Page 199 of Grand Love

Open your eyes, Nina.

“Yeah, if you want your teeth to fall out! You need to try my pancakes. Game changer.” Warmth spreads through me at the sound of Lucy’s voice. It’s the best feeling.

“You wanna feed me pancakes, princess?”

Everything goes quiet. Then there’s the sound of creaking leather. Then silence. I frown, wondering what’s going on.

“Tastes good, doesn’t it?” Elliot’s voice is full of want, the throaty sound making my own stomach flip.

Slowly, my eyelids start to flutter. The room is a blur as it comes into focus, and I’m surprised when I realise I am partially sat up. I squint, trying to clear my vision. Lucy is standing in the corner, her back rested against the window. Elliot is standing in front of her.

I feel like a third wheel. “Hi,” I croak out, and my throat burns as I swallow.

Lucy flinches, rushing out from behind Elliot. “Nina! Oh my god, finally!” She drops her head to my shoulder, hugging me gently. “How are you feeling?”

For a minute I consider lying, but I know she’ll see right through it. “Crappy.”

Elliot hands me a cup of water. “Here.”

“Thank you,” I tell him, giving him a small smile.

“I’m going to get Mase,” he tells us, quickly leaving the room.

The hour that follows turns out to be more manic than I expect, and I’m surprised when I manage to stay awake for it. Lucy and Elliot left and then Megan and Charlie slipped in. Then George arrived with flowers from himself, his boyfriend, Liam, and Jasmine. As the time passes on, I can see Mason getting more and more agitated, and see him watching me, his face hardening at my every wince.

It’s as the room clears and he turns to me, ready to have some alone time together when my eyes fall heavy.

“Mase.”

“Shh,” he tells me, climbing onto the bed and resting my head on his chest. “Sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up, Angel.”

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