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I wake groggy. There are people around, but I can’t make out distinct features. “Thank you,” I offer them, but my throat feels like a desert.
Someone pats my shoulder. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
I try to clear my throat, but I wince. “Is Lily okay?” I finally say.
“She’s still in surgery but doing great so far. You’re both doing great.”
I don’t realize how much weight lifts off me until I sigh, and my chest feels looser. “That’s good. Great.”
“Rest, babe,” the kind voice says. “We got you.”
I drift. When I wake up again, I’m in a darkened space. I can hear beeps, and when I lift my arm, there are still wires and tubes attached. Rubbing my eyes, I attempt to get my bearings. A short woman with glasses appears beside the curtain in front of me. “You’re awake.” I nod. “Great. Would you like to sit up?” Nodding again, I shift, but the pain in my abdomen stops me. I wince. “Take it slow there. It was laparoscopic, but that’s still surgery.”
They monitor me for a while. I get word that Lily is in recovery, and the doctor is optimistic about how her surgery went. I’ll only be in the hospital for a day or so, but Lily will need to stay longer.
They transport me to a room right before dinner. After I’m settled, my nurse gets me some food and pain medicine. “Are you up for visitors?” She asks when I’ve swallowed my pills.
Tilting my head, I shift to relieve some discomfort. “I guess?” I don’t know who is here, because I already answered a text from Violet. She said she planned to stop in to see me at lunch tomorrow.
The nurse nods, finishes checking my monitors, and leaves. A minute later, there’s a tap on my door.
Duke stands in the doorway, his hands in his pockets. I blink a few times to make sure I’m not imagining him, but he’s still there. “Hey,” he says.
I shift, trying to sit up straighter. I run a hand over my hair. It’s pulled into a ponytail that hangs over my shoulder, but I can tell it’s probably a mess. “Hey.”
“May I come in?” He motions to the chair next to my bed. I nod, and he settles next to me. His gaze travels the length of me. He looks tired, his eyes red. “How are you?”
“I’m okay, I think. A little sore.” I study him. “What are you doing here, Duke?” He glances at his hands, and I realize that might have come off harsh. I clear my throat and try again. “It’s good to see you. But don’t you have practice? Is Tabby okay?”
“She’s great. With Nancy.” He meets my gaze. “I just needed to see you. Make sure you’re okay.” He gives a half smile, but it doesn’t get to his eyes. “I didn’t want to be anywhere else today.”
I can’t keep from touching him. Reaching for his hand, I cover his fingers with mine. “Thank you. For coming to see me.”
He swallows. “Of course.” He squeezes my hand, and his eyes roam the room like he doesn’t know where to look. “Listen, I know you’re tired. I just wanted to see you, to be sure…”
“I love you,” I blurt out. His gaze darts to mine. I grip his hand so tightly that I’m afraid I’m hurting him. “I love you, Duke.” He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. Emotions sweep over his features, and I try to define them. Surprise, hope, something infinitely precious. “I am sorry. I should have been more upfront with you. But I wasn’t trying to hurt you. It’s just hard for me.”
His thumb rubs against my knuckles. He reaches forward and brushes a thumb against my cheek. It’s only then that I realize there are tears on my face. “What’s hard?”
“Trusting people.” My voice is raspy, and I don’t think it’s just from my surgery. “I’ve been afraid to trust you. To trust that maybe you might love me, even when I’m harder to love.”
“You’re not hard to love at all, Freckles.” He chuckles. “You’re a fucking ray of sunshine.”
I scowl at him. “I can be super independent, closed off. I’m used to relying on myself. It might take me some time to learn how to be different.”
“Whatever you are is just right.” He moves to sit next to me. “I’m not perfect either, Freckles. We’ve already established I don’t ask for help well. We’ll work it out. And I’m sure there will be other things that come up. But I want to do this with you. I want to be with you, to go through this together.” He cups my face, staring into my eyes. “I love you, June Harlow. I’ve missed you.”
I reach for him, all my wires and tubes still attached, and he leans forward, covering my mouth sweetly. The kiss is everything I’ve ever wanted. It’s a promise, and it feels like home to me.
Someone clears their throat from the doorway, and we break apart. My nurse scowls at us. “Miss Harlow just had surgery. She needs her rest, sir.” Her voice is heavy with disapproval.
“You’re right.” Duke gently stands. “I’ll be back tomorrow, at lunchtime.”
“You have practice, don’t you?”
He shrugs. “I’m the captain. I decide where it’s important for me to be. And tomorrow, at lunchtime, it’ll be important to be here.” He leans over and kisses my forehead. “I love you, June Harlow. Never doubt that.”
“I love you, too, Duke,” I whisper back. He squeezes my hand one more time, and then he leaves.
