Page 8 of Hope & Harmony

My heart races like crazy, though. I've made a promise to Hope that everything will be okay. Any minute I'll need to sign off on her paperwork, the thought causing the gravity of what I've done to sink in.

We're not married. She's not on my insurance. How in the hell will I pull this off?

I've got to figure it out. Luckily, her care team arrives, giving me the chance to step out and phone a friend.

"Dude, I need you to do me a solid," I blurt out when Jamie answers my call.

After I recount the afternoon's events, he gives me good advice. "Call HR. Hungry Llama might cover her, but you need to get on top of it before she racks up hundreds of thousands of dollars in charges."

Shit. I didn't think about the ramifications of my impulsiveness. Now it makes sense why she wanted me to send the ambulance away. I can't imagine not having health insurance.

No wonder she was so freaked out.

An hour later, I’m fighting the urge to nod off when Hope wakes up, confused and vulnerable.

"You're here?" she rasps when she sees me sitting beside her. "I don’t even know you. Why would you say you're my husband?"

Man, how do I even start? The truth, I guess. There's no turning back now. "I'm Alek. I've watched you perform at the Market at lunchtime for the past few months and always wanted to...I don't know, connect with you somehow? I'm crap at social stuff. Today, when you mentioned you'd be playing another set,I came back and gave you a tip under the guise of asking you for coffee. You were in a hurry, though, so I aborted the mission. On my way back to work, I saw some sketchy guy follow you and I couldn't just do nothing. I felt compelled to protect you."

Her eyes widen. Almost like she doesn't believe me. Or maybe she's not used to people going out of their way for her. Either way, she's clearly trying to figure out if I'm for real. "You didn't have to do what you did. This could come back and bite us in the ass."

"I know. Honestly, though? I'd do it all over again if it helps you.” Somehow, my words flow effortlessly today. "I called work, and there's a way…but it’s out there. Probably too weird…"

Hope cracks a small smile, and it's like a ray of sunshine breaking through clouds. She reaches for my hand, her grip surprisingly strong. "Thank you for everything. Tell me how we'll get through this."

I fill her in on the plan and, shockingly, she seems to be on board.

How did my lie turn into the most real thing I've ever felt?

This will be one heck of a story for our grandkids if we ever get there...

Whoa.

CHAPTER 8

HOPE

Two Days Later

Good God, make it stop…

Lying here in this too-bright hospital room, my head pounds like it's trying to keep beat with the annoying buzz of the overhead lights.

Every time I open my eyes, it feels like I'm stuck in limbo between the life I was living and what’s waiting for me on the other side of this headache.

It’s terrifying.

Through my haze, I hear Dr. Felix discussing my care protocol with Alek. "Hope’s responsive, her memory’s intact, and the swelling’s gone down.” He’s so calm as he delivers bombshell after bombshell. “No brain injury is the same, and recovery will be different for everyone. I have high hopes for a full recovery as long as she rests and heals for the next couple of months. We’ll get her set up with physical therapy and counseling. Regular checkups, of course.”

“I understand. I’ve got her covered—I’m working from home until she's back on her feet.” Alek is so sure of himself. He’s a take-charge kind of guy.

”Great. I’ll get the release papers prepared.” Dr. Felix glances over to see I’m awake and listening. He takes a step toward me. “Hope, remember, just because an injury isn't visible doesn't mean it isn't real.”

Alek beams down at me like he’s been by my side forever, not some guy who willingly placed himself in my mess by pretending to be my husband.

Not until after the doc leaves—who placed a clean pair of scrubs on the end of the bed for me to change into—does it really hit me how crazy this all is. Alek being here is legit amazing, but also super stressful.

We’re strangers bound together in a huge lie. And now I’m about to move in with him so we can officially be domestic partners.

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