AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She swallowed. “I didn’t want to hurt you. I thought we’d end before you figured it out. You were supposed to get tired of me, like you did all the others since your divorce.”
I frowned. “But you aren’t like anyone else, so your plan was flawed from the start.”
Tears welled in Nora’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“I shouldn’t have gotten involved. Then it would’ve been easier when…” She looked away.
I swallowed. “Nora?”
Her eyes came back to mine. I cupped her cheeks in my hands to make sure she heard me loud and clear. “I would rather fall for you and get hurt than to never have gotten involved.”
The tears she’d been fighting streamed down her face. I wiped them with my thumbs and moved closer, so we were almost nose to nose.
“And just so we’re clear,” I said, “I have fallen for you.”
More tears rolled down her cheeks, but rather than waste time clearing them, I worked on changing her mood. I pressed my lips to hers until I felt the tension leave her body.
When I pulled back, she smiled. “You said I was out for three days, which means I haven’t brushed my teeth in that long.”
“I give zero fucks, sweetheart. Don’t brush your teeth. Don’t shave. Don’t shower. I’m still going to want you.” I took her hand, sliding it off the bed and guiding it to cup my growing hard-on. Nora’s eyes widened. But that sparkle she always had was back. “No fucks, baby.”
“Your grandmother could walk in any second.”
“My grandmother won’t be back for a while. She didn’t have to use the bathroom. I know her. She’s giving us time alone.” I wiggled my brows. “I could climb under those covers with you for a quickie.”
“Don’t you dare,” she said, smiling.
Father Kelly had said maybe my purpose was to provide Nora comfort, but I knew in that moment that it wasn’t. My job was to make her face look like it did right now until the end, no matter when that time came.
Unfortunately, we were interrupted by a nurse who wanted to take her vitals. Then Gram came back, and a few minutes later, the cardiologist joined us.
“Welcome back.” He smiled and extended a hand to Nora. “I’m Dr. Wallace. I’ve been visiting you a few times a day, but you weren’t a very good host. Didn’t say much.”
Nora smiled. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Wallace.”
He did a quick exam and typed into his iPad. “Your vitals are strong. Looking at the numbers, I wouldn’t guess you were someone who suffered a massive heart attack just a few days ago. Then again, most people with that type of cardiac incident have thirty years on you.”
Nora sat up in bed. “When can I leave?”
“Boy. I just met you, and you already can’t wait to get away.” He smiled. “I’d like to keep you for observation at least for another day or two. We’ll get you up and walking in the next twelve hours, if you’re ready, and then see how fast your strength comes back. While we assess, we can talk about your treatment options.”
“Oh…” Nora shook her head. “I don’t want any treatment.”
Dr. Wallace nodded. “Ms. Aster gave us your advanced directive when you came in, and I spoke to your doctors in New York to get a better sense of your history. But you should know that your heart attack and being hospitalized moves up your status on the transplant list.”
“She’s a candidate for a transplant?” I said.
The doctor looked between Nora and me. “I’m sorry. This is a conversation we should have in private. I only meant to suggest that we should discuss things when you’re feeling up to it.”
Nora forced a smile. “I am feeling kind of tired.”
My gut said she was full of shit and just wanted to end this conversation, but it worked.
Dr. Wallace nodded again. “Of course. I’m going to put in an order for an echocardiogram and an EKG, as well as some new bloodwork. It’ll give us a better idea where we are anyway. I’ll stop back in the morning to see if you’re up for talking.”
After a murmur of thank yous and goodbyes around the room, it was just the three of us again. The silence grew loud. I couldn’t take it.
