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Nick pats my leg, but it does little to ease the rising knot in my stomach.
“The cat’s out of the bag now, Brian. If the girls find out we’ve been keeping this from them, they’re gonna be pissed.”
A wave of nausea crashes through me at the thought of Amanda discovering the truth. I take a deep breath and meet Nick’s gaze head-on.
“I don’t want people to treat me like a goddamn invalid.”
“We won’t.”
“Please, Nick, give me a few days until I’m home?”
My friend holds my gaze for what feels like forever before finally nodding in agreement.
“I’ll try, but I can’t promise anything.”
The tension eases from my body and I let out a long breath of relief. “Thanks.”
The nurse from earlier walks in with my mother in tow.
“Hello, Mr. Fox.” She grabs the blood pressure meter and Nick rises and offers my mother his stool.
“Your mother raised you well,” she says with a smile. Nick grins and places a hand on my shoulder.
“I’m going to find Cole and talk to him. You rest, my friend.”
As the nurse touches the skin around the dressing, an involuntary yawn escapes my mouth. “Sorry,” I offer with a bashful grin.
“Don’t be. It’s normal. Rest. If you want anything else, press the call button.”
As she’s out of the room, my mom’s warm hand wraps around mine. A tear glistens in her eye, and my throat tightens at the sight.
“Mom,” I whisper before wrapping my good arm around her and placing a tender kiss on the side of her head. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
She cups my face in her palms and holds my gaze, determination gleaming in hers. “I love you so much, sweetheart. Now close your eyes and I will stay here with you and read a book while you take a nap.”
Warmth blossoms in my chest at her words. “Love you, Mom,” I say before closing my heavy eyelids. As I drift off to sleep, I can’t help but think about Amanda and wonder.What will she think when she hears about this?
8
AMANDA
With curiosity running through my veins, Bella and I enter Nick and Emma’s place after Alisha asked us to come over ASAP through a text in our group’s app. The mouth-watering smell of Emma’s fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies lures us straight to the kitchen of her bakery, Simply Irresistible. My brother helped the love of his life to realize her dream by building this large professional kitchen with extra storage space. And with great success. Next to baking custom cakes for birthdays and other occasions, she now bakes and delivers her baked goods to two diners in the area. I grin as Alisha sinks her teeth into a delicious-looking chunk of cake, letting out a delightful moan.
“Oh, I’m taking you home, Emma, so you can satisfy my craving for sweets,” she exclaims with her mouth full.
Emma holds up a round tin. “No need. I’ve made a bunch of your favorite cookies for you to take home.”
Alisha strolls over to Emma and kisses her on her cheek. “I love you.”
Emma chuckles. “I’m only protecting Cole from the hormonal outburst you’ll have when you can’t satisfy your three a.m. cravings.”
“Hey, you two,” Bella calls out, eyes moving over the array of treats on the countertop. “What’s going on? Why the ASAP text?”
Alisha and Emma exchange a furtive glance, and my curiosity piques.
“What is it?” I probe them.
Emma bites her lip, and when she gives Alisha a nod, our red-loving friend speaks.
