Page 86 of The Beat of her Heart

Addie studied her, taking in the hint of vulnerability in Giselle’s face, a softness she hadn’t seen before.

“You weren’t just scared of love, were you?” she asked quietly.

Giselle nodded. “I didn’t think I deserved this. Any of it. I didn’t want to believe I could be close to anyone, even just as friends. I didn’t want to risk losing anybody and hurting them, or myself.”

Addie watched her, a small, tentative warmth rising in her chest. “And now?”

Giselle’s eyes lifted to hers, somethingunguarded in them now. “And now it matters more than I ever thought it could.”

Addie’s breath caught, the words settling between them, and she took a small step closer.

“Giselle, I love you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “And it…it hurt when I thought I didn’t matter enough for you to share that part of your life with me.”

Giselle swallowed, her gaze unwavering. “I love you too, Addie. More than I ever thought I could.”

She took Addie’s hand, her fingers hesitant but warm against Addie’s. “I want to be here. For you. For Sophie.”

Addie’s lips parted, her heart lifting at the words, something calming inside her for the first time in what felt like ages. She squeezed Giselle’s hand.

“Then stay. Just…stay with us.”

Addie’s heart raced as Giselle leaned closer, her hand still holding hers, the warmth grounding them both. The world faded around them, leaving only the quiet hum of machines and Sophie’s steady breathing. Addie’s gaze held hers, a soft, hesitant smile on her lips.

Giselle nodded, her hand steady in Addie’s. “I will. I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Addie looked down at Sophie, a soft smile spreading across her face.

“I love you, Giselle,” Addie whispered again, her words steady and clear.

“I love you, too, Addie.”

Giselle pulled her close, her hand coming up to cup her cheek as she leaned in, pressing her lips gently to hers.

The kiss was soft, slow, a quiet promise made in the silent hospital room. Addie’s hand tightened around Giselle’s, her lips warm and steady, and Addie let herself fall into the moment, into the reality she’d almost lost.

When they pulled back, Giselle’s hand lingered, her gaze still locked on Addie’s, a small smile breaking through the seriousness in her face.

Addie brushed a hand over Giselle’s cheek. “Thank you. For saving her,” she murmured.

Giselle nodded. “Thank you for being here.”

They stood there for a few moments, justholding each other and savoring the quiet. Addie wrapped her arms around Giselle’s waist, resting her head against her shoulder, and Giselle closed her eyes.

The door creaked open, and they turned to see Madeline standing there, grinning with raised eyebrows.

“Well, look at you two,” she said, crossing her arms. “I knew you had it in you, but seriously, get a room. Preferably not in the hospital.”

Giselle rolled her eyes, a small laugh escaping. “Madeline, you have the worst timing.”

Madeline shrugged, chuckling. “That’s my specialty. Just thought I’d check in…didn’t know I’d be walking in on a rom-com.” She gave Addie a wink. “You chose well, Addie.”

Addie laughed, leaning into Giselle a bit more. “She grows on you, doesn’t she?”

Madeline laughed. “Oh, absolutely. But seriously, it’s about time you two figured things out.”

The door opened and Sarah stepped inside, looking slightly amused as she glanced between them.

“Dr. Wolfe, there’s someone here asking to see you.”

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