She stared at me with a vulnerability she rarely let anyone see, but her hand on my cheek was steady. I covered it with mine slowly, like any sudden movement might shatter this pivotal moment.
“Quinn,” I said softly, “you’re allowed to have good things.”
“I think I’m finally starting to believe that.” Her gaze heated as she shifted closer. So close I felt her breath skim my lips. “I want you to be mine.”
The words set my nerves ablaze.
“You have me.” There was no doubt in my tone. No hesitation.
Her lips parted as she sucked in a breath. “And you haveallof me,” she said on a whisper. “You’ve become my home, Graham.”
I leaned in, a primal surge of protectiveness shooting through me. “You’re mine.”
It was a promise. A claim.
She shivered.
“As long as you want me, Quinn,” I murmured, “I will keep you close. And I will cherish you.”
Her eyes fluttered closed, her forehead brushing mine. “I love you.” She was a breath away from kissing me; our lips nearly touched.
A sharp knock interrupted our moment.
We both froze. Quinn’s eyes snapped open and darted toward the door.
I blew out a long, heavy sigh, not wanting to move from where I was.
“It’s probably a nurse?” Quinn guessed, still eyeing the door. There was another knock, quieter this time.
“Maybe,” I muttered, though if it was, they weren’t coming in for some reason. Slowly, reluctantly, I pulled away. “I’ll go check who it is.”
I hurried, wanting to get back to her side as quickly as possible.
When I opened the door, peeking out into the hallway, I knew that wasn’t happening anytime soon.
The little group standing before the door stared at me expectantly. My mother was closest, looking hopeful. She was holding a gift bag in one hand.
“Is she taking visitors?” she asked immediately.
My face flushed. In the chaos of everything, I had almost forgotten that my parents—and Roman and Hailey—were all waiting at the hospital for news about Quinn. They’d gone off to the gift shop while Whize was talking to me.
I scrubbed a hand over the back of my neck. “Uh…let me ask her.”
I turned to Quinn, who gave me a look that was equal parts concern and curiosity.
“What is it?” she asked.
I shifted on my feet, feeling suddenly ridiculous. “You, uh…have some people who’ve been waiting to see you.”
She blinked, surprised. “Who?”
I gestured vaguely at the door. “You want them to come in and find out?”
Her gaze flicked toward the door. Something flashed in her expression—something like hope and a touch of caution.
She nodded hesitantly.
I opened the door fully, stepping aside as my family slipped into the room. Quinn’s eyes widened in pure shock as she took them in.
