My heart swells at how sweet he is. My gaze shifts to the massive bouquets. Red roses. My favorite, of course. I don’t know how I’ll get them home, so I’ll probably leave them for the medical staff here as a way of thanks for caring for me.
He slips out the door and my parents come right up to me. I hug them so hard.
I ask them to fill me in on everything I’ve missed.
Summer and Chelsea arrive next. They both burst into tears at seeing me awake.
My parents leave us to chat while they sit outside the room.
“God. You aged me by about ten years,” Summer sniffs.
“Sorry. This wasn’t planned,” I joke.
“One would hope not. Now let’s get you home. It’s been too quiet without you,” Chelsea replies.
“Quiet? Or are you two sick of cooking or getting takeout?”
They give each other a look before Summer looks at me, the twist of her lips giving her away.
“You girls will have to carry on without me.” I laugh.
Chelsea frowns. “Why? You’re awake now so surely you’ll be discharged in a few days.”
“I am, but Jeremy is taking me back to his place,” I admit excitedly.
Shock settles on their faces before Chelsea speaks. “He’s been a mess without you.”
I believe her after seeing his face today.
“He told me he loved me today.”
“I’m surprised he waited to say it. The guy has been a smitten kitten for ages,” Summer adds.
“A smitten kitten.” I laugh, but it hurts too much, and I grimace. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts.”
“Do you want me to call the nurse?” Chelsea asks.
I shake my head. “No, I had some pain meds not that long ago. I don’t want too much because it’ll make me drowsy. I want to stay awake.”
“So should I pack up your stuff?” Chelsea asks with a smirk.
“Not everything. I’ll be coming home.”
Summer laughs. “There’s no way that fine man is letting you out of his sight. You mark my words, you won’t leave his house.”
I wouldn’t mind living there permanently, as long as he treats me like a girlfriend and not a sick patient. I couldn’t handle that.
“Sounds like you’re trying to kick me out,” I tease.
Chelsea grabs my hand. “I’m not. I need to know where your head's at.”
“You planning on filling the room with someone?” I ask.
Summer snorts. “No way. And Chelsea isn’t allowed to move Bobby in.”
I look over at Chelsea, who wears a sad expression.
“You okay, Chelsea?”