Page 82 of One Night With You

“Of course you’re an idiot. You’re a guy in love.”

“I’m sure there’s a movie or something called that.”

Hudson’s lips quirked. “The kids are with Leif and Brooke, since they had come home early from the party, and my parents are still on a cruise. I can’t believe they’re on a fucking cruise right now.”

“Do they get home soon?”

“It’s a month-long cruise. It’s one of their bucket list items. So it’s hard to get phone calls out to them. But I’ll tell them everything.”

“A Kingston Montgomery?” one of the orderlies said, and I turned on my heel.

“Yes?”

“Claire would like to see you.”

“Okay, I’ll be right there.” I turned to Hudson. “You okay out here?”

“I’m going to try to get hold of the parents. You go make sure my sister’s okay. Thank you though. For saving her life? I could never repay you.”

“She’s my everything. I don’t know what I’d do if I hadn’t been there.”

We met gazes, both of us swallowing hard, until I finally made my way into Claire’s room. She lay there, so small, wrapped in a blanket, and smiled at me.

“I’m fine,” she said for what had to be the fifteenth time that hour.

“You might be fine, but I’m not.”

Her eyes widened and she looked me over, panic etched on her face. “Did you get checked out?”

“I wasn’t in the water for as long as you.”

“Mr. Montgomery?” one of the nurses cut in, and I shook my head.

“Claire first. I’m okay. Promise.”

I had changed into scrubs, and looked ridiculous,but I didn’t care. I just needed to make sure Claire was okay. Soon we were left alone, and I cupped her face with my hands.

“Are you truly okay?”

She nodded, her gaze on mine. “Minor hypothermia and a few cuts and bruises. But I’m very, very lucky.”

My body shuddered thinking about it. “I still can’t believe I was on the road.”

“Whatever fate or gods pushed you toward that, I’m forever grateful.”

I kissed the top of her head and tried not to fall right there with her right in front of me. “Damn straight.”

“So, you love me?” she whispered.

“Fuck yes.” When she laughed, I knew I had said the right thing. “I haven’t felt this way before and I didn’t know what it meant. But I knew I needed to say something.”

“I’m not great at saying things either. As is evidenced by how long it took me to tell you anything about what I felt.”

“I was worried about you, and I wanted to come see you, so I was going to help at your work, completely unasked, completely over the top. I never expected the accident. Hell. I never expected you.” I paused, shaking my head. “I’m not great at this.”

“Like I am?” she said with a laugh.

“I know I can’t be the one that fixes everything. Iknow that. But I want to be. I want to be the one who can do it all. But in the end, I know I just need to try. To be with you.”

---