Page 85 of Summer Ever After
“Yeah, she’s been crying a lot.”
That doesn’t sound like Jane at all.
She pulls a curtain back. “Look who’s here. It’s Beau.”
I hesitantly step inside, suppressing my smile over how cute she looks with hooded eyes and puffy cheeks.
“Beau?” Her voice is dry and cracked. She peeks one eye open. “You look like Walker.”
The nurse gestures to the seat beside her bed. “I’ll be back with her prescriptions and post-op instructions.”
“Thanks.” I drop into the chair, watching as her smile morphs into a frown.
“I wanted Walker, but it’s Beau.” It sounds like she’s crying. “And now my eyes are broken because I only see Walker.”
I place my hand on hers. “I am Walker.”
“You’re Walker?”
“Yeah, I’m Walker. How are you feeling?”
“I can’t feel my tongue.” She flops it out. “Ish it still shere?”
“Yeah, it’s still there.”
“Good.” She closes her eyes again and leans back. “Where’s my phone? I need to tell Capri I’m okay.”
“I don’t know. Probably in your purse.”
“I tell Capri everything. She’s my best friend.”
“I know.”
Her eyes open and drift to me. “I think you’re not Beau.” She grabs my baseball cap and looks inside of it for a second before setting it over the back of her head sideways.
“My hat looks good on you.”
Everything about her face is straight. “I like you.”
“Yeah?” I laugh.
“I think…” Her words hang between us as her finger slides over my lips like she’s tracing something.
“What do you think?”
Her finger moves from my lips, and her eyes narrow as if she’s really studying me. “You’re cute,” she says at the same time her finger taps against my forehead.
I laugh despite the seriousness behind Jane’s expression.
“I’m going to blow your mind right now,” I say, watching as her face stays even. “Do you want to know how?”
I lean in, pressing my lips against her forehead. It’s not a quick peck. It’s intentional and heartfelt. I pull back, laughing at her wide eyes and her attempts to drop her jaw.
She turns her head, calling to the nurse, who’s nowhere in sight. “That cute guy is kissing me!”
Laughter spills over my gigantic smile. “Just on the forehead.”
Anything more feels wrong with her in this state.
