Chapter 45
Collins
We waved at my mom as she pulled out of the driveway, Anna positioned in front of me in her wheelchair. The moment the car disappeared down the road, I let out a slow breath.
Finally, I thought—she’d stayed longer than usual.
But relief gave way to something softer, heavier. The guest room was empty again. And the idea of sleeping alone tonight already sat uncomfortably in my chest.
The last two nights with Anna had been the best of my life. Not in the way people usually mean when they say that—there had been no urgency, no crossing of lines we weren’t ready for. Just her warmth beside me. The way she fit against my chest. The quiet comfort of falling asleep.
Cuddling her had been more than enough.
Now I found myself wondering—half hopeful, half ridiculous—how I could possibly come up with an excuse to be with her again tonight.
After Mom left, I rolled Anna back inside and closed the door behind us. The house settled into a calm stillness. No staff today—domestic was off on Sundays—and I found myself grateful for the privacy, for the simple luxury of uninterrupted time with her.
“So,” she asked, her voice light as she looked up at me, “what are we planning for the rest of the day, since it’s just you and me?”
I didn’t answer right away.
Instead, I bent down and lifted her gently from the chair—one arm secure beneath her knees, the other wrapped firmly around her back.
She trusted me completely, her arms slipping around my neck as naturally as breathing.
I carried her to the lounge and sank into the soft couch, pulling her onto my lap, holding her close.
“Settle down with you,” I said honestly, resting my chin against her hair. “I just want to stay like this. With you. Right here in my arms.”
She relaxed against me, and I tightened my hold, as if I could anchor this moment in place.
“And kiss you,” I added quietly.
I leaned down, brushing my lips against hers—slow, unhurried, familiar. Just enough to make my heart thud harder in my chest.
She pulled back slightly, just far enough to look at me. Her eyes searched my face, warm and thoughtful.
“I know the guest room is empty again,” she said softly, “but I was thinking…why don’t you stay with me in the main bedroom tonight?”
“I really enjoyed cuddling up with you under the blankets,” she added, a shy smile tugging at her lips.
I don’t think I’d smiled that wide in years.
“I’d love that,” I said, without hesitation—without pretending I hadn’t been hoping she’d say it first.
Then something crossed my mind. “So…Michael was your first love, huh?” I asked, trying to keep my tone casual, but my curiosity was barely contained.
She raised an eyebrow. “How do you know that?”
“Your dad told me while you were in the hospital.”
“He did?”
I nodded. “Yep.”
“Well…yeah,” she said softly. “We dated in high school.”
My eyes widened. That long ago?
She chuckled, reading my expression. “No, it’s not like that. We also broke up in high school. We only reconnected years later, long after he graduated from law school and started at a new company.”
I leaned forward slightly. “Wait—when did he graduate from law school?”
“Four years ago,” she said. “We reconnected two years ago, through Instagram first. Then…we dated for four months until he proposed, and got married a year later. You obviously know what happened thereafter.”
I whistled under my breath. “Interesting.”
She shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips. “He told me he’d always thought of me. And since he was ready to settle down, I was the only woman who crossed his mind.”
I shook my head, feeling heat rising in my chest. “You don’t have to tell me more,” I said, trying to mask the rush of jealousy I didn’t quite hide.
“You’re the one who brought this up,” she teased, leaning closer.
“I know,” I muttered, my voice rougher than I intended, “but I don’t like where this is heading.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Someone getting jealous?”
“Of course I am.” I couldn’t resist it any longer—I leaned in and kissed her. Hard enough that there was no mistaking my claim. Pulling back just slightly, I whispered, “I don’t ever want to hear that man’s name again. This is where he ends…and where we begin.”
She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Bold statement.”
I smirked, feeling something finally settle between us—no past, no distractions, just us.
An hour later, the doorbell rang.
I eased Anna back onto the couch, making sure she was comfortable before heading for the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone, so when I opened it, surprise flickered through me.
Two familiar faces smiled back.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Collins,” the brunette said. “Not sure if you remember us. I’m Chloe, and this is Tatum—Anna’s friends.”
Recognition came instantly. “Of course. Come in.”
I closed the door behind them and led them down the hall. “She’s in the lounge.”
The moment Anna saw them, her face lit up in a way I hadn’t seen in days—pure, unguarded joy. Chloe hurried to her side, careful but emotional, while Tatum hovered close, already blinking back tears.
I lingered just long enough to make sure Anna was settled, then quietly slipped away. This was their time.
I retreated to the bedroom and closed the door, the soft murmur of laughter drifting through the house. I pulled out my phone and dialled Marlon.
He answered immediately. “Hey. So—how did the proposal go?”
“She said yes,” I said, unable to stop the smile in my voice.
A low whistle came through the line. “I knew it.”
“There’s something else,” I added, pacing slowly. “You mentioned once you have access to a helicopter.”
“Not mine—my granddad’s,” he said. “Why? Planning a dramatic exit?”
“Not dramatic,” I said. “Protective.”
He went quiet.
“I don’t want her leaving the venue in a car,” I continued. “The accident is still too close. I don’t want that memory tied to our wedding day.”
“Ah,” he said softly. “So—straight up instead of away.”
“Exactly.”
“That’s doable,” Marlon said without hesitation. “I’ll arrange it.”
Relief settled in my chest. “Thank you. I also need a proper pathway—wheelchair access everywhere. No last-minute adjustments.”
“You’re thinking like a man who’s already married,” he said with a chuckle.
“Feels that way.”
A pause. Then, more casually, “Are you going to ask her sister to plan the wedding?”
I smiled. “I had a feeling you’d suggest that.”
“Since I’ll be your best man,” Marlon went on, “she’ll probably end up as maid of honour. We’ll have to work together. A lot.”
There was a beat. “Could be…interesting, don’t you think?”
I huffed a quiet laugh. “I think you have a crush on Nancy.”
He didn’t rush to deny it. Didn’t joke it away either.
“I won’t pretend I don’t notice her,” he said carefully. “But it’s not like I’d ever pursue her.”
“Why not?” I asked. “Because she doesn’t speak?”
“That’s not…” He stopped himself, exhaling. “Maybe part of it. But mostly because I’ve already decided to marry Melissa.”
I frowned. “Seriously? You told me you don’t even know if you love her anymore.”
“Maybe I don’t,” he admitted. “But there’s still something there. History. Familiarity.” His voice hardened slightly, like he was trying to convince himself. “We’ll figure it out.”
“After she left you. Twice. What changed this time?”
“I don’t know,” he said after a pause. “Maybe she finally realized what we had was real. Maybe the other guy was just a phase.”
I let the silence stretch. “I’m not getting involved in that,” I said finally. “But I think you owe it to yourself to think this through.”
“Yeah,” he muttered. “I will.”
I glanced toward the lounge, where I could hear Anna laughing with her friends. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow. I should go check on my wife.”
There was a brief pause on the line.
“Your wife,” Marlon repeated slowly.
“Yes,” I said, smiling to myself. “My wife.”
“Well,” he said, amused, “I never thought I’d see this side of Dr. Collins.”
“Enjoy it while it lasts,” I replied dryly. “Chat tomorrow.”
I ended the call and slipped my phone into my pocket, already moving back toward Anna—toward the life I was choosing, without hesitation.