Page 59 of Revive Me

“Just so you know, you were five minutes from finishing the movie.”

A shiver ripples down my spine. “I am 100% okay with that. I’m already going to have nightmares for the next three days.”

“Will you really?” For the first time, Roman’s voice is tinged with worry.

Sighing, I flip onto my back and stare up at the ceiling. “Probably. It’s fine. I’ve been getting too much sleep lately, anyway.”

“Shit, Liliana, I’m sorry.” He sounds regretful. “I thought you were kidding. I didn’t know it would be that bad for you. I’m a dick, I’m sorry.”

His concern is sweet, and I smile to myself. “Roman, it’s fine. I’m fine. I’m beingslightlydramatic.”

I think he’s weighing my words. Finally, he says, “Are you just saying that for my benefit?”

My smile grows. “No, I’m not. Promise.”

“In that case, I hate you back.”

A laugh bubbles past my lips. “I deserve that.”

“Yes, you do,” Roman says, but I can hear the fondness in his voice. “So…what comedy are you turning on to counteract the paranormal horror effects?”

I roll onto my side and glance at the TV. I don’t think I want to watch anything right now. I just want to keep talking to him.

“ProbablyFriends,” I lie instead. “That’s my usual feel-good show.”

“Never seen it.”

I gape at my phone before snapping it back to my ear. “Roman, I don’t think we can be friends anymore.”

When he doesn’t respond, I glance at my phone with a frown, wondering if the call dropped. But then I hear the unmistakable sound of theFriendstheme song.

“So, what episode is a good one to start with?”

Laughing, I shift into a more comfortable position and settle in to watch the show.

When we finally hang up six episodes later, I fall asleep with a smile on my face and the realization that this was the best Saturday night I’ve had in two years.

20

LILIANA

With every bit of progress Roman makes, he also grows more tense. I can see it in his eyes and his nervous drumming on his leg. I can see it every time we move from a strengthening exercise to a gait training exercise. His jaw clenches when he looks at the parallel bars.

It makesmenervous, too. It feels like we’re both waiting for something to happen, maybe even for something to break, and only then can we deal with whatever is making him nervous. Which means with every session—everysuccessfulsession—the tension just winds tighter and tighter.

And I think I’ve finally figured out the reason for it.

I’m sitting in the break room, mulling over the different ways I could approach this with Roman, when my phone buzzes.

Dad calling.

I’m smiling when I accept the call. “Hi, Dad. What’s up?”

“Hi, sweetheart. How’s your day going?”

I smother my sigh, because I know he’ll know what it means. “It’s good. Same old. I only have two more patients before I’m done for the day. How are you doing?”

“Same old,” he replies with a chuckle. “Retired life doesn’t change much.”

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