Page 234 of The Re-Proposal

“He’s getting a heart.”

Tears slip down my face. Overcome with gratitude, I pull the man I love closer and plant a wet, sloppy kiss on his lips.

25

THE LUCKIEST MAN

CODY

I dragClarissa into my lap, unable to let go of her. Joel is unconscious in the hospital cot, looking extremely pale after his heart transplant.

A part of me wants to shake him and demand he open his eyes. The other part doesn’t mind the privacy.

It’s been non-stop chaos all night.

The kidnapping.

The search and rescue.

The mad dash back to the hospital to see Joel being wheeled into the OP.

I love our giant, nosy friend group.

And I appreciate my security team.

But Clarissa and I haven’t had a moment to ourselves.

As the humidifier hums, I hold her tight and the world completely disappears.

There’s only her.

And Joel.

Yeah. Ris and Joel.

It feels right.

“I can’t believe I almost lost you both,” I growl. My throat burns with emotion.

The ups and downs I experienced tonight could make a grown man cry.

Ris cups my face. “I’m right here. And so is Joel.”

We both turn to look at the patient.

Ris leans her head against mine. “I never thought the sound of a heart beating on its own would be so sweet to my ears.”

I listen to the steady sound of the machine.

Going off to rescue Clarissa while grieving Joel nearly broke me. I told myself not to focus on anything else, but there was this gnawing hole in my gut.

I was worried about Ris.

I was worried about what I’d saytoRis when I found her.

I didn’t want to give the woman I love the news that Joel was gone.

“I’m glad he pulled through,” I say.

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