Page 74 of Icebound Hearts

Will smirks slightly. “If you’d asked me a few months ago, I’d have guessed anywhere but here.”

I let out a dry laugh. “Yeah, well. A lot has changed.” Will’s smirk fades into something softer. “Yeah. It has.”

Silence stretches between us, comfortable but heavy. Finally, Will sighs, pushing himself up. “I’m going to check on Sophia. Maria’s with her now, but she’ll want an update.”

I nod. “Tell her I’ll come by soon.”

Will hesitates for a second, then nods and slips out of the room, leaving me alone with Aiden again.

I exhale, shifting in my chair, adjusting the blanket I threw over him earlier.

His fingers twitch and my heart leaps into my throat. “Aiden?”

His eyelids flutter, his brow pinching slightly before his eyes slowly open, unfocused and hazy.

“Angel Face?” His voice is hoarse, barely above a whisper.

I bite my lip, relief crashing over me. “Yeah. I’m here.”

Aiden blinks up at me, confusion flickering across his features as he takes in his surroundings. “Hospital?”

I nod, squeezing his hand. “You just had surgery, remember?” His eyes close for a second before he groans, shifting slightly.

“Feels like I got hit by a truck.”

I roll my eyes, biting back a smile. “That’s because you decided to donate part of your actual body, of course you’ll feel like shit.”

He smirks weakly. “Flattering, Goldie.”

I huff, but my chest is tight, my heart still hammering in my ribs. “You scared me, you know.”

Aiden’s smirk falters. He studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before his fingers squeeze mine lightly. “I’m okay.”

I shake my head, my throat burning. “I was terrified of something happening to you.”

His eyes soften. “It’s Sophia.” I sigh, pressing my forehead against our joined hands.

“You’re impossible.” I mutter, caressing his jaw, as I gaze at his eyes.

Aiden chuckles weakly. “And yet, you love me.” My breath catches.

I freeze.

Aiden’s smirk is still in place, but there’s something real behind his words, something raw and unguarded. Something that terrifies me. I don’t say anything.

I can’t.

Because I don’t know what to say, but Aiden just watches me, his fingers tracing slow, lazy circles against my skin, like he’s waiting for me to catch up.

Like he already knows.

I swallow hard, glancing toward the door. “Will went to check on Sophia. I should—”

Aiden’s grip tightens. “Stay.”

I inhale sharply, looking back at him.

His gaze is steady, unwavering, even as exhaustion weighs down his features.

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