Page 130 of Falling Into Forever
I stand immobile at the foot of his bed as a nurse shuffles around him.
“Talk to him, dear. Let him know you’re here. Give him something to reach for.”
“Reach for?” My voice cracks for the first time since I was plucked from the graveyard.
“Those doctors all have their stuff to say, and they’re not wrong, but I’ve been doing this a long time. Thirty-three years, to be exact, and I’ve seen some stuff in my day that even the most skilled surgeon couldn’t explain.”
“You think he needs a miracle?” I’m going to break down in front of this stranger.
“I think he needs you. Come on. I’ll get you set up. I’m Alice, by the way.” She leads me to a recliner near the head of the bed. “You must have some heavy pull around here. I haven’t seen anyone move this fast since the president landed here fifteen years ago. They didn’t even move this fast for an honest-to-goodness prince.”
She keeps talking, but I only hear half of it.
“What’s your name, hon?”
“Saylor.” I don’t recognize my voice. It’s hollow and flat.
“Take a seat and get comfortable. I’ll bring you some ginger ale, crackers, and a warm blanket.” Alice places a hand over mine. “Talk to him, Saylor. I believe in my heart that he can hear you. He’s strong, and he’s young. Let him hear you, and tell him you’re waiting for him. Love is the best medicine, after all.”
Her brown eyes smile down at me. They’re the kind of eyes that are always smiling too. The wrinkles that line her face show years of happiness.
“But what do I say?” Another wall falls with the next tear.
“Tell him a story. One where the boy gets the girl in the end, and they live happily ever after.”
Tell him a story.
Tell him a story.
So I do. I start with the first time we officially met in speech and debate class. I’d been successfully avoiding him for weeks because anyone that pretty was not to be trusted.
Mr. Henderson calls off two more names, and my armpits start to sweat. Not the cute-girl-in-yoga-class kind of sweat, but the weird-kid-on-the-wrestling-team-who-walks-around-wearing-plastic-bags-so-he-makes-the-lower-weight-class kind of sweat.
I’m drenched.
Two more names.
There are four of us left. No. No. No. Mr. Henderson, do not do this to me.
“Julia and Cassie. Okay. That’s it. These will be your partners all semester…”
“What about us?” The new kid and I say at the same time.
He sounds calm and relaxed, while I sound like a chicken about to have her head cut off.
Mr. Henderson pinches the bridge of his nose like he always does when he has to deal with me. Every time I enter his classroom, he hopes I’m Ainsley.
“I would have thought that obvious, Miss Greer.” Despite new kid and me both asking the question, I’m the one he answers. “There are two of you left. Meet your partner, Miss Greer. I’m sure Mr. Thompson will handle the course load just fine.”
“Mr. Thompson?” My voice is pinched. Great. Now I’m getting sick on top of everything else.
“Dante.” A rich, husky voice tickles the hair at the base of my neck. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Saylor.”
“Actually it’s, Sass…” My name dies on my lips as I spin to answer and run right into him. He has the bluest blue eyes I’ve ever seen, and they dance with stories and trouble I want to fall into. I forget how to speak.
This is why I’ve avoided him. This is why I run in the opposite direction every single time he comes near.
Dante Thompson is the only person in the world who can leave me speechless.
