Page 69 of More Than Falling in Love

I close my eyes, much too aware that Poppy was right about what I needed.

Chapter 25

Poppy

When the plane lands, I turn off airplane mode, and messages flood my phone.There are only three, but one was from Kent’s phone.

Kent:Dad is really sick.

I hate that I missed the message from Mason.He’s probably asleep now, so I don’t call him.

I scroll through the other messages.

Parker:Kent’s in the hospital.Appendix.Possibly ruptured.

San Antonio has oodles of hospitals.I need specifics, so I keep scrolling.

Dad:Kent’s having surgery.Ava is up at the hospital.Mason is with me.But I wanted you to know.

That message was sent fifteen minutes ago.

Me:Which hospital?Is Mason okay?

Dad sends me a link to the hospital before answering my second question.

Dad:He’s sound asleep next to me.I’ll have him call you tomorrow.

Me:Thanks.Give him a kiss for me.

I get an Uber and rush to the hospital.When Kent gets out of surgery, I want to be there.Trying to talk my way past the front desk after visiting hours will be challenging, but I’ll do just about anything to get to him.

When I step inside the hospital, I come face-to-face with Ava.Without saying a word, she grabs my hand and pulls me toward the elevators.

Once the doors close and we’re on our way up, she speaks.“Doctors said he’ll be fine once they get it out.”

I nod.Talking to her right now is too risky.

“Does anyone else know you’re here?”When I shake my head, she rubs my arm.“He’ll be glad you came.”

I’m not sure she’s right but a glimmer of hope that she might be is why I’m here.

The doors open, and Ava walks up to a nurse.“I was with Kent Meadows, but I have to go home.This is Poppy.She’s staying with him.”

“Sure.The waiting room is just down the hall.Give me your number, and I’ll call you when he’s out of surgery.”

“Thank you.”I rattle off my number, then hug Ava.“He might not be happy to see me.”

“We don’t know that for sure.”She pulls back and cups my cheek.“He knows you care.”

She steps back into the elevator, and I plant myself in the waiting room.They should’ve labeled this room the torture chamber because the wait is torment.

Kent stirswhen I walk into his hospital room.He looks at me and sighs.He’s probably on some heavy stuff after being cut open.

“Hey there.”

“Flutter.”His eyes close.

Everything I want to tell him will have to wait.I don’t even have all the details ironed out, and I wanted to surprise him when plans were final and in motion.But seeing him like this is tearing me up.

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