“No,” I whisper. “He didn’t.”
“He’s a handsome bastard, isn’t he?” He huffs out a laugh.
Moving even closer, I slide a finger over Liam’s smooth chin. “He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever known.”
***
Time stalls when Liam’s eyelids finally flutter open.
I move to stand next to him.
I’ve been here all night. Maybe it’s been longer. This room doesn’t have any windows, and my cell phone wasn’t allowed, so Tilly promised she’d keep it safe in her purse.
I didn’t need it.
I texted Jeremy to tell him what was happening before I came back in to settle into a chair for the night.
Liam’s parents kept vigil in the waiting room, but they insisted that I take the chair in his room.
“ It’s what my boy would want ,” his dad said.
“Liam,” I whisper his name. “Please open your eyes.”
One lid cracks open. His voice comes out in a growl. “Lilac?”
My breath catches in my chest at the sound of that. I’ll never tire of hearing him call me that.
“I’m here.” I lean closer. “I’m here, Liam.”
His other eye opens a touch. “Pull that down.”
I tug the mask down so he can see my entire face. I know I look like hell. I spent half the night in tears, both happy and sad. I spent the rest of the time trying to sleep, but I couldn’t.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispers. “Look how beautiful.”
“You are.” I smooth a finger over his bare chin. “You had this face under all that hair.”
He tries to laugh, but a cough escapes him. “You like this face?”
With the mask still down, I lean even closer. “I love this face.”
His eyes find mine. “I love you.”
I hold back the urge to kiss him because I don’t know the risks and I won’t jeopardize his recovery. Instead, I rest my lips against the soft skin of his cheek. “I love you, Liam.”
Tears well in his eyes. “Say it again.”
“I love you.” I swallow hard. “I love you with my whole heart.”
His lips tug up into a smile. “I love you with my whole heart. It’s fixed now.”
“I didn?
??t know it was broken.”
His gaze skims my face. “I have so much to tell you.”
I kiss his forehead. “You will. I think you’re supposed to rest now.”