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I drift further into a deep sleep, and when I hear a mumble, I almost think it’s in my head until I feel him stir.
I lift my head quickly, and the drowsiness from a mere second ago quickly disappears. I almost choke on my own breath as his eyes gradually flutter open. Right away, he squeezes them shut again. Because after a few days of sleep, I’m sure the bright, sunny room is a lot to take in.
Reaching for his face, I brush my hand against his cheek. The stubble he normally has is longer than I’ve ever seen it. And as I wait for him to fully wake up, tears gather in my eyes and soak my lashes.
“Hudson,” I whisper, “wake up.”
For a few minutes, he seems to drift somewhere between being awake and falling asleep. But finally, his eyes open to slits, and he looks around until his sleepy gaze lands on me.
“Hi,” I say, fighting back a sob and failing miserably, never being so happy for someone to open their damn eyes.
“Hi, Dove.” His voice is gruff and raspy. I can tell he’s tired and weak, but still, he gives me the smallest grin. “Nice to see ya.”
Through my weeping, I choke out a strangled chuckle, shaking my head at him. “You asshole. You scared me.”
“Sorry about that,” he says. “Guess you know by now, I’m not Hudson Hercules, Mafia bodyguard.”
“I do. But I’m not sure your real job is any less scary,” I whisper, brushing his hair away from his forehead. “Why couldn’t you just be an accountant or something?”
“What fun would that be?” he utters, giving me a playful, lopsided grin.
“Well, Agent Hale, I think we’ve had enough fun for one lifetime, right?” I lean into him, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Boring sounds pretty good right about now.” I raise an eyebrow. “Maybe a beach vacation where we do tourist attractions and ride those corny bikes into town for ice cream?” I shrug. “We could get really crazy and rent Jet Skis.”
“Now, you’re talking.” He reaches for me, cupping my cheek and sliding his hand into my hair. “Wherever you go, I go, Dove.” His eyes roam my face. “Boring or not, Count me in.”
At his words, I become an even bigger blubbering mess. For the past few days, I’ve wondered if he’d ever open his eyes again. Ever talk. Ever call me Dove. I was terrified his heart would stop beating and I’d never get the chance to tell him how I feel.
“Do you mean that?” I whimper. “I know I’m not … who you want. And I wish more than anything I could turn back time and bring you your wife and baby girl. I’d give anything to do that for you.” I sniffle. “But, Hudson, I … I love you. And I promise, boring or crazy, count me in too.” I cringe. “Although I’m not going to lie, I’d love to just move you into a nursing home now and make you live the safest, most boring life. Just to keep you here longer.”
“Hey, I’m not that much older than you.” His expression changes, and I can feel my cheeks begin to burn. “Did you just tell me you love me?”
“I mean … maybe. So what?” I bite my bottom lip, then quickly pull away and stand. “Oh my gosh! Your mom! She needs to know you’re awake!”
“My mom’s here?” He turns toward the window. “And where the fuck am I?”
“Still in Italy. And, yes, she is.” I quickly rush toward and out the door before wrapping my hand on the doorframe and peeking back in at him. “I love you. Don’t move a muscle. And do not go back into a coma. I’ll be back in, like … three minutes, tops.” I point my finger toward him. “Don’t get any ideas on trying to get up either. You have something attached to you that’s probably going to hurt, coming out.”
His eyes grow wide, and he picks the blanket up and looks down at his body before shooting me a glare. “A fucking catheter? In my dick?”
I shrug my shoulders and pull my lips to the side. “It was that or piss the bed. And I’ll admit … that might have been a deal-breaker.” I scrunch my nose up. “I’ll be right back.”
“Hey, Dove,” he says, catching me before I bolt out to find his mom.
“Yeah?”
“I love you too.”
My heart does something it has never done before. It squeezes. And then it explodes. Finally, it feels like there are a thousand butterflies inside my chest, all fighting to get out. I’ve never really even dated anyone. Not seriously anyway. And I’ve certainly never felt like this.
This feeling makes it hard to think, let alone move. But on unsteady feet, I head out to find his mom.
Hudson Hale just told me he loves me.
He. Loves. Me. Back.
I move around, thankful as hell that I no longer have a catheter in because the thought alone makes me want to puke. The nurse washes her hands before heading toward the door.
“Is it okay if they come back in now?” she asks kindly. “Your mom and wife.”
