Page 6 of Revival

I blink against the harsh light as I come back to the present.

Probably not.

“I knew you’d do it.” His voice is so quiet I nearly miss it.

I lick my lips, startled by his quiet confirmation. “Yeah.”

“Proud of you.”

Heknows. He freaking knows what those words mean to me. “Thanks,” I say hoarsely.

“Made something good out of yourself.”

God, Spence. I blink harshly. “I did. My son was my biggest motivation. I mostly did it for him.”

The walker strikes the metal door plate running across the floor, and Spencer trips.

I act without thinking. I grip the belt around his waist in both hands and haul him up flush against my body. My heart races. Both from the near fall and his proximity. The hard planes of his torso press against mine, replacing old memories. He’s bigger now. Stronger. More rugged.

He grips my waist for support, steadying himself with our faces only inches apart.

Those blue eyes I used to lose myself in find mine, and he scans my face almost as if he’s trying to commit it to memory.

“Nothing wrong with chasing your dreams for yourself.” His deep voice sweeps across my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

“I—ah.” I shake my head, clearing away the foggy haze. “Are you all right?”

The walker clacks sharply against the floor as he straightens. My waist feels cold as his touch slips away to grip the handles. “I’m fine.”

I roll my shoulders to chase away the sudden chill. “You’re welcome.”

Spencer smirks and flicks his eyebrow high on his forehead. “Thanks.”

“You sure you’re okay? I didn’t bump your bandages or anything?”

I feel him rebuild the wall between us. “I feel great. Actually, I think I have it from here.”

“Are you sure?”

“Go on.” He jerks his head toward the elevator and lifts his hand in a wave. “My nurse is there. She’ll take over.”

Sure enough, the woman from earlier is wrapping up her conversation with her attention on us.

“I can stay. I don’t think it’s been half an hour yet.”

“You don’t want your man and your kid to worry about where you are. Get on back to your life, Cort. I’ll be okay.”

Something about the way he’s pushing me out the door feels final. I block his path and curl my fingers around the front of the walker.

“I’m not going to see you again, am I?”

He hangs his head, chin to his chest. “You might. We’ll just have to see where the wind takes us, won’t we?”

My lip twitches before giving up on a smile. “At least I get to say goodbye this time.”

“Cort, don’t.”

“It’s okay.” Emotion grips my throat. “I hope you’re well, Spencer. I’m glad you’re alive.”

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