Page 62 of The Photograph

Fumbling around my bedside table, I groan as I catch the noisy culprit. “Hello?”

“Angel?”

Tears pool behind my eyes at the sound of her voice, and I sit up against my pillows.

“Oh, my Cara. How are you? I—”

“Aelin what’s wrong? I have tons of messages from the hospital. Were you in an accident? How bad is it? Angel…”

When my sister’s voice breaks, I press my cell to my ear. “I’m okay, my Cara. Please… Don’t cry. I’m fine. Dr Nareen did the surgery and I’m fine.”

Her breath catches. “Dr Nareen? Your doctor Nareen?”

Before I can answer, Cara says, “That kind of surgery. Oh, angel… What happened? Are you—”

I wince a little. “I’ll tell you everything when you come home. There’s no need to rush here.”

“I’m booked on the next plane. I’ll be home tomorrow.”

I shuffle against my pillows. “Isn’t it the promo tour when you put your name out there?”That was the plan.“I’m fine, I promise, I’ll—”

“Angel, if you were me would you stay?”

Haven’t I disrupted your life enough?

“No. no, I wouldn’t but—”

“I’ve officially graduated yesterday. Angel, I’m coming home tomorrow.”

Please, don’t let my stupidity spoil this for you.

Her voice softens. “Aelin, stop. I know exactly what you’re thinking. So, stop it. I love you and I need to be with you, so I’m coming home.”

The truth is I need her here. I need her again. “I won’t be able to pick you up, but—”

“Go rest, angel, I’ll text you my flight details. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

After a scalding shower, I move carefully through my day, cleaning and organizing Cara’s return. I have to wait a little longer before being able to carry heavy items, so I cover the boxes with colorful throws and close the door of the library-living room. I want to call Emma, but the day gets away from me until it’s 11:00 PM, and I crash in bed.

I wake up, blink the haze out of my head, and hold my breath. Someone’s in the house. I check the time, it’s 4:00 AM then I remember and grin. Cara’s flight landed an hour or so ago.She’s home. My Cara’s home.I jump off my new bed and wince at the pinch in my lower belly. I rub the discomfort away, grab my bathrobe and tiptoe to the kitchen where Cara, her back to me, seems to be lost in the fridge. My heart beating fast, I curl my fingers, itching to grab her. I edge closer and stop two steps behind her.

“My Cara, you’re home.”

She unbends slowly and my chest tightens at her trembling sigh.

I pad closer. “I’m not broken, you can look.”

She spins around and my heart twitches at the fear in her eyes. “Angel.”

Within seconds, we’re in each other’s arms crying. She pulls back while her frowning gaze sweeps over me.

“Oh, shit. Am I hurting you?”

Shaking my head, I mumble something and wrap my arms around her. Tight. When I’m completely sure she’s here with me, I lean back, kiss her wet cheeks, and touch my forehead to hers. “Sit down, you’ve been traveling for a day, let me take care of you.”

As my beautifully tanned sister settles on the other side of the counter, I grab ingredients from the fridge, and I can feel her eyes burning in my back.

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