annie has taken on the role of pissed-off teenager in the corner.
“Beth. This is my husband, Sam.” She motions to the man at the side of the bed. “We’re fine with you sitting in but stay up near my head at all times.” She looks over at Annie, a tentative smile on her lips.
“That’s very agreeable of you. Thank you.”
“I’d do anything for my little sis.”
Before I can respond, Joyce pushes me away from the side of the bed and sits in the chair there. “Oh, sweetie, you look wonderful, but do you want me to put some makeup on you for the pictures afterward?”
“Yeah, you never know who might see you. Better look drop-dead gorgeous after you’ve squeezed a walnut out of a peanut shell.” Annie picks at her fingernails, not looking up.
Beth shoots Annie another sympathetic look. “No, Mom, I’m good.” She grips the woman’s hand. “Thank you for coming.”
My gaze remains on Annie. She rolls her eyes. Her dad goes to her side, touches her knee, and whispers something.
“Oh, God.” Beth shoots up in bed and Sam grabs her hand, but she also still has her mom’s hand. Her eyes squeeze shut.
“Beth, you’re breaking my bones,” Joyce whines, but Beth doesn’t let go and a small smile creases Annie’s lips.
Beth falls back on the bed. “They’re getting more intense.”
A nurse comes in to check on Beth. Joyce takes the opportunity to stand and shake out her hand, then she takes a seat on the opposite side of the room.
The nurse looks at the screen of a piece of medical equipment. “You’re getting closer. I’m going to have the doctor come in and see where you’re at.”
As the nurse leaves, Annie takes Joyce’s spot in the bedside chair. “You’re doing great.” Annie wipes away the hairs stuck to her sister’s forehead.
“Never do this,” Beth says to her sister. “This is torture.”
“Okay.” Annie laughs and looks at Sam. “Looks like you’re a family of three.”
Sam rolls his eyes.
“You think I’m being dramatic, Sam Reynolds? Do you want to change places with me?”
The room is silent.
“Of course not,” Sam finally says.
“One kid is more than enough because you’ve never gone—OOOHHHH!” She grips Sam’s and Annie’s hands.
