Page 121 of If We Never Met

He looked up as Keira came out of the bathroom in a white terry-cloth robe. Her hair was still damp, her cheeks pink from the moist heat of the shower, but her gaze was as bright as ever. She really was very good at bouncing back from adversity. "No longer a mess, but still beautiful," he said, walking over to give her a kiss.

"Thank you. It's your turn."

A knock came at the door. "I'll take a shower after breakfast. I'm starving."

He opened the door and Lizzie rolled in a small table, filled with covered dishes. She put it by the window and then threw her arms around Keira.

As the two women hugged for a long minute, he could see the love between them. Keira might be an only child, but her friends were as close as sisters.

"I am so glad you're all right," Lizzie said as they broke apart. "I brought you some clothes." She walked over to the table and pulled off the tote bag that was hanging from the handle. "This will get you through today, but you can come down and pick out whatever else you need for the next few days."

"That's so nice, Lizzie. Thanks. I have clothes at the shop I can wear, so I shouldn't need too much."

"I'm happy to share my closet with you. Now, tell me how you're feeling and what is going on with your foot?"

"A small fracture. It should heal quickly, and it doesn't hurt that much unless I put all my weight on it. The doctor gave me a walking boot. Hopefully, I won't have to wear it on Saturday. At the very least, I am hoping to skip it for the walk down the aisle and the photos. I may need it for the reception."

"No one cares about that, least of all, Hannah. We're just extremely thankful that you're…" Lizzie's mouth shook. "I don't even want to say it."

"Don't say it," Keira said. "Dante and I have made a pact to not think about what didn't happen, and we should make the same promise to each other."

"It will be difficult, but I'll try." Lizzie turned her gaze toward him, gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you for saving Keira. I still don't know all the details, but Adam said you saved her life."

"The firefighters were right behind me," he said.

"Don't listen to him," Keira said. "Dante did save me. He was amazing."

He cleared his throat and changed the subject. "So, what did you bring us for breakfast?"

"I got a little carried away," Lizzie said with a laugh.

"You?" Keira joked. "Shocker."

Lizzie smiled. "I know. I can't help myself. Anyway, I brought you a ton of food: a veggie omelet, lemon-ricotta pancakes, waffles with blueberries, fruit, and a hash-brown scramble. I know it's going to be a difficult day for you, Keira, having to see your house and figure out your next move, so I wanted to make sure you had a good breakfast. Also, whatever I can do to help, I'm available."

"I appreciate that," Keira said. "But you didn't need to bring so much food. There are only two of us, and I still have to fit into my bridesmaid's dress."

"Oh, you'll be fine." Lizzie dismissed Keira's comment with a wave of her hand. "I'll let you two eat. But I am only a phone call away, and I want to help, so put me to work."

"I will probably take you up on that, but I'm still trying to pull myself together," Keira answered. "Once I see the house again and talk to my mother, we'll come up with a plan."

"Okay. Enjoy."

As Lizzie left, they pulled two chairs up to the table and sat down. They shared everything, not bothering to fill their own plates, just digging in with their forks to eat whatever took their fancy. Everything really was different with Keira. It was so easy, so comfortable, and so right. They could talk or not talk. The silence was effortless as the conversation. They were connected in a way that he'd never felt before.How had he ever thought he could just say goodbye and leave?That idea seemed ludicrous now.

When they were finally finished, Keira sat back, putting a hand on her stomach. "I'm stuffed. That was delicious."

"Lizzie outdid herself. Your friends really care about you, Keira."

"I'm very lucky."

"And very loved." He was struck again by how much Keira had in this town, her mom, her friends, her businesses—her whole life.How could he ask her to give any of it up?"Being in love is the easy part, isn't it?" he muttered.

Her eyes widened at his words and a gleam of wariness entered her gaze. "Yes, I guess it is."

"I meant what I said last night, Keira. I am in love with you."

"But…" she queried.

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