“Don’t have to thank me either,” he says with a quiet chuckle, shaking his head.
“Yes, I do. Some people would’ve told me to go back to bed last night. That I was being dramatic or overthinking.”
“I’m notsome people.”
“No,” I whisper. “You’re not.”
Our eyes hold, longer than they ever have before.
Something’s different. Maybe it’s the situation. Maybe it’s my hormones. Maybe it’s the fact that this man has stuck by me through the hardest days of my life and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
Cody exhales through his nose, gaze dropping to Emma for a beat before he looks away. “They kept calling me her dad.” He gives a small laugh.
I blink. “Oh.”
“I didn’t correct them.” He swallows.
I want to ask why, but I don’t.
He shrugs one shoulder. “Didn’t want them kicking me out of the room. Or taking her away. I told you I’d keep her safe. And I meant it.”
My throat tightens. “I’m glad you were with her.”
He nods once, jaw flexing like there’s more he wants to say, but he holds it back. Then he clears his throat, voice low and rough. “You really scared me.”
I nod, and the tears come before I can stop them. He’s said that twice now, and a guy like him, the kind who seems fearless, untouchable…I was wrong about him.
Before I can speak, he moves. His hand slides behind my head, guiding me gently into his chest. I don’t resist. I can’t. I lean into him. It hurts like hell, but I do it, pressing my cheek to his shirt.
He doesn’t let go as he carefully lowers himself onto the edge of the bed. Mindful of Emma still in my arms, he wraps his other arm around me.
We stay there. His heart beating steady in my ear, his breathing uneven like he’s been holding it in this whole time.
When he pulls back after what feels like hours, our eyes meet again. Both of us a tear-streaked mess and sniffling.
His head leans in just an inch, but then the door swings open.
“Hey there,” a nurse announces, stepping in with a tablet and cart on wheels. She pauses midstep, and her face blanks. “Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt anything. I just came to check on you and baby.”
Cody pulls back even more getting off the bed quickly, as if he broke some rule.
“It’s alright,” I say quickly, wiping my cheek. My voice still sounds like gravel, but it’s audible.
The nurse moves closer. “Glad to see you back with us. We’ve been keeping a close eye on things.” She glances down at Emma. “And she’s been in good hands.”
My eyes glance over at Cody, but he’s not looking at me. He’s pacing slowly around the room. He runs a hand over his dark hair before crossing his arms and looking out the window.
That’s the second or third time someone has told me Emma’s been in good hands. I didn’t doubt it the first time, and certainly never will. I just wish I would’ve been awake to see it.
Chapter 14
Cody
I wanted to kiss her. But I didn’t.
I probably would’ve if that nurse hadn’t walked in right then.
Something about the way Karissa looked at me… It wasn’t dramatic or too obvious. Just this soft, yet tired look. As if she saw me in a new way. Like maybe shewantedme to kiss her. I can’t explain it; it practically knocked the wind out of me.
