Page 26 of Loving You Always

“Um, yeah.” Something in Meredith’s tone was more reserved and less approving than he had ever heard. “I just thought you’d want to know.”

“You thought I’d want to know? That’s an understatement. I’ve been camped out here for a week waiting for this.”

“Yeah, about that. Can I ask you something?”

Walsh paused in packing up his laptop and files.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“Cam said something today that kind of threw me for a loop. He asked me how I’d feel if I walked in on my husband and best friend down each other’s throats.”

“Do you have something to ask me, Meredith?”

“I think I just did.”

“Ask me a direct question and I’ll give you a direct answer.”

“Did you and Kerris have an affair?”

“No, we didn’t, but we kissed, and Cam walked in on it. I’m on my way to see her. Any other questions?”

“I wish I hadn’t even called you. This is awful. No wonder Cam is bitter.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say.” Walsh’s words scissored into hers. “I can’t undo what happened.”

“Walsh, maybe you should just—”

“I’ll be back in New York soon, and everyone will be happy.”

Walsh wasn’t sure if either of them believed the words, but that was where he left it.

Once at the hospital, Walsh eased the door open, holding his breath and stepping quietly into the room. Meredith’s warning still rang in his head. It would be best for him and Cam not to run into each other. He just hoped Kerris would wake up before he needed to leave.

He settled down in the hard plastic chair, his eyes never leaving the small, embattled figure so still against the sheets. The facial scratches and scrapes, though still evident, were healing, and the bruising wasn’t as prominent.

“Walsh.” Kerris mumbled his name, twisting her head a little fitfully on the pillow.

Shocked by what he’d just heard, Walsh leaned forward, reaching for her hand, squeezing gently.

“Hey, sweetheart.” He met her dazed eyes with a smile. “I’m here.”

“Walsh?” Kerris’s frown pulled at the scratches on her forehead. “What are you…are you…”

“You were asleep and called my name.” He hoped he’d disguised how much satisfaction that brought him. “Is it okay that I’m here?”

Her eyes drifted over his shoulder to the open door, returning back to his watchful stare.

“Cam knows I’m here.” Walsh answered her silent question, continuing when she raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Well, kind of. We had our run-in before you gained consciousness. He knows I’m in town and not leaving until you’re out of the woods.”

She shot him a look sprinkled with reproach.

“What?” He released the hand he was still holding, leaning back to settle in the chair. “What do you expect me to do?”

“Act normal?” Her smile was as teasing and affectionate as he could expect considering she was wired up à la Frankenstein.

“Normal’s never worked for me.”

He held her smile for as long as he could before sobering. She had provided the appropriate responses, but something was missing. A spark. A vibrancy. And it wasn’t just the plastered arm and leg and wrapped ribs. There was something…vacant in her eyes. Then he remembered. He stroked her hand and touched the wooden bracelet Iyani had given her. The one that matched his own.

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