“Is it worth it?” She asked the question in a tiny voice.
She knew it seemed insane. He’d probably think she’d gone crazy. But deep in her heart, in her soul, something screamed at her not to dismiss these feelings so lightly. She’d never felt this way with any guy. What if it was– or could come to be– love?
Again, he dragged his hand through his hair. And then glanced sideways at her for a second. He seemed to be taking much longer than his normal time to think things through before answering.
And then finally. “I don’t know. I wish we had more time.”
Which was fair. She hadn’t expected him to declare his love for her. Heck, she wouldn’t believe him if he did.
He slowed down as they drove through one of the smaller towns along the route. “Corinne would know, she’d see right through us if we simply didn’t tell her.” She hated the idea of lying to Corinne right now.
He nodded but then shook his head from side to side.
“Maybe, maybe not. I love my sister more than anything.” He seemed to choke a little.
“But we’re all adults.” And then. “How ’bout we play it by ear?”
Stella wasn’t so sure this would work and yet, he offered a plan worth trying. He reached over and covered her hand with his. Such a no-nonsense response to all of this was just so very Peyton. She squeezed his hand back. “Okay.”
Peyton and Stellaheard the sound of Misty’s laughter as they approached Corinne’s room. Peyton squeezed her hand gently before releasing it, and then they stepped into the room.
Corinne smiled at them cheekily. No longer wearing the oxygen tube, she sat on the bed with her legs hanging over. “Feeling better now big brother?” She teased Peyton.
He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and then lifted Misty into his arms. “How you doing, kiddo?” Stella knew he’d felt bad for leaving yesterday. She could see it in the tender way he held his niece and the sheepish look he sent his sister.
Stella stepped forward and hugged Corinne. “You ready to get out of here?”
“God, yes. I’m good to go as soon as they remove this thing.” She lifted her arm, indicating the IV. Did you by chance bring me some clothes to wear home?”
Stella held up the bag she’d put together earlier. “What kind of a friend do you think I am?” Bad choice of words, she thought, wincing a little inside.
“How ’bout a walk while your mom gets dressed?” Peyton lowered Misty to the floor.
Jumping up and down, she took her uncle up on his suggestion eagerly. “Will you buy me another toy from the little store?” She seemed to pick up on his guilt.
Stella laughed at that. Misty was smarter than all of them put together.
Corinne encouraged Misty’s punishment. “And Flowers for me, Pey.”
Shaking his head, he grunted before allowing Misty to tug him out the door.
Not thirty seconds passed before Corinne surprised the hell out of Stella.
“Oh, my God. That didn’t take long. I mean, I hoped it would happen but dayam!”
Stella froze. “What do you mean?” But her friend had turned pink and even begun giggling a little.
“One night alone, that’s all it took. My brother moves fast!”
Not sure how to respond, Stella just covered her face with her hands. “I didn’t mean to, Corinne. Not for a million dollars would I ever do anything to intentionally hurt you!”
Corinne’s arms wrapped around her. “Hurt me? Hurt me? You nerd! It’s what I wanted all along. I knew I wouldn’t have much time and I couldn’t leave Peyton to that Valerie chick. For years, I thought you two would be perfect together. Why did you think I kept inviting you over here…? I mean, aside from coming to see me?”
Stella could hardly believe what she was hearing. “You mean, you’re okay with it? You’re not mad? You told me once that you hated it when your friends hit on your brother.”
“Well, not you. Obviously.”
“You could have told me!” Now Stella laughed. “Oh, my God, I’ve been stressing over this like crazy.”
