“I had to dosomethingto change the energy between us.”
She tilts her head and stares at me.
“Yeah.I admit it.It sucked being in the care of the world’s most capable, smokin’ hot virgin nurse.It was driving me fucking nuts wanting what I couldn’t have.”
“I see.”
“So I argued with you, bitched and moaned about anything and everything so that I could keep you at a distance and close the lid on my neat and tidy box.”
“Ah, yes.Your box.About that.”A crinkle appears between her brows.“You opened the lid that night.You ripped that sucker right off.”
“How’s that?”
Her eyes squint in a smile.“Well, the party was over.Your brothers got you home and I made sure you had your meds and were comfortable.I added water to the fresh flowers by your bed and I told you I needed to check the dressing on your surgical site one last time.”
“Okay.”I’m feeling slightly uncomfortable, just like when Phoebe reminded me of the Creamy Cone incident.
“As I bent over the bed, you leaned in and kissed my cheek.”
That’s not anywhere as bad as I feared.
“And you said, ‘Phoebe, thank you.’And I said, ‘Of course.See you tomorrow.Sleep well.’But as I turned to go, you grabbed my wrist.Hard.”
“This is why Ihatetaking any kind of narcotic.I hope I didn’t say or do anything else weird.”
She laughs.“Nothing weird.You said, ‘I think I love you.’”
I freeze.
“And then you said, ‘You’re perfect, Phoebe.Marry me.’”
CHAPTER 47
Phoebe
Day 4
December 20
Evander looks shell-shocked.
I probably shouldn’t have told him that, especially since he can’t use the roof as an excuse to escape.
Because there is no roof.It imploded and burned along with the rest of the shack.And now we’re in a hole in the ground and the snow is still falling and it’s got to be close to zero and well after midnight.Not that I can be sure of any of that.
Since my phone’s at the bottom of an icy lake!And all of Evander’s stuff—his phone, his GPS, his tactical watch—is burned to a crisp!
It's just Evander, me, and one remaining can of Beefaroni, huddled in this igloo.
If I weren’t so cold and tired, I’d probably be laughing hysterically.
Evander is staring blankly at me.
“You look like you’re having an existential crisis,” I tell him.
“So do you.”
“I’m scared and cold.”
