I let out a silent chuckle. Letting out a contented sigh, I turn my attention to the TV screen.
Carla jogs into the living room and plops down on the couch, which has me saying, “No impersonations. I can’t laugh right now.”
She glances up at me. “Did you take something for the pain?”
“Yeah.”
Noah comes to join us, and I’m surprised when Carla doesn’t make a witty remark. Ten minutes into the movie, movement catches my eye, and I watch as Carla slinks off the couch in stealth mode. She crawls around the back of our couch, sneaking up on Noah, who’s fully focused on the TV screen.
Suddenly she pops up, her face hovering above Noah’s, startling him.
Then she freaking impersonates Donkey from Shrek, and I know I’m in for a world of pain.
“I hate it when you’ve got somebody in your face, you trying to give them a hint, and they won’t leave. Then there’s that big awkward silence… you know…”
I begin to laugh, pressing the cold compress to my ribs.
Noah just stares up at her, which has her saying, “Can I lie with you?”
“Nope.”
Carla pouts down at him. “Can I lie with you… Please.”
“Fuck,” Noah mutters. “You’re not going to stop, are you?”
“Nope.” She even lets the damn ‘P’ pop, just like Noah.
“Fine,” he huffs.
Carla darts up, and before Noah can change his mind, she lies down half over him and rests her head on his chest. She lets out a happy sigh. “Not so bad, is it?”
Noah shakes his head. “You’re not the one being used for a pillow.”
Carla snuggles into him. “My favorite pillow.”
I watch as emotion washes over Noah’s features, and his eyes dart back to the TV.
Yeah, he’s the only one watching because both Aria and I are staring at them.
After a minute or so, Noah places his arm over Carla, and when his attention is absorbed by the movie, he begins to caress his fingers up and down the length of her arm.
Yep, he’s already fallen for her. Lord only knows why he’s still fighting it.
ARIA
It feels as if I’m walking around with a permanent smile etched on my face.
Today is our two-month anniversary, and Forest has a surprise planned for me.
I’m giddy with excitement as I pack a weekend bag for us. Forest comes out of the bathroom with our toiletries and hands them to me.
He has fully healed, thank God. I hated seeing him in pain.
“That’s everything, right?” he asks as he glances inside the bag.
I zip it closed. “Yeah.” Excitedly, I say, “Let’s go.”
When we walk into the living room, I’m surprised to see Dad, Uncle Falcon, and Uncle Lake. “We didn’t know you were coming over.”
“I asked them to come,” Hana says as she gets up from the couch. “There’s something we need to do before you go away for the weekend.”
“Yeah?” Forest looks just as puzzled as me.
“Let’s go,” Dad says.
We follow them out of the suite, and when we approach the elevator, fear slithers down my spine, and the words burst from me, “I’m not ready.”
Dad comes to place his arm around me. “We’re all getting in with you and Forest. I had the elevator inspected.”
“Still.” My gaze darts up to Dad’s face. “I don’t think I can.”
Dad tilts his head and gives me an encouraging smile. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Trust me, sweetheart.”
“I do,” I whisper as emotion begins to war in my chest. I glance at Uncle Falcon and Uncle Lake.
Then my gaze stops on Forest, and he comes to weave his fingers with mine. “We can do this.”
He just recovered.
What if…
My breathing speeds up, and I shake my head.
I won’t survive it a second time if something goes wrong.
Forest lifts his arms and frames my face with both his hands. “You and me, babe. We can do this.”
I can see that Forest needs to do this, and hesitating for a couple more seconds, I gather every last bit of my strength and nod. “Okay.”
God, please don’t let this elevator fall.
Hana presses the button for the doors to slide open, and then she steps inside with her father. Uncle Lake gives me a comforting smile, then he reaches his hand out to me. “Baby steps.”
Uncle Falcon steps inside, taking Uncle Lake’s hand while joking, “You shouldn’t have.”
I let out a chuckle when Uncle Lake scowls at him. “You’re ruining my moment here.”
Dad steps inside, and he takes hold of my other hand. I suck in a desperate breath as panic makes my heartbeat speed up. I step into the box, and instantly my lungs stop working.
Forest pulls me to his chest, and I wrap my arms tightly around his waist. Burying my face against him, I squeeze my eyes shut and begin to pray.
Dad comes to wrap his arms around both Forest and me, murmuring, “We’ve got you. You’re not alone. Everything is fine.”