Page 3 of Revival

“Thank you,” I say softly. “What about you? Any kids?”

“No. Nobody to make them with.”

“No wife?”

He shakes his head.

“I find that hard to believe.”

He hums from deep in his throat, and with his eyes still closed, he appears to have fallen asleep before he can get his next question out.

“Are you okay?” I ask quietly, not sure if I want him to wake up and deliver an answer.

“No.”

At the heartbreaking confession, I clench my hand into a fist, only then realizing it’s still wrapped tight in his. “You will be.” I fill my voice with conviction. If anyone can get through this, whatever this is, it’s Spencer Stone.

He doesn’t answer.

I should let him rest. The longer I stand here, the longer it feels like a betrayal to my fiancé back home. Even though nothing has happened. The feelings Spencer brings to the surface are enough to envelop me in guilt.

“You’ll get through this,” I murmur, leaning over the bedrail to place a firm kiss on the side of his head. The feel of his dark hair brushing my cheeks sends a wave of emotion through me. A well of tears crests along my lower lids, signaling the end of our visit.

With one last heartbreaking look at his sleeping form, I rush from the room.

* * *

“You’re awake.”

He drinks me in. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Why not?”

“It’s a long drive from home.”

“I have audiobooks.” I roll my eyes and settle in the chair beside his bed.

“Don’t tell me you’re into those romance novels.” He raises a challenging brow.

“What if I am?” I uncross and cross my legs to distract myself from the flush creeping up my neck beneath this paper gown.

“Nothing wrong with liking what you like.” He snaps his gaze back to my face as old, teasing habits vanish into plumes of smoke around us.

“Oh.” His lack of sarcasm is startling. “That’s true. I have a book club back in Fairview Valley with my brothers’ wives.”

“Which brothers?”

“All of them.”

“They’reallmarried?”

A soft smile graces my face at the discussion of my brothers. “Aiden and Isla are only engaged, but their relationship is as solid as the others. They’re about to have a baby soon. If you stick around, you might find yourself invited to the wedding.”

“Give my invite to my brothers, and we’ll see.”

“Have you considered it?” I pick at my cuticle through my glove. “Sticking around?”

He gives a noncommittal shrug. “I haven’t really thought about it.”

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