Chapter 56
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Eloise
I moan as I try to open my eyes. “I think I had too many tequila shots.”
A burst of light laughter greets me, along with a woman’s voice. “I’ll get Dr. Morgan.”
“Gaines,” I whisper, a lightness warming me from the inside out. “Yes, please.”
I crack one eyelid open and try to focus on my surroundings. Since I can’t, I force the other open, but this can’t be right. This isn’t my bedroom.
“Lamb.” His voice comforts me instantly. “I’m right here.”
“You’re here, but where am I?” I ask softly, still trying to gain a clear focus.
“The hospital,” he whispers, kissing my head.
“Give me room, Morgan.” Another man’s voice comes at me. “I want to check her vitals.”
Gaines steps back slightly. “My friend, Jordan, is going to take a look at you.”
“Don’t go,” I plead with him as I close my eyes again. “Please, Garin.”
“Garin?” The other man questions. “She’s experiencing some confusion.”
“She’s not,” Gaines tells him. “She calls me that sometimes.”
“And, sir,” I say. “Oh, wait. That’s a secret.”
Both men laugh.
I feel hands touching me and hear a steady beeping.
“Eloise?” The man named Jordan says my name. “I need you to try and squeeze my fingers.”
I do it with my left hand and then my right.
“Can you open your eyes?”
I do it again, and this time, I can see. The doctor shines a light in my eyes before his index finger pops in the air. “Follow my finger.”
I do just that.
“You’re a very lucky young lady,” he tells me. “You’re going to be just fine.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, still not sure why I’m here.
Gaines steps back in place beside me. His jaw is covered with a light beard, and his hair is messy. He’s so handsome that I think I might pass out.
Maybe that’s what happened to me?
“Did I faint?” I ask him.
“Something like that.” He kisses my forehead again. “You fell down a few steps on your way to the subway.”
“That’s not good.”
“You hit your head.” He smiles. “It’s bandaged up again.”
“It’s karma.” I attempt a smile. “My head fell on that fake diamond bracelet again, didn’t it? I stole it from your apartment.”
He laughs. “You can’t steal something that belongs to you, lamb. It’s not fake, though.”
“It is.” I nod. “My friend in Buffalo bought it for ten dollars at a thrift store.”
“I bought the bracelet you were wearing at a jeweler in SoHo for a lot more than ten bucks.”
Frantic, I try to reach for my left arm, but I’m attached to so many wires that I can’t move. “Did I lose it?”
“No.” His voice is comforting. “I have it, but diamond bracelets might not be your thing.”
I smile. “My forehead agrees with you.”
“We can trade it for a ring.”
I stare at his face. “A ring?”
“I love you, Eloise.” I hear a tremor in his voice as his eyes tear up. “I’m so fucking sorry that I didn’t know how to do that properly. I had things to tell you, and instead of manning up and doing that, I hid.”
“You love me?”
“I’ve loved you since you sat down next to me at the club, Loretta Lamb.”
“For that long?”
“Yes,” he says in a tender tone. “I’ve never been in love before, so I fucked up along the way, but I’m here for the long haul if you’ll have me.”
“I’ll have you,” I say eagerly. “Will I be here for the long haul? I know your friend said I’d be fine, but I don’t always feel great. Maybe you can check on my heart.”
“We have.” He kisses my lips softly. “You’ll need more tests, but we suspect you may have something called CPVT. The condition causes the heart to beat irregularly sometimes.”
“It’s treatable, though?”
He trails a finger over my collarbone. “If you do have it, you’ll need to get a device implanted that will regulate your heartbeat.”
“A device?” I stare at his lips before my gaze moves to his eyes. “Like Dax has?”
He nods. “Your father has it, too. He was diagnosed with CPVT before you were born. He told me today. Back then, his doctor didn’t mention that it’s inherited.”
“I had no idea.”
“He’ll explain it to you,” he assures me. “Once you’re stronger.”
“When can I go home?”
“Never.”
My eyes widen. “What?”
“I want you to move in with me,” he tells me. “The extra bedroom can be your studio. Or if you like, I’ll move in with you, but…”
“No,” I interrupt him. “I want to move to your apartment. You have that claw foot tub and that big bed.”
“We’ll handle all of that before you’re discharged.”
I tap my hand on the bed. “Hold my hand, Gaines.”
He does as asked, scooping mine into his. He leans down to press his lips to my wrist.
“I love you too,” I whisper. “I fell in love with you when you told me your name was Garin.”
“You’ll marry me one day.” He smiles softly. “It doesn’t have to be soon, but one day, lamb. One day.”
“One day soon.” I bite my bottom lip. “I’ll marry you.”
“Will it be my turn to talk to her soon?”
I sob when I hear the voice calling out from the doorway. “Is that Lynton?”
“He’s here.” Gaines stands straighter. “He’s a great guy.”
“He’s my best friend.” I smile. “Don’t tell Pen that.”
“It’s our secret, my sweet Eloise.” He kisses me softly on the mouth. “There is a long line of people waiting to see you. I’ll give them each a couple of minutes, and then I’ll be back to move you up to CCU.”
“Okay,” I agree with a slight nod of my chin. “I feel like a storybook character. I woke up from my dream to find the love of my life waiting for me.”
“You’re the love of my life, too.” He smiles gently. “This life and every life beyond.”
“You’re quoting Garin again.”
“No,” he corrects me. “That one is all me, my love.”