Page 18 of Love You, Mean It

“Okay. Heard. But…what do Ido,Bella? Once he realizes we’re not together, he’ll probably make it his life’s work to shut down the deli just out of resentment toward the plebe who somehow caused the ceiling to fall in on him and then lied about being his fiancée.”

“Ellie, Theo’s not some comic book villain. You can explain that it was an impulse decision. You wanted to make sure he was okay!” Bella had one of those pitifully hopeful pained smiles on her face that practically screamed “You’re fucked.”

“And then, best-case scenario, I’m back where I started. Which, in case you forgot, is on the precipice of losing the deli forever. The one place Dad still feels real to me.” I paused to blink aggressively.Even putting it into words felt like someone shredding my chest with a rusty hacksaw. Bella laid a hand on my shoulder.

“It hasn’t happened yet, okay? There might still be a way to save it.”

“Sure.” I didn’t need to tell her it was a lie, we both knew it.

I was sorrow-munching my way through another slice when my phone lit up.

“Little Lord…” Bella frowned, then rolled her eyes. “I think Theo’s calling.”

“Fuck. Okay.” Reluctantly I picked up, bracing myself as though he could reach through and slap me a return concussion.

“Ellie? Please say it’s you, if the nurses dial Sam for a third time I’m going to lose my shit.”

“No, it’s me,” I said with a weak laugh. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine. Even the headache’s mostly gone.”

“Does that mean your memory’s back?” I tensed preemptively.Here it comes…

“Well…no, actually.” The frustration in Theo’s exhale was palpable. “Which is why they’re forcing me to stay overnight. But the nursepromisedI’d be out by tomorrow at noon.” Theo’s man-used-to-lackeys-doing-his-bidding tone told me he was fixing some poor nurse with anor elsestare. “Could you pick me up then? If it’s not too much trouble, that is.”

I squeezed my forehead tightly between my thumb and forefinger, sighing. I’d hoped I’d have aslightlylonger reprieve.

“I can make that work. Hazel’s been looking for more hours, she can probably cover at the deli.”

“Thank you. The nurse won’t let me leave on my own, and the only other person I’m sure could do it is…”

“Don’t worry, I won’t make you endure your dad in your fragile state,” I quipped, somehow certain that’s who he was referring to. His relieved laugh told me I was right.

“If I didn’t already love you, I would now,” he said, then paused uncomfortably. “I mean…Well, I’m assuming…Anyway, thanks.It means a lot.” There was a scraping sound, then muffled conversation. “Okay, the nurse is trying to enforce her fascist sleep regimen again. See you tomorrow?”

“I’ll be there,” I said, dread oozing through my entire chest cavity as I hung up. Bella filled my wine glass, handed it to me, and squeezed my shoulder.

“It’ll be better to just get it over with.”

“Sorry, not buying it.”

“Well, then, it’s better than the alternative.” I glanced up, eyebrow raised incredulously. A mischievous smirk tweaked Bella’s full lips. “Didn’t I ever tell you? Theo’s a very…physicalperson.”

“Wow, ew. Did I do something to piss you off?”

“Not yet. But if you do, Iwillgo into more detail. Now, do you want me to tell you his order at Dottie’s, or are you planning to go in empty-handed?”

“Remember, no screen time until this time tomorrow at theearliest. We’re only letting you out this early because you’re a good test taker.” The red-haired nurse flashed a stern look at Theo. I had a sense they’d already waged this battle.

“Yes, I know. Talk to text only.”

“I’m serious. You don’t want to exacerbate your symptoms.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got his laptop,” I said. He glared at me, but the nurse seemed appeased.

“Alright, then you’ll sign your discharge paperwork, the doctor will stop by for one last look, and you’ll be free to go. But I expect you to come back if your symptoms worsen, deal?”

“Yes, yes, we’ve been over this.” He gestured impatiently at her to bring him the papers. With a sniff, she dropped them on his tray and walked out, leaving us alone.

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