Page 36 of One Short Summer

For some reason, he chuckles. “Okay, okay. Sorry for asking, please don’t shoot me.”

A small smile breaks through on my face, and I stick out my tongue at him. “Do you want to leave right now?”

“How about we leave in the morning? That gives us enough time to pack, and we won’t be stuck in the afternoon traffic either. Plus, with the long drive we have ahead of us, we wouldn’t make it back in time for the visiting hours anyway.”

“That’s true, I didn’t even think about that. Let me go pack, so I’m ready to roll.”

Sliding off the stool, I grab my water bottle. Just when I’m about to pass Gabe, he grabs me by the wrist. Despite the situation, and the underlying worry for Dahlia that’s still simmering in my body, the skin contact has instant heat licking up my arm.

Light on my feet, I spin around to face him, waiting for him to say something.

After another minute of us silently staring at each other, he pulls me against him, wrapping his arms tightly around my upper body. With his chin resting on my head, he releases a long breath. “Thank you, Monica.”

I nod into his warm chest, realizing what a shock this must have been for him. I can’t help but hold him tighter, enjoying his warm embrace.

“Of course, Gabe. Always.”

Chapter Thirteen

Monica

We spentthe rest of the day packing and getting things arranged for our trip back home, while Gabe tried to finish his work obligations he had for the day, on top of everything else.

When we enter the hospital the next day, I’m exhausted from a restless night and the long drive. Even though Gabe said Dahlia is okay, I need to see it with my own eyes.

Thankfully, the trip wasn’t too bad, and without talking about it anymore, Gabe and I just kind of jumped back into our old roles. Making sure his sister’s all right got pushed to the top of both of our lists.

Gabe and I walk next to each other, my body buzzing with awareness over his close proximity. I try to shake myself out of those thoughts because now’s not the best time for them, but as usual, my brain does what it wants. The last thing we need is someone catching on to us though. Not that anything has really happened—yet.

Sidestepping an older lady with a walker, I’m momentarily distracted by the pale hospital hallways filled with patients, visitors, and hospital staff. The sterile smell of hand sanitizers and cleaning supplies clings to the air, not helping my funky mood right now. Besides my stunt last year, I can count on one hand the times I’ve been to hospitals as either a visitor or patient, and I’d like to keep that number low. No matter how hard they try to make the place look friendly and happy, it’s mostly just a really sad place.

Since Hudson told us which room Dahlia is in, we find it without any issues. If all the voices and laughter floating out into the hallway are anything to go by, they have a little party going on in her room.

The door swings open just as Gabe reaches for the door handle, almost slamming him in the face.

Our favorite rockstar pokes out his head. “There you are. Finally.”

He pulls both Gabe and me inside with a big grin on his face.

I can’t help but smile back at my best friend’s fiancé before he gives us both a hug. With the commotion going on, it only takes a second for the others in the room to realize we’re here. I smile widely, like I always do when I see the family that has come to mean so much to me ever since I came to Brooksville last year to lick my wounds. I’m always genuinely happy to see them.

I spot Rose, Dahlia’s twin, first, since it’s hard to miss her with her colorful hair. What were just a few little strands of colored hair last year has, at some point, turned into a full head of rainbow colors she frequently changes. When we left, it was purple; now, it’s a striking teal. She’s been in a self-discovery phase ever since I met her, and it seems like nothing much has changed about that.

Out of all four Mitchell siblings, she’s the only one without any artistic talent, or so it seems, and I have my suspicion that plays a role in her indecision of what to do with her life. For now, she helps out Dahlia at the academy and seems happy enough about it.

“Nice hair.” I point her way and chuckle, unable to keep the happiness down at seeing all these amazing people.

Gabe grunts behind me but stays quiet. He thinks we’re all just encouraging Rose to not take life too seriously.

Everyone comes over to give us hugs, like we were gone for months instead of just a few weeks. Besides Rose and Hudson, there are also their parents, Rebecca and Thomas, and, of course, Hannah, their beloved grandma.

I immediately notice two important people are missing, and I look around to see if I missed my best friend and my little goddaughter.

“Mira got sick last night, so Charlie stayed home with her.” Hudson is next to me, knowing exactly who I’m looking for.

“Oh no. Is she okay?” I don’t have a lot of experience with children except for Mira, but I remember Charlie telling me once that having a sick child is one of the worst things. She said it’s utterly heartbreaking, and I totally believe it.

He nods, his well-defined arms crossed over his chest. “Yeah, she seems to be sleeping it off for now. Already much better when I left earlier, but still not a good fit for a hospital, you know?” He eyes me like he knows something I don’t. “I’m sure she’d love to see you soon though. Even though you talked a lot while you were gone, I know she missed spending time with you in person.”

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