Page 57 of Summer Affair

Dean sat by her side, holding her hand while she slept, determined to be there for her in every way possible.

A few hours later, Andrea’s mother finally showed up. She waltzed into the room as if she hadn’t been in any hurry. She was dressed in a very expensive evening gown and had a look on her face as if she was annoyed that her evening had been interrupted. She glanced around the sterile room, clearly unimpressed at it or that her daughter wasn’t dying on the table.

Andrea was awake and sitting up, sipping some hot tea and trying to eat the soup and Jell-O the nurse had brought her a few moments before.

“What’s all this drama over?” Alicia asked.

“Hello, Mother,” Andrea said as she set down her drink.

Her mother’s eyes narrowed as she glanced at him. He felt his entire body vibrate with anger at the apparent distaste the woman showed her daughter.

“I had to miss an important dinner event for this,” she announced, as if Andrea had personally inconvenienced her. “Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with you, is there?” She arched her brow. “You look perfectly fine.”

Andrea took a deep breath. She reached over and took his hand, her grip tightening to stop him from standing up.

“I’m feeling much better now. The doctor assures me that I just need some rest now.”

Her mother huffed and crossed her arms in response.

“Well, I hope you realize the trouble you’ve caused me. Missing out on tonight’s event is a big deal for me, a potential financial catastrophe, Andrea,” she added. “Who’s this?” She motioned with her chin.

“Dean Wallis,” Andrea said. “He’s…”

“I don’t care,” Alicia interrupted. “One of your many toys that will no doubt be gone soon enough.” She waved her hand.

Alicia Berman was one of the top real estate agents in the Destin area. She only took clients who had multi-million dollar homes or properties, which meant that she wasn’t always busy, but she made more money during one sale than most did in a year.

He clenched his jaw, struggling to keep his composure. He wanted to tell her mother the truth, to make her understand the gravity of what Andrea had just gone through, but Andrea squeezed his hand again, a silent plea for him to stay quiet.

“Sorry, Mom, I didn’t mean for anyone to worry you,” Andrea said, her voice calm and controlled. “I’ll be fine. You can go back to your event.”

With a final disapproving look aimed at him, her mother left the room. Dean let out a frustrated sigh as he glanced to Andrea. “Why didn’t you tell her? She needs to know what you’re going through.”

Andrea shook her head, her eyes weary. “It’s none of her business. I’ll handle it on my own.” She pushed the tray away and shifted with a groan. “I’m too tired to eat anything more.”

Dean’s heart ached for her, but he nodded, respecting her decision. “All right. But you don’t have to handle it alone, okay? I’m here for you.”

Andrea managed a small smile. “I know,” she said before closing her eyes again.

He was kicked out of her room shortly after dark. He didn’t get much sleep after returning home and was back at the hospital just as the sun was rising. He sat next to her and ate a breakfast sandwich that he’d gotten in the lobby cafeteria and sipped his coffee while he waited for Andrea to wake up.

Just as Andrea’s breakfast was arriving, Amy burst into the room.

“Morning,” Amy said cheerfully. “I can’t believe you’re still here.” She sat on Andrea’s bed like her sister was just having a sleepover.

“Yup, they’ll let me go home later today,” Andrea said, glancing at him. He instantly understood she didn’t want her sister to know what had happened either.

It was strange that neither of her family members asked or even seemed to care.

Then Amy’s face lit up with excitement.

“Guess what? Brad and I are back together for real this time!” Amy clapped her hands and bounced slightly on the bed. He saw Andrea wince at the motion.

“That’s…good.” She sighed.

“I know that this time it’s forever. He’s promised to stop—”Amy glanced briefly at him, before finishing. “To stop working so much. Because”—she took a deep breath—“I’m pregnant!” She practically shouted it.

Dean’s heart clenched at the news, and he wanted to stand up, yank Amy’s arm, and pull her out of the room to berate her. Instead, he clenched his jaw and glared at the back of her head.