"Oh my God," I breathe out. "Thank God."
Zach pulls me into a half-hug, his arm slipping around my waist as if his body reacts before his brain can catch up.
Dr. Wilcott continues gently, "We gave her a small dose of sedative earlier to ease the pain and help her rest. Her body needs the break. Let her sleep tonight — she needs it."
We both nod rapidly.
"Try to rest yourselves," she adds, giving Zach a pointed, knowing look before stepping out of the room.
The door closes behind her.
I turn to him immediately, cupping his jaw with both hands. "See?" I whisper. "It wasn't as bad as you thought. She's in good hands, babe. You got through the scariest part of tonight."
Zach's eyes soften for the first time in days.
Some of the panic drains from Zach's eyes—just enough that he doesn't look like he's drowning anymore.
He exhales again, this time almost a laugh, almost a sob.
"God," he murmurs, dropping his forehead to mine. "Feels like I can breathe again," he admits quietly.
I stroke my thumb along his cheek.
"Good. You deserve to breathe."
He pulls me into his arms, burying his face in my hair.
"Thank you," he whispers. "I'm so glad you're here, babe."
"Always," I murmur, rubbing slow circles into his back.
We pull apart just enough to kiss — soft, lingering, the kind that settles both of our hearts for a second.
When I draw back, I brush his hair off his forehead.
"Now... can you please eat something?"
He blinks at me. "Right now?"
"Yes, right now," I say, giving him a pointed look. "I'm trying to feed you back to basic human functionality. Your abs are like... one skipped meal away from deflating, and frankly that's my favorite part of you, so I have a vested interest."
He gasps softly, hand to his chest.
"So that's it? I'm just... a piece of meat to you? Wow. Here I was thinking my girlfriend lovedme. Turns out she only wants my body."
He even tries to cover his torso with his hands like he's suddenly scandalized.
I snort. "No, I love you as you, but..." I bump my shoulder into his. "Someone has to preserve the important things."
His laugh bursts out, so free and bright it lights up his whole face — and I swear my heart grows three sizes.
He pulls me back into his arms, holding me tight. "God, I fucking love you so much."
I giggle — helpless, warm, already melting. "I love you too."
EPILOGUE ONE
ZACH
