Rebecca smiled at Nick. “He may be a bit biased.”
“Well, he’s not the only one. Dr. Thantos speaks very highly of you too.”
Her mouth fell open. She was surprised to hear that her therapist had chimed in on her behalf. There were a lot of pieces that had to have come together in order to keep her alive, and she wasn’t aware of them all.
“I can’t express how thankful and how grateful I am. I am truly honored to have your sister’s heart. Sadly, there is no way for me to thank her.”
“This man…” he said, pointing to Nick. “He was the love of Vera’s life. Thank her by being good to him.”
She smiled with her eyes filled with moisture. “That, I can do.”
Vince walked over to her bed and held out his hand. When she placed her hand in his, he told her, “That’s a Cato’s heart beating inside of you, and I hope it will one day be a Cato’s heart again. I wish you both the best.”
Rebecca didn’t even try to suppress the tears that escaped. With Vince’s blessing, she allowed herself to feel happy. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
“Alright now, that’s enough of that. You have more visitors,” he told her, handing her the box of Kleenex from the nightstand.
Rebecca pulled a tissue from the box and cleaned her face before looking up at him. “More visitors?” she inquired with a weak smile.
When Vince stepped out of the way, her breath hitched at the sight of Nick standing in the doorway holding the tiniest of bundles. He walked over to her and lowered the bundle into her arms.
“I want you to meet my son.” His voice was filled with pride. “This is Nicholas Cato Junior.”
Rebecca cradled Nick’s son in her arms. He was more precious than anything she’d anticipated. And she wasn’t sure her new heart could withstand the level of adoration she felt for his beautiful son.
“He’s perfect,” she said, gazing at him in awe. “So perfect…”
“I know, right?” Nick bragged with a grin.
19
KING
“Good shit, Rebecca,” Lydia praised enthusiastically. “We’re done for the day.”
Rebecca smiled at her physical therapist and slumped over the elliptical machine. After weeks of therapy, she was finally able do forty-five straight minutes of cardio.
“I’ll see you Monday,” Lydia told her, handing her a bottle of water.
“Monday,” Rebecca agreed with a nod. “Have a good weekend.”
She climbed off the machine and grabbed her backpack from a nearby weight bench and slipped the bottle of water inside. Since starting PT, she’d drank enough of the tasteless fluid to fill an Olympic-sized pool. She hopped up from the bench and slung the backpack over her shoulder. She waved at the other patients she’d gotten to know on her way out.
Once she hit the parking lot, cool air and the feeling of dread smacked her in the face, reminding her that she was supposed to meet Nick and Vera’s family for dinner. As if being around him alone wasn’t painful enough, she had to break bread with the family of the woman whose heart was beating in her chest. Facing all that guilt with a smile on her face would be torturous.
Vera’s brother was always sweet and extremely welcoming. But she wouldn’t be surprised if somewhere deep down he harbored a boiling resentment toward her. Not only was she alive because of his sister’s death, but on top of everything, she was also sleeping with the woman’s husband. No one wasthatunderstanding. Being around Vera’s family was painful.
And that also included Nick.
Rebecca sighed and headed to her car. After climbing in, she wondered what would be a good enough excuse to bail on her donor’s loving family.
CATO
“Well, hello,” Tanya chirped, causing Nick to look up.
Rebecca had entered the restaurant wearing a sexy, winter-white sweater dress with a matching trench. Nick’s eyes roamed from her thick, curly bun to the hot, stiletto knee-length boots she was wearing. To say Rebecca was beautiful was an understatement. With her perfect, brown complexion, her electric smile, and her heart-stopping curves, she was nothing short of perfection.
Nick stood as she approached with a smile. But behind the smile was so much. Lately, he had no idea where he stood with Rebecca. Since the transplant, she had gotten stronger and stronger every day. Unfortunately, the stronger she got, the more distant she became. They were spending less and less time together.
