Page 83 of The Summer Arrangement
He’s wearing a black hoodie with a baseball hat covering most of his face, but it’s clearly him. Surely, he’ll get recognized in a place like this. Especially with his bandmate Finn standing next to him.
“We couldn’t let you drive in this condition,” he admits as he points to the exit. “Where’s your car? The girls dropped us off, and it’s only a matter of time until we’re recognized.”
“Girls?”
“Raven and Sloane insisted you not drive or be alone for that matter. They’re already on the way back to Seaside. No sense in all of us waiting.”
“Youallcame?”
“Dude, you don’t get it, do you?” Finn laughs.
“What don’t I get?” I ask, making my way to the parking garage.
“There’s nothing those girls won’t do for their family.”
“But… I’m not family,” I say, pressing the elevator button.
“But Lizzy is… and by the way every single one of us was at the hospital within minutes of hearing about Emilia arriving, I’m pretty certain you’re a part of us… whether you like it or not.”
“I’m right here.” I unlock my car and pop my luggage in the trunk.
As I walk around to the driver’s side, Finn stops me. “Look, man, I can’t imagine the trainwreck of emotions you’ve been through today. Let me drive. I promise, I’ll get you to your daughter.”
Realizing how frazzled my nerves are, I relinquish my keys, then go to the passenger side, as Jax climbs into the back seat.
We ride in silence as Finn maneuvers his way out of the parking garage.
Once we’re on the freeway, Jax hits me with another truth bomb.
“Look, I’m not exactly sure what yoursummer arrangementis with Lizzy being Emilia’s nanny. But after witnessing her actions tonight, I’m certain that girl loves bothyou and your daughter. I hope like hell for your sake you know just how special she is.”
Jax’s words roll through my mind the entire drive to Seaside. I know Lizzy’s special. If I have my way, I’ll turn this summer arrangement into something permanent. She’s it for me. She has been since that day in the coffee shop.
I was stupid and let her go before, but I won’t make that mistake twice.
As soon as I get the chance, I’m gonna tell her exactly how I feel.
But first, I need to make sure Emilia’s okay.
It’s barely five in the morning when I finally walk through the door of the hospital room. The lights are off, and the sound of monitors beep in the distance. I’m surprised to find Lanie resting on the lounge chair beside the bed.
Where is Elizabeth?
I can’t imagine her leaving Emilia’s side.
Maybe she’s in the bathroom?
As I look around the room, it hits hard—the guys were right.
Without a doubt, the Lancasters do love my daughter.
Not only did they drive all that way just to make sure I know I have a support system, Lanie’s spent the entire night at the hospital. Hell, the entire family’s gone out of their way to be there for both Emilia and me. I don’t know how I’ll ever thank them or let them know how much this means but somehow, I’ll find a way.
When I turn the corner in the room, and my daughter’s hospital bed comes into view, my heart combusts on the spot. There’s Lizzy, lying on her side, barely staying on the bed, with her arm wrapped under Milli’s head. Milli’s snuggled up next to her, holding Lizzy’s arm like a security blanket. Milli has covers on her, but Lizzy’s on top of the blankets. She’s wearing my pajama bottoms and her green hoodie.
The brevity of what she’s gone through hits me like a ton of bricks. She literally dropped everything and put my daughter’s needs above all else. Despite the chaos of the last twenty-four hours, both look so peaceful and perfect—minus the hospital bed and monitors in the room. I almost hate to disturb them, but my need to be near them is unbearable.
Walking beside Milli, I brush the hair back from her face and kiss her forehead. She smells sweet and innocent. Suddenly, all is right in the world. Now that I can see for myself that she’s okay, my legs almost buckle from the weight I’ve been carrying.
