Page 181 of The Re-Proposal

“Don’t think of it like that.”

“How am I supposed to think about it?” I cry out.

He runs his fingers over my forehead. “The kid I was in college—he wasn’t good enough for you. I wouldn’t have given you the attention, the love, the world you deserve. I would have ruined you. Ruined us. Just like I ruined our wedding day. I needed to grow up. I needed to become a better man for you. A man who could choose you, even if it meant losing the world.”

My gaze drops from him to my feet.

Cody nuzzles my neck. “Ask your questions. I have nothing to hide.”

“Why,” I dig my fingers into the flap of his collar, “why didn’t you show up to our wedding that day? I waited for you until midnight.”

“Midnight?” His eyebrows hike.

“Your last text said you’d be there. You swore you would. I stayed. Like a fool, I stayed and waited.”

My heart pangs at the memory. The last thing I expected to be doing on my wedding night was sobbing my eyes out next to a hobo who was higher than a kite.

It was the worst night of my life.

And I’d once slept next to a dumpster with my mom so…

That was saying something.

Cody’s eyes burn like twin flames. He opens his mouth as if he’ll unveil something important.

Just then, his phone rings.

“It’s Vargas.” Cody puts it on speaker.

Vargas’ voice rings with joy. “I just got a call from the hospital. Joel woke up!”

* * *

Cody skidsto a stop outside of Joel’s hospital room. Conflicting emotions roar through his eyes.

“Come on.” I take his hand and open the door.

The first thing I hear is Joel’s heart monitor beating strong and steady.

Relieved tears flood my eyes. I kept telling myself that Joel would be okay, but it’s another thing toseehim alive and moving.

Sure, he’s hooked up to so many tubes, he looks more machine than boy.

And yes, I know he needs a new heart.

But he’s a kid that beat the odds. It won’t be easy, but I believe he can continue to do so.

“It’s good to see you, Joel.” I approach the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Better now that you’re here,” he croaks.

I chuckle, noting his watery smile. He’s too weak to go full flirt-mode, but it’s a valiant effort.

Cody shuffles forward, hunkering like a silent beast who doesn’t know how to make friends.

“Cody was really worried about you,” I say, trying to fill the awkward silence.

“Somehow, I don’t believe that.”

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