“I know so. They loved us. They’d want the best for us.” He leans across to kiss me. “Thank you for saying yes.”
“Thank you for asking, for talking to Vivian—and Vincent—and for this beautiful ring.”
“You’re welcome. Now I want you to go inside and get some rest before you have to be back at the hospital. I’ll come get you around four thirty.”
“Why don’t you come in and rest with me?”
His brows rise in an expression of total surprise that I haven’t seen before now. I love that I shocked him. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, Alfredo. I’m sure.”
MILO
I’m super confused about where I am and what’s happening. There’s this thing around my head that reminds me of an erector set. Just as I start to panic, a young woman appears by my bed. She’s got big brown eyes, shiny dark hair in a ponytail and is wearing pink scrubs.
“Take it easy, Mr. Giordino. You need to remain still.”
“Why?”
“Do you remember what happened?”
I’d shake my head, but I can’t. “No.”
“You were shot in the neck. Dr. Northrup performed emergency surgery that saved your life.”
“Jason did?”
“Yes.”
“My family…”
“They were all here during the night, but he sent them home to get some rest. They’ll be back in a few hours.”
“I was shot.”
“Yes, while sitting in traffic.”
“I don’t remember.”
“That’s not uncommon. My name is Gianna, and I’ll be your nurse today. Is there anything I can get for you?”
“I’m thirsty.”
“I’ll grab some ice chips until Dr. Northrup says you can have water.”
I stare up at the ceiling, desperately trying to remember what happened. But the last thing I recall is dropping passengers off at the airport. They were on their way home to Boston. After I left them at Departures, I was headed back to Little Havana to pick up a bachelorette party. Everything after leaving the airport is a blank. Considering what Gianna told me, I suppose that’s for the best.
Gianna returns with the ice chips, which are the best thing ever in my dry mouth.
“Do you have a cell phone by any chance?”
“I do.”
“Could you call my parents for me?”
“Sure.”
I recite my dad’s number, since he’s the one more likely to have his phone on him. My mom never knows where hers is.