For a second, I so badly wish his words were true. “You don’t have to lie.” My whispered words find escape.
He tugs on my fists still clutching his jacket and places my hands above the soft cotton of his navy-blue shirt. “D-do you think my heart w-would hammer like th-this, as if it just w-wants to break out of my body, if I d-didn’t find you beautiful?”
My mouth dries as I look up at his serious face. With one finger, he strokes my forehead and places a kiss there again. His hand drifts lower to my cheekbone, and when I think he’ll kiss me again, there’s a knock on the door.
“Mrs. Teager, there’s someone here to see you. Are you up for guests?” There’s a smile on the nurse’s face, but my heartbeat starts to race.
I worry it’s someone from Zane’s family, but then she explains, “Her name is Ivy Hart. She’s your friend?”
“Oh.” I release a deep breath of relief. “Yes, I would love to see her.”
“Good. I’ll give her a visiting pass.”
Zane is fixing my pillows when Ivy walks in.
Her eyes widen, and her mouth falls open before she swiftly schools her features. “Vi. How are you?”
“I’ve been better.” I smile, not wanting to go into a funk once again, and that loosens Ivy’s pursed lips.
She replies to my smile with her own before strolling inside. “Of course you have been. Hospitals are no fun, unless there’s a hot doctor involved. Is your doctor hot?”
I chuckle. “Zane, what do you think? Would you call Dr. Allen hot?”
He ducks his head, but not before I see his smirk. “Let me go as-sk him.” And with that, he leaves the room. I’m sure he understands by now that Ivy and me together is a dangerous combination.
As soon as we’re alone, Ivy fans her face. “Who cares about the doctor when you have such a hot fiancé?”
“Isn’t he?” I don’t know if it’s Ivy’s presence or the feel of Zane’s pounding heart that I still remember pulsating against my hand, but I feel much better.
“How are you really doing?” Ivy’s sober voice pulls my gaze away from the door through which Zane left.
“I’m better than I thought I’d be.” I give her a small smile, not liking the rare serious expression on her face. “But…my hair. The wedding is in three days.” My quivering muscles twitch as I gently place a hand over the bandage.
“Hey.” Ivy brings my hand down and grabs it between hers. “You don’t worry about that. I know someone who will do such magic with your hair that you won’t even notice this.”
“Are you sure? Because I can’t put on a wig. Everyone in Zane’s family is very handsy.”
“I get it. But you leave that to me. You just get well, and tomorrow, when you are home, I’ll bring someone to your place, okay?”
* * *
The next day, Zane parks his car outside the cabin. “W-wait for me,” he says before getting out from the driver seat. My eyes remain glued on him as he circles the front of the car with fast steps and opens the passenger door. I take his hand as he guides me to the porch.
Tassels and Mystery greet us on the steps, wagging their tails as they circle around us. After I take a seat on the recliner, they both jump next to me and start licking my face. I can’t help but giggle at their excitement. “You boys missed me this much?”
When I look at Zane, there’s a giant smile on his face, probably for the first time in two days.
“I’m a lucky girl to have so much love from all the boys in the house.” Those playful words leave my mouth, and I realize I’m imagining a fake dream. Before I can apologize or give a lame explanation to Zane, his cell phone vibrates on the table.
He grabs it and then looks toward the driveway. It’s not long before we hear a car engine coming to a stop.
“It must be Ivy. She’s bringing someone for my hair.” I point toward the shaved part of my head.
My assumption is proven true when Ivy walks up to our porch with someone trailing behind her.
“Hey, guys, meet Noel Hart.” She motions toward the girl who’s an exact copy of her and is shifting nervously on her feet.
Noel hesitantly waves at us.