Page 68 of Second Chance Serenity

“Maybe physically, but—no. We’re not doing this. We got each other out of there. As a team.”

“Fair enough.” I lean back against the pillow. “Do they know who took us yet?”

“Yes. My brother’s set up a virtual meeting with your team this afternoon. My parents are with him back in some undisclosed location in Boston. They send their well-wishes.”

I snort. “Good of them.”

“I don’t know that I can forgive you for what you put me through before—when you left.” Her change of subject is so abrupt that I wonder if I misheard what she’d said. “But I want you to know that I’m trying. Even if I’m not sure—” She closes her eyes. “I can’t move on. I’ve tried. God knows I’ve tried.” She wipes her eyes. “No one is you. And I can’t tell if that’s me refusing to let go of the shell of what we had, or if it’s something more.”

I’m afraid to speak. To breathe. Because she’s saying all the things I’ve been desperate to hear since the moment I returned.

Before she can continue, the door opens, and a blast from the past strolls in, her obsidian hair in a tight braid over her shoulder. Wearing black combat boots, dark jeans, and a grey Army sweatshirt, she looks almost exactly as she did the last time I saw her. Piercing blue eyes find mine, and she grins. “Look who’s back from the brink of death.”

“Bianca? What? How?—”

“Lance phoned a friend when you were MIA. He said you’d been shot and were missing. I owed him one for saving my life, so it seemed a fair trade to rescue your tail.” She smiles at Reyna. “You’re looking better.”

“Amazing what a few hours of sleep and a shower can do.”

Bianca laughs. “Girl, don’t I know it. It really is good to see you, Anderson.”

Bianca Theodore was the best trauma surgeon I’d ever seen overseas. She handled more than a few injuries of mine and had been first on the scene when I’d nearly died. I hadn’t even realized she was out of the service. “You, too,” I tell her. “When did you get out?”

“About three years ago. I’m a veterinarian now. I prefer animals to people.”

“I’m sorry, I’m just surprised to see you,” I say as I realize I’m staring. Bianca and I had a date. One single date, and we both decided we were better off as friends. Me because I was still in love with Reyna. She never told me why she’d felt that way, but I always assumed it was someone back home.

“It’s all good. I was quite shocked to get the call from Captain Knight. And when I heard that it was the Reyna that you were with, I knew I couldn’t say no.” She winks at Reyna, who blushes. Bianca has never had much of a filter, so I’m not sure why I’m surprised that she blurted it out.

“I may have mentioned you a time or two,” I tell Reyna.

“A time or two?” Bianca laughs. “He couldn’t stop mentioning you. It was quite adorable.”

Reyna smiles softly, though I note the heaviness of her expression.

“Well, what’s the prognosis? Am I going to live?”

“As far as I know,” Bianca replies. “But I’m not your doctor.”

The door opens, and Lance walks in, Eliza at his side. “Thank God,” Eliza says and rushes forward to wrap her arms around me.

I return her hug with my good arm, grateful to be back home with friends. “It’s good to see you,” I tell her.

“It’s great,” she replies as she pulls back, tears falling down her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I can’t stop crying. I feel like it’s all I do right now.” She steps away and leans into Lance, who presses a kiss to the side of her head.

When her hand goes to her belly, joy flashes through me. “Are you?—”

She nods. “Just found out a few days ago.”

“That’s wonderful! And perfect news when I’m laying in a hospital bed.”

“You’re alive,” Eliza says. “And that’s what’s wonderful.”

“I’m going to go grab some coffee. Anyone want some?” Bianca asks as she gets to her feet.

“Please. I can come with you.” Reyna stands.

I long to reach for her. To pull her back down and ask everyone else to step out so we can continue our conversation, but I doubt it will go anywhere. Not after the interruption. So instead, I focus on being grateful that I get to see my friends again.

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