“I was at a party with Tanner.”
“Your roommate?” my dad asks.
“Actually…he’s my boyfriend.” I blush. “And before you freak out, it’s new.”
“What makes you think I’d freak out?” he laughs.
“I’m not surprised,” my mom says.
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“I could just tell you two mean a lot to each other. It’s not every day men do grand gestures like buying a lift for your brother.”
“I’m really happy.”
“That’s all we want for you, honey.” She smiles. “So where is he?”
“I saw your text messages and calls while I was in the bathroom, and I ran out of there so fast that I only had time to text him, and then I left my phone in the Uber like an idiot.”
The room phone begins to ring, and my dad walks over and answers it.
“Oh, no, do you think there is any chance the Uber driver will bring it back?” my mom asks.
“Maybe. She was really nice.”
My dad hangs up the phone and looks over at me. “Someone is down at the front desk asking for you. It must be the driver with the bag.”
“Really, but I wanted to talk to the doctor.”
“Wren, we are perfectly capable of talking to the doctor, and there is no telling when he will come back. Run down and see who it is. You need your phone and purse.”
I squeeze Cody’s hand before leaving to make my way back to the lobby.
I freeze when the door swings open, revealing Tanner atthe front desk. His jacket is draped across his arm, and his tie is undone and hanging around his neck.
“Ma’am, I understand that your policy states that patient family members are the only ones admitted to visit in the ER, but the girl I love’s brother is back there, and she’s not answering her phone, so could you please tell me where I can find Cody Dawson.”
He sounds panicked, and I can tell he’s doing his best to keep his emotions in check, but he’s starting to waver.
“Sir—”
“You came,” I say, breathless.
Tanner’s head whips in my direction, and in three long strides he meets me at the door. His arms wrap around me. “Of course I did.”
Tears start streaming down my face, and he holds me tight against his chest. “What happened?” he asks, soothing my back.
“Cody’s aid forgot his meds and it triggered a pretty bad seizure, which isn’t unexpected, but still really scary.”
“Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he’ll be okay. They're just waiting for the doctor to come in.”
“That’s good. How are you?”
“I’m okay. It scared me, but I’m glad he’s going to be alright. I’m really sorry that I tore out of there so fast. I know I promised you I would be there for the big announcement.”
“Never apologize for putting Cody before me. He means a lot to you, which means he means a lot to me too. I know we’re still early on, but I’m all in. And I know that means that one day, if you’ll have me, I’ll get the honor of helping you care for Cody, so you never have to apologize for putting him first. I don’t care what we’re doing. If he needs us, we’re there, no questions asked.”
