Page 82 of Love By a Landslide

“Let me guess, you’re—”

“The one and only.” He let go and slapped the back of Jonathan’s shoulder once before stepping back into the hall. Picking up the bags, he continued, “Her folks and I were beside ourselves with worry. But we’re all back together, and we have you to thank for that.”

Guilt, frustration, sadness—all of it—had to be pushed down so Jonathan could half-ass a brief smile. “You’re welcome. Take good care of her.”

Brodan tilted his head and squinted. A flash of knowing scrolled across his face then vanished, leaving behind the smug, megawatt smile. “Without question.” He threw a thumb over his shoulder. “I gotta get back to my girl. Her burger’s getting cold.”

Jonathan nodded, and the elevator doors closed.

Good. She won’t be alone.

He did his best to hunt for comfort in that thought as he headed to the parking garage where Frankie waited.

Chapter forty

Lucy

Beep . . . Beep . . . Beep . . .

Lucy flinched with each chirp of the monitor wired to her chest. She sat there silently, back ramrod straight, eyes trained on the wafting yellow curtain.

Come back.

Her gut told her to be patient. Any moment, Jonathan would come hurtling back into her room, begging for forgiveness and cover her bruised and fractured body with kisses. They’d shared so much over the last four days, how could he not? He just needed the clarity to realize the mistake he’d made. It wouldn’t take long.

But as seconds crept into minutes, doubt swirled and clawed at her faith like punishing rapids in a bloated river.

Footsteps tapped down the hallway. No squeak, which meant it wasn’t one of the nurses. Immense hope flooded her one last time before her friend sauntered through the doorway, holding a near-bursting bag of takeout.

It was then that she knew. Certain that Jonathan was gone, done with her.

Lucy’s lip quivered and tears she’d struggled to hold back streamed steadily down her face. A rough sob racked her body, pulling at her fractured rib. She almost welcomed the pain, grateful for the ache of something tangible rather than thephantom throb of a broken heart.

Todd dropped the plastic bag and hurried to her side, wrapping his arms around her as she cried. He didn’t try to quell her tears. Instead, he allowed her the space to unload her anguish fully.

“I’m here, sweet pea,” he cooed, stroking her still-snarled hair.

“He left,” Lucy mumbled against the collar of Todd’s soft leather jacket.

“Who? The guide?”

She pulled back and nodded.

“Visiting hours are over. I’m sure he’ll be back tomorrow to check on you.”

Fresh tears followed the damp trails already forged on her cheeks. Lucy shook her head. “He doesn’t want me.”

“What are you . . .” Todd scanned her face, eyes popping wide with understanding. “I thought there was something going on. Between you acting so distracted and his expression at the elevator. I knew something was up.”

He snatched up the discarded bag of takeout then dragged a chair and rolling tray table to the side of the inclined hospital bed. As he untied the knot at the top, the smell of bacon and fries wafted over Lucy. There was no way she could eat, not after what just happened.

“It’s a long story.” Lucy let her head fall back against her pillow as she wiped at her nose.

“Luckily, Nurse Marla is a sucker for chili cheese fries, so we have as much time as we need.” He smiled warmly as he pulled out a couple of cardboard containers and paper napkins. “I’m gonna need the whole sordid tale.”

“I figured.”

“But first, you’re going to get something more in your bellythan that retched hospital food you barely touched.”

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