I nod. “He calls me that.”
“You’re important to him.”
My heart flutters with those words. “He’s the most important person in my world.”
“You love him?”
I don’t hesitate when I answer. “With every piece of my heart.”
A single tear rolls down his cheek. “We got another chance with him. I think he fought to stay alive because of you.”
I step closer until I’m almost next to Sebastian.
I gaze down at Liam.
His beard is gone. His hair is much shorter. It’s still long enough to fall onto his forehead, but the sides are trimmed close to his head. The back must be too.
“I called every hospital when I couldn’t find him.” Sebastian runs a gloved finger over his brother’s cheek. “I described him, but he didn’t match the bearded, long-haired guy I was looking for.”
I stare at Liam.
“Once I called back and added the details about his height and the tattoos, I struck gold.”
I nod.
“Did he look like this the last time you saw him?”
“No,” I whisper. “He didn’t.”
“He’s a handsome bastard, isn’t he?” He huffs out a laugh.
Moving even closer, I slide a finger over Liam’s smooth chin. “He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever known.”
Time stallswhen Liam’s eyelids finally flutter open.
I move to stand next to him.
I’ve been here all night. Maybe it’s been longer. This room doesn’t have any windows, and my cell phone wasn’t allowed, so Tilly promised she’d keep it safe in her purse.
I didn’t need it.
I texted Jeremy to tell him what was happening before I came back in to settle into a chair for the night.
Liam’s parents kept vigil in the waiting room, but they insisted that I take the chair in his room.
“It’s what my boy would want,” his dad said.
“Liam,” I whisper his name. “Please open your eyes.”
One lid cracks open. His voice comes out in a growl. “Lilac?”
My breath catches in my chest at the sound of that. I’ll never tire of hearing him call me that.
“I’m here.” I lean closer. “I’m here, Liam.”
His other eye opens a touch. “Pull that down.”
I tug the mask down so he can see my entire face. I know I look like hell. I spent half the night in tears, both happy and sad. I spent the rest of the time trying to sleep, but I couldn’t.
