She’d sobbed in my arms in the hallway. She hadn’t wanted Grayden to see her fall apart like that.
“I would’ve given up anything if it would’ve brought Grayden back to us,” she’d said.
“We can’t change what happened. But he’s here now.”
“I know.” She’d wiped her tears away. “I have to go back in there. I don’t want him to think I’m mad at him.”
Because, no matter what, Grace chose love where Grayden was concerned. She was true to her name.
We were all ragged after yesterday. My nerves were raw and my heart was bruised. But seeing the four of them, even Ashford, hugging Grayden had been beautiful. Same with seeing him and Teller together. All those wounds weren’t healed yet, but I was sure we’d get there.
“Today’s a new day,” I said.
“Sure feels like it.” Grayden’s hand rose to press against my cheek. His thumb moved over my cheekbone. “I love you, Piper.”
Everything inside me stopped. “What did you say?”
Because it couldn’t have been what I thought I’d heard. Just coming out of the blue like that.
“I’m in love with you.” His gaze still held its usual intensity, but the flecks of gold were softer. Liquid. His hand was warm and dry against my skin. “Might be telling you that too soon. But I can’t help it. After all the confessions last night, I’m an open book. The barriers are down. I love you.”
My lower lip trembled. “Okay.”
He huffed a laugh and leaned in to kiss me deeply. The kiss held all those same words. I felt them like a mantra repeating in my head.
I love you.
“Gross. Get a room,” Callum said sleepily.
“Agreed.” Ashford stretched his arms over his head.
“I think they’re cute,” Grace said on a yawn.
Teller was blinking away sleep and intentionally not looking at us. “Anyone want a breakfast sandwich?”
Grayden and I both laughed. He nuzzled his nose against mine, then let me go. “Great idea. I’ll come with you, Teller.”
Grace wiped her face and smacked her lips. “My mouth tastes yucky. Does anyone have a mint?”
I grinned affectionately at all of them.
Yesterday had been agonizing. The waiting and not knowing. Today was going to be so much better.
We took turns going back to Silver Ridge to get cleaned up. Ollie was anxious to come back to the hospital, so Teller said he’d swing by Ashford and Emma’s place to pick him up. Ollie would be thrilled to see him.
Grayden and I were able to go to my house and take a quick shower. There wasn’t much time to enjoy each other, but we made the most of it. Kissing and washing each other and relaxing under the warm spray.
He loved me. I couldn’t believe he’d said that.
He didn’t seem upset with my ridiculous response either.Okay. A non-response, conversation ender. Probably because I just didn’t have the words yet to give him the reply he deserved. The reply I wanted to be able to give him.
But someday. I wanted to say it someday.Me, the founder of the Lonely Harts club. The woman who’d sworn she would never, ever say those three words to a man again.
Wild.
After freshening up, it was back to the hospital. No change yet in Danny’s status, but the doctor who spoke to me said things were looking good.
Ollie and I went in to see Danny again, and Ollie put a card next to his hospital bed with elaborate drawings inside.
