“Uh…” She looked at Noah. “You want me to stay?”
The doctor gave him a look that told him what the answer should be.
“I’m good. Go sit with her.”
“I’ll get you when we’re done,” Ethan said.
Delaney walked out, and the doctor found a tool that looked suspiciously like a stapler.
“It’ll hurt, but not as much as getting shot.”
“Why doesn’t that make me feel better?”
Ten minutes later, Noah wished he could have a turn with the stapler and the doctor’s skull. But the wound was closed, so he ground out a thank-you before the man left.
Delaney returned a few seconds later and held his hand, gaze skimming his face. “That looks painful.”
“It’s just a flesh wound, which I keep telling them, but they’re acting like I was?—”
“Shot?”
He’d laugh, but it hurt too much. “I’m just saying…”
She bent and kissed him on the forehead. “You’re going to be okay. I’ll take care of Charlotte until you’re a hundred percent.”
“You’re the best.”
“I try.”
She started to walk away, but he caught her hand and pulled her back. “Seriously. You saved her life.”
“Not me. My cousin Michael and my sister Alyssa found her. They?—”
“Youwere there.Youfound her.Yousaved her.”
“So did you. So did Jasper.”
He nodded. That was true. But if not for Delaney, he didn’t know what would have happened.
Truth was, if not for Delaney, Charlotte wouldn’t be the open, happy kid she was today. Delaney had saved her long before tonight.
“You’re a wonder.”
Her short laugh seemed uncomfortable. “I don’t know?—”
“I do. I don’t deserve you. Obviously.”
“That’s not?—”
“Let me finish, please.” Because he was losing focus, and he needed to say this. “You’re amazing, and you’re so good with Charlotte. I love you because…” A thousand reasons that he couldn’t seem to vocalize. “You’re everything I want.”
Her eyes widened. “You’ve lost a lot of blood.” She was half kidding, but only half. Like she wasn’t sure if she should believe him.
“I know what I’m saying.” Though his words were slurring, and he wasn’t saying anything well. Hehadlost a lot of blood, and the walk across the ER had taken too much out of him. “I love you. That’s all. I just…love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Okay, then. It’s settled.” He wasn’t sure exactly what was settled, but it felt right. Complete. Whatever that meant.
