Fran looks impressed. “Really?”
He nods. “Y’all know how rocky things have been with my career and the split from the band.” He pauses. “This may sound corny, but being with London has given me a new lease on life.”
“Thank you.” Tears fill my eyes. I blink furiously to stay them. “I could say the same about you.” Being with him has made me question myself and my motives. When’s the last time I put another person’s needs above my own? Axel makes me want to be a better person. Our gazes catch and hold for a beat of silence. Is it too soon to call this love? I have no idea, but these feelings are strong—stronger than anything I’ve ever felt for a guy before.
Axel turns to Cassie with a boyish grin. “Sorry, sis, I didn’t mean to cut you off. Just had to put that out there before I lost my nerve.”
Cassie glances at me and then takes in a breath. “I was just going to say that I’m glad you’re here … and that it’s nice to meet a girl who can hold your attention for longer than five minutes.”
“Ouch.” Axel lets out a low chuckle. “That’s hitting a guy where it hurts.”
Cassie grins as she cuts her eyes at him. “You deserved that.”
“You’re probably right,” Axel admits.
I throw Cassie a questioning look, wondering why she didn’t rat me out. It would seem that I’ve been given a stay of execution.
She lifts her chin, assessing me. “I look forward to catching up and finding out if you measure up to my brother’s high praise.”
“Hey,” Axel counters, “be nice. I like her.”
Fran pats Axel’s hand. “So do I. She seems lovely.”
“Thanks,” I murmur and shuffle over to stand beside Axel. He slips his arm around my shoulders. The comfort of being near him is as tangible as a warm blanket. I turn to him. “How’s your dad?”
Before Axel can answer, Fran gives a report. “The surgery helped reduce the pressure in his brain and stopped the bleeding. Randall will be sedated for approximately twenty-fourhours. After that, the sedation will be reduced slowly until he regains consciousness.”
I give her an encouraging smile. “That’s good to hear.”
“Yes,” she agrees, her beautiful face taut with worry.
Cassie speaks up. “I have an idea.” She looks at Axel. “Bro, why don’t you stay here and visit with Mom for a bit? I’ll take London back to the house and help her get settled.”
Uncertainty pings Axel’s expression. “Uh, maybe London should stay here with me.”
“Don’t worry,” Cassie says sweetly. “I’ll be nice. I’m sure London could use a long, hot shower and some rest.” She silently dares me to disagree.
“That sounds great,” I pipe in. Cassie’s calling the shots, and I have no other choice but to follow her lead.
Axel grimaces. “I dunno.”
“Oh, she’ll be fine,” Cassie blusters. “You act like I’m gonna terrorize her.”
He gives herThe Look. “Just speaking from experience.”
“I’m not that awful,” she quips. “I told you I’d be nice.”
“Okay,” he relents and turns his attention to me. “I’ll see you at the house.”
I nod.
He gives me a peck on the lips. I heat up ten degrees, acutely aware that Cassie and Fran are watching.
When we step into the hall and close the door, I turn to Cassie, my voice low. “I thought you were gonna tell him who I am.”
She gives me a measured look. “I decided to let things ride until the benefit.”
“Good call,” I breathe.
