Page 203 of Surprisingly Us

“Rhys, are you okay?” she asks.

Of course she’s checking on me. She’s sitting here in a hospital bed with a concussion and she’s worried about me? I really don’t deserve her, but I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving to her that I’m the man she needs.

“When I got the call, I lost it. Yes, it reminded me of the accident and losing my parents, but more than that, it made me realize I hadn’t told you what you mean to me.” Emotion has me choking on the words, but I persevere. “I love you, Lettie. I’ve wanted to tell you but thought it was too soon. Now, I realize that was so fucking stupid. It’s never too soon to tell someone how you feel about them.”

Her smile brightens, but her eyes stay heavy.

“Are you going to remember this?”

“Of course. When the man I’ve fallen in love with tells me he feels the same way, it’s not something I’ll forget.”

“You love me?” I ask.

She nods, but then her lower lip starts to tremble.

“What is it, Princess?” I ask, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. A strand of dark hair that has something sticky and white in it.

“I never made it to your birthday party. And I dropped your cake.”

I don’t care about the first part, only that she’s okay. But the last part makes me smile. “You got me a cake?”

She nods. “It got ruined when I fell.”

I wipe a tear that has fallen down her cheek. “How did it happen?”

“A photographer was following me, taking photos, and asking me questions. I was trying to get away, but with the largecake box, I couldn’t see and I stepped off the curb too soon and nearly got hit by a biker. The biker swerved and didn’t hit me, but I tripped backwards and hit my head on the curb. And the cake went everywhere.” She picks up another sticky strand of hair. “It was a really good cake, too. It was Taylor Swift inspired, and pink with lots of edible glitter. The bakery was charging one hundred dollars for delivery, so I went to pick it up.”

Hearing what happened to Lettie, knowing a photographer was involved makes my stomach turn sour. And knowing I could have been there to prevent it has my adrenaline spiking. I can’t be mad at her, but beneath the surface of my skin, my blood is raging hot lava.

“Now’s maybe not the best time to address this so we’ll follow up later, but just so you’re aware, in the future, I’ll be covering all delivery fees. For anything you want, any time you want it.”

She nods in understanding.

After the nurse gives us an update on when Lettie can be discharged, Hannah sits with Lettie while Meredith leaves to get her some clothes to change into. All she has right now is a hospital gown and the dress she was wearing for my party.

“Where are you going?” Lettie asks.

“To get you some trail mix and then I’m going to track down and beat within an inch of his life the photographer who caused this.”

“Rhys!” she calls. “You can’t do that.”

I turn and give her a smile. “Kidding!” But I’m not.

I take a minute outside her room with Ramsey, who I’ve already tasked with hiring security and having him find out what photographer went after Lettie.

Lettie’s okay.

The physical response to the uncertainty of her condition has dissipated. I’ve held her in my arms and she is in all respects okay and going to heal. But there’s still unease in my gut. A knotof apprehension that didn’t lessen even after I had proof she wasn’t badly hurt.

I’m walking out to the waiting room when I spot Jerrod rushing toward me. His typically smug face is filled with concern. It’s almost shocking to see it there in regards to me.

He stops right in front of me, his stiff body language clear that he’s uncertain how to proceed. “I came as soon as I heard.”

I nod. “Thanks. Lettie’s resting. There was a possibility of concussion, but tests are negative so far.”

Jerrod nods slowly and looks away before settling his eyes back on mine.

“Listen, man, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

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