Page 60 of Release
He said nothing as he stepped inside, arms outstretched, followed by…Bash?
“Bash? Why are you…I mean how did you…” She couldn’t come up with the right question now that her father had his arms wrapped around her tightly, so she finished with, “Hi.”
Dad ran his hand through her hair, and Bash hung back a few steps away, smiling warmly when their eyes locked.
“Sebastian was with me at breakfast when the hospital phoned, honey,” Dad told her, making her that much more confused. “He wanted to be here for you. Actually, he drove us up here. I phoned Rosa on our way. She’s coming from across town so she’ll be a while. Never mind all that. How are you feeling?”
“Fine, Dad. They’re just keeping me for observation.”
“How did this happen?”
“I slowed down to make a left, and I guess someone in a pickup truck rear ended me.”
“That must have hurt.”
“Yes. I’m waiting to find out about Eva. I just woke up, so I haven’t spoken to her since the crash. Do you have your phone with you? I want to phone Rick.”
“I’ve called him already. He said not to worry about anything. It’s all under control, honey.”
Alexandra really wanted to speak with Bash, but someone else propped the door open. Eva stuck her head in this time. There was a bandage above her left eye.
Hi Lex!” she called out. She stepped inside, wearing two hospital gowns and her stiletto heels. “I checked on you a couple of times, but you were unconscious. How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. How about you?”
“Fine. They’re releasing me in a few hours.” She looked over at Bash with an eyebrow raised, then greeted Dad. “Hi Mr. Storme. Hi Sebastian.” Looking back at Alexandra, she told her, “I have to wear two of these dreadful gowns until the doctor lets me out of here. One’s tied forward, and other has to go on the other way to cover me up. I swear they make these pastel floral prints so patients will be in a hurry to get released.” She looked down at the gown and smoothed out the fabric. “And God, do they ever clash with my skin.”
Alexandra smiled. “You look great. I’m surprised we’ve been here for hours and the paparazzi hasn’t clued in yet.”
“Count your blessings for small miracles, dear.”
Dad turned to her. “Let’s all hope they stay in the dark until you’re both released, or you’ll need guards at your doors.” He noticed Bash in the background and straightened up. “Eva, how about you show the old man where to find a vending machine? I’m parched from the drive.”
Catching the hint, Eva nodded and came over to Alexandra. “I’ll be back, love,” she told her, bending to kiss her forehead, which was when she whispered, “Claim your man! Brand his ass. The hotter the better.” She smiled and turned to Dad. Hooking her arm in his, she told him, “Let’s go round up some fluids, Mr. Storme.”
SEBASTIAN stood facing Alexandra’s hospital bed. His heart thundered beneath his rib cage, his palms were sweaty. For a few moments, he had no words, and neither did Alexandra. He took a step forward and forced himself to speak. “How are you feeling?” he managed.
“I’m okay. Just a bit of pain at the back of my head.”
He nodded, and took another step forward. “Suspected head trauma. Is that what they told you?”
“Yes. I have to do an MRI soon.”
He was standing here, looking down at Alexandra in that hospital bed, and had no idea what to say.
“I’m sorry,” Alexandra told him first. “For hurting you the way I did. For betraying your trust with Wilkes…although you need to know nothing happened, except for—”
“It’s okay,” he said, taking the final step that closed the distance between them. He covered her hands with one of his, and ran the other one through her hair. “None of that matters. Besides, I owe you an apology too.”
“For the pretty redhead?”
“Yes. Nothing happened. Wait, how do you know she’s a redhead?”
She looked away for a moment and seemed to force down a smile. “Never mind that. It’s fine. You’re right that it doesn’t matter. What matters is, do you forgive me? Is there still a chance for us?”
He leaned down to the side of her face, kissed her cheek and placed her hands over his heart, whispering, “You’ve been in here since we were teenagers. One kiss from your ex is not going to get you out of it overnight.”
Alexandra pulled her hands free and reached them around his chest, burying her head into the crook of his neck for a while before she spoke. “I’m so glad to hear that.”
