Page 85 of Say You Remember Me
“So...he’s actually going to be okay?” My breath caught as the first sliver of hope slipped into my chest.
“He’s doing well,” Easton said, his voice steady but full of emotion.
Relief flooded me then, and I couldn’t stop the tears as they spilled down my cheeks. Without thinking, I threw my arms around my siblings, and then a few seconds later, Lexi and Easton’s spouses, Noah and Juliette, both joined us, their support wrapping around me like a blanket.
We stood there for a while, holding on to each other, letting the fear of the last few hours drain away.
“Ah, I can’t tell you how relieved I am,” I told my family when we finally pulled apart, wiping my eyes and chuckling quietly. “That was seriously the longest drive of my life.”
“I know,” Lexi said, removing the glasses from her face to dab at her eyes with a tissue. “I was panicking, too.”
We all looked at each other again, seeming to feel the same relief as each other. There was a small movement behind me, and then I remembered Ian was watching all of us.
And when I noticed everyone’s gaze flicking toward Ian, who looked a little out of place but still calm and composed, I stepped back to his side, saying, “I guess you guys are all probably curious who I came here with. But, uh, this is Ian Hastings.” I cleared my throat. “He’s my boss.”
“Your boss?” Lexi’s eyebrows shot up. Her gaze flickered between Ian and me, probably remembering the story of how I’d accidentally kissed him at the club and the few details I’d texted her about our “engagement” story from the weekend.
Before she could say anything else, Ian stepped forward, extending his hand to Easton. “Nice to meet you all. I know it’s probably weird for a boss to tag along for something like this, but we were at a conference together. And when Maddie got the call about your dad, I wanted to make sure she got here safely.”
“We appreciate that,” Easton said, his tone polite but with the protective edge of a younger brother sizing someone up. “Leaving your conference early to bring Maddie here.”
“I’m glad I could do it,” Ian replied, sounding sincere.
Noah stepped forward next. “Good to meet you,” he said, his tall frame matching Ian’s as they exchanged firm handshakes.
“You too,” Ian said, his tone relaxed, though I could sense he was still a bit out of his element.
Juliette smiled as she introduced herself as my sister-in-law, the easy warmth in her voice helping to ease the tension. “Thanks for looking out for Maddie.”
“Of course,” Ian said, returning her smile. Then, glancing at me, his expression softened as he added, “She’s been through so much lately. I just wanted to make sure she didn’t have to face this alone, too.”
The words were simple, but they hit me with an unexpected force. He didn’t want me to have to do this on my own.
He wanted to be there for me.
I couldn’t remember the last time someone who wasn’t related to me had chosen to be there for me—without obligation, without being asked, without hesitation.
And it wasn’t just that Ian had offered; he’d rearranged his life, canceled important plans, and dropped everything to make sure I wasn’t alone in one of the scariest moments of my life.
That kind of care, that kind of selflessness...it was almost overwhelming. It made me feel seen in a way I hadn’t felt in years, maybe ever.
And it terrified me, because I wasn’t sure what to do with it—or what it might mean.
What I wanted it to mean, even though I’d been so sure this morning that I needed to forget all the feelings I’d been growing for Ian so I could focus on just doing well at my job and building a good life for Grant and me.
Ugh, there was so much going on right now. So many ideas bouncing around in my head. I just…I wasn’t sure I even had the bandwidth to sift through everything that was happening right now.
We all moved back to the corner where I’d first found my siblings, sinking into the mauve chairs as the conversation shifted to lighter topics.
A nurse in scrubs approached us a little while later, her clipboard in hand. “Your father’s awake,” she said, her voice kind. “You can go see him now.”
So my siblings and I filed into his room, leaving Ian and the in-laws in the waiting room.
“What are you all doing here?” Dad asked when he saw us, looking pale but alert, his tired smile tugging at my heart. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” Lexi said gently, taking his hand. “You had a heart attack, Dad.”
“I know.” His eyes softened, and his voice was hoarse as he muttered, “Didn’t mean to scare you all.”
