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“They said he’ll be okay,” Noah reminded me for probably the tenth time that hour, but Ryan was still in the post-op recovery area, and they hadn’t let any of us see him yet.
“Yeah, and the doctors said that hours ago. He’s still not awake yet.” I hated being a pessimist, but my anxiety was maxed out.
“Ryan’s mom will be here soon, right?” Noah deflected.
I checked the last text from Enzo on my phone. “Yeah, they’re almost here.”
“Enzo, huh?” Noah said his name as if he was familiar with him, and then I remembered why. Ryan had asked him to look into Enzo’s background. With everything that had happened since, that felt like an eternity ago.
Walking over to the mirror in the waiting room, I did my best to swipe away the black smudges of makeup beneath my eyes. I didn’t want Ryan’s mother to see such a frazzled version of me. Maybe if I looked like I was keeping my shit together, it would be easier for me to pretend everything wasn’t falling apart. I wondered how many other women had stood in front of this same mirror and thought the same thing.
I’d thought Ryan was fine, only for him to lose consciousness following an “I love you” and a kiss, leaving me here to explain the entire clusterfuck to his mom. A woman who had lost her husband to a heart attack. At least she had Enzo with her. He couldn’t fix anything this time, but . . .
“Enzo insisted on coming. Screw the restaurant. Nothing will matter if Ryan’s not okay.” My words drew Asher’s eyes in the reflection. I guess I said all of that out loud. Jessica was stretched out in the chairs with her head on his lap, and he was smoothing his fingers through her hair as she slept.
“And he will be fine,” Asher said with a firm voice. “The doctor said his head is okay. They contained the ruptured-whatever-it-was that caused the new bleed, and his heart attack was very minor—a rare side effect from the trauma to his chest. Otherwise, his heart is healthy and in good shape.”
“He needs to wake up and stay awake this time.” I untucked my hair that was hidden inside the hood of my Carolina sweatshirt, then tossed my long locks into a messy bun before facing the room, only the four of us in there as the others on the team had left to “commandeer” a room in the hospital to make a special call to “someone.”
Maurizio had left to pick up Laura and Enzo from the airport and bring them to the hospital before going to reserve a few rooms for everyone at a hotel. Not that I planned to leave Ryan’s side.
At the sound of a chime, I turned to see the elevator doors open and my shoulders fell at the sight of familiar faces. Enzo and Laura looked exhausted from their long flight.
“Whoa, wait, you’re friends with Lorenzo Costa?” I turned at Asher’s question, curious how he knew Enzo. He carefully shifted Jessica’s head from his lap to the cushioned seat and stood.
Before I could respond, I was abruptly turned by Enzo, and he pulled me into his arms for a tight hug.
“Where’re my boys?” Laura asked, thumbing away tears.
“I’ll take you to Anthony, but Ryan’s still in recovery. We can’t see him yet, Miss Rossi,” Noah said, and she looked at him, a hint of recognition in her eyes. “We were at BUD/S together,” Noah added, answering the question she hadn’t yet asked.
Laura nodded, then gave me a hug before Noah escorted her to Anthony’s room.
“Asher Hayes?” Enzo started for him. “That really you?”
“As I live and breathe, man,” Asher said, offering him a hand before pulling him in for a quick one-arm hug.
Enzo looked over at me and tipped his head to Asher. “My first job in a kitchen was in his family’s Italian restaurant up in New York. I was just a teenager. We go way back.”
“Mom said you were a chef in Charlotte now.” Asher peered at me. “It’s your restaurant?” he asked, putting two and two together, and I nodded. “Wow. Small world.”
“How’s your sister?” Enzo asked him.
“She’s a single mom now. She’s tough. Doing the best she can,” Asher commented, and his words sent my thoughts drifting back to my sister’s situation.
Enzo faced me. “Any news?”
“Not since my last text to you. Thank you for coming here, for bringing Laura. That wasn’t easy for her, but she adores you, and I’m sure it was helpful you were with her on that flight.”
“Ryan’s awake!” I turned at Anthony’s abrupt announcement, appearing breathless from where he stood in the doorway. “Mom took off for him, but I thought you should see him next.”
My hands covered my mouth as I let go of a cry of relief. He’s awake. He’s going to be okay.
Enzo set his hand on my back. “Come on. I’ll walk you that way.” He saluted Asher, and as we walked away, Asher fished his phone from his pocket, probably to find the rest of his team to provide an update.
“I can’t believe this all happened,” Enzo said as we walked down the too-bright hall. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help him.”
