Page 95 of Healed Hearts

“I have a boyfriend.” The words come out quickly, his eyes darting to mine.

“Oh, that’s wonderful, Hold. When can I meet him?”

His shoulders relax. “Today. At ten. His daughter isn’t feeling the greatest. We just got the results back from her bone marrow biopsy, and we’re coming in to speak with Dr. Mays.”

“Ah, so that’s my new patient, then, huh? It was smart of you to ask. It’s challenging to work on family.”

He grins, his cheeks getting a little pink. “I know,” he mumbles. “Beck yelled at me for it and told me I should ask you.”

“He’s pretty smart too. Yes, I’d love to help. I’ll see you guys when you get here. I’m looking forward to meeting whatever lucky man has captured your heart. Ahh, all my boys are out here falling in love.” She sounds excited, but it makes me a little nervous. One perk of having parents that have disowned you is that you don’t have to worry about the crazy meeting the parents thing. But it doesn’t look like I’m going to escape that. Surely if I can win over Beck, I can win over his mom.

Holden giggles. “Well, to be fair, Beck and Ro havebeenin love for years.”

She sighs. “I know, but now they’re getting married. And you’re with someone. All my momma dreams are coming true.”

Holden reaches out, twirling his fingers in Wren’s curls absently, smiling at her. “Yeah… all my dreams are coming true too.”

Oh, fuck.If I wasn’t already in love? That right there would have done it.

“I’m so happy for you,” Lydia says softly. “Okay, so I’ll see you guys at ten. Be safe, love.”

“We will. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

He hangs up the phone, but seems a little shy, like he can’t quite meet my eyes.

“So, you weren’t kidding about her, huh? She really has pretty much adopted you.”

He nods, a soft smile on his lips. “Yeah, she really did. I love her. Danny too. I’m sure you’ll meet him at some point. We usually go once a month for dinner at their house. Lydia makes the best food, I swear. You guys will come with me soon, right?” He finally drags his eyes back to mine, ensnaring me in their green depths.

“Of course. I’d be honored.”

Roman had some work he had to do today, but Beck was off, so he insisted on coming to the hospital with us. He felt bad that he never had a chance to go over Wren’s chart before we did the bone marrow biopsy. I need to call Ruby and Henry, but I want to wait until I have more definite answers.

It’s an odd procession of the four of us walking into the hospital together. One thing I will say is that it’s definitely helping me stay calm. At least about Wren’s health. Meeting what is essentially my boyfriend’s mom? Not as calm about that.

Holden leads us to the elevators as he chats with Beck. The two of them are clearly well-liked. Everyone we’ve passed has waved and smiled at them. A few have tried to stop them to talk, but they’ve moved it along pretty quickly.

When we step off the elevator and onto the pediatric floor, a woman with bright blonde hair and startling blue eyes approaches us, pulling first Holden and then Beck into hugs.

“I see how it is. Holden comes around, and you forget about your own son.” Ahh, this must be Lydia.

“Behave yourself, Beck. I raised you better than that.”

He grins, and Holden chuckles. “I don’t know about that, Lydia. He’s a bit of a menace.”

She rolls her eyes, clearly accustomed to their playful rivalry. Her eyes shoot to me. “Hi, I’m Lydia. Beck’s mom.”

I wipe my sweaty palm on my thigh before holding out my hand to her to shake her hand. She looks from my face to my hand, and Holden cackles.

“Yeah, no. We’re not a handshake family,” Beck says.

Holden smacks him in the arm. “Stop, Beck. Don’t scare him off.”

Not a chance they could scare me off. I’m about to introduce myself when Beck grabs Holden in a headlock and ruffles his hair. Holden squawks, trying to squirm out of his embrace.

Lydia sighs. “Boys. Behave yourselves.” She turns back to me and reaches out to shake my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

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