Page 69 of Enemies to French Kisses
“I’ll stay until they release you.”
“No.”
“I’m not leaving you alone.”
I point to the window, where five faces are wide-eyed and bushy-tailed. “I’m not alone. And you need to go.” I fold my hands in my lap and look at them, anything to avoid seeing the anguish in his eyes again.
“Laura…”
I don’t reply.
“Okay,” he says, backing away. “Okay.”
I don’t look up until I hear the pitter patter of Texan feet surrounding my bed. “Is he gone?”
Annelise snarls, “With his tail between his legs.”
“No, he’s still at the window.” Chrissy points.
There he is, half his face peeking through the glass until we all turn our heads to look at him and then he disappears from view altogether.
I let my head fall against the pillow. “This is the worst.”
Natalie brushes the hair out of my face. “Are you going to tell us what happened?”
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” Gina says.
“Except you do.” Annelise hasn’t changed. When the girls glare at her, she acts surprised. “What? Like we’d actually let her off the hook. Allergic reaction or not, girlfriend just lived through some stuff, and we’re not Sage girls if we aren’t here for it all.”
Chrissy points a thumb at Annelise. “She’s not wrong.”
“Can I at least get out of this hospital now?”
Natalie finds Dr. McSuspicious who raises yet another eyebrow when Natalie asks if they can take me home. I am so not in the mood for his moods. But he just nods to Natalie before giving me one last semi-stink eye.
While the undie-less freedom of the hospital gown was liberating, I’m grateful that Nat brought me a change of clothes. Going home in that several-thousand dollar dress did not sound like fun.
“Ugh, I still have the dress,” I whine as we leave the hospital.
“I think it’s your dues,” Jessica carries the garment bag like it’s breakable. “He owes you at least a little something after you took care of him for a week.”
“And are you sure he’s all better?” Gina whispers. “What if he relapses and thinks you’re married again?”
“He always knew we weren’t married.” The girls all stop on a dime, which I don’t notice until I’m a few paces ahead. “What are you waiting for?”
“Heknew?” Natalie’s jaw drops.
“Mmhmm.”
“Wait,” Gina scrunches her face, “he knew the whole time?”
“Pretty much. He said he was confused, but who knows how long that was for.”
“It’s worse than I thought.” Jessica shakes her head. “He’s in love with you.”
“Well, you can stopthatline of thought right there.” I pick up my pace again. “In love with me? That’s the most inane ridiculous dollop of dung I have ever heard.”
“He absolutely is.” Annelise stands with Jess. “It’s classic.”
