“Well, I think we can safely say Este took better care of me.”
Este turns away, covering what I’m pretty sure is a laugh with a cough, and I’ve never been more grateful for Shay’s phone as I am when it chimes. She scans it and stands.
“Noelle is here. I’m going to meet her in the cafeteria. You should come, Bryan. I’d love for you to meet her.”
Bryan looks from me to Este and back again, and I can see him trying to put the pieces together, but he doesn’t seem to be quite there yet. Finally, he nods. “Sure. I’ve been looking forward to meeting her. You okay staying with Nico, honey?”
Este promises she is, and we let out matching sighs of relief when Shay closes the door behind them.
“Hi,” Este says, lightly stroking a finger down my cheek.
“Hi, baby.”
“I’ve missed you,” she whispers, then leans in and gently presses her lips to mine.
She feels better than any drug ever could.
27
ESTE
I’m doing a terrible job of trying not to cry.
Nico is awake. He’s clearly tired, but alert. He has an IV and his arm is in a sling, but otherwise, he could be lying in bed at home. He’s okay.
He’s okay.
Nico cups my face, brushing away my tears with his thumb. “Hey. Don’t cry, angel.”
“I was so scared,” I murmur, and pain flashes in his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve been more?—”
“No, Nico,” I cut him off, placing my hand over his on my face. “It was a freak accident, and there was nothing you could’ve done. In fact, the doctor said we were lucky you’d just sharpened your axe, because it would’ve been much worse if it were blunt. You’re not allowed to blame yourself for this.”
“Not allowed, huh?” His lips lift a fraction at the corners, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen something as perfect.
“Nope. I said so.”
“Noted,” he answers with a quiet chuckle. He runs hisgaze over my face, taking me in, and the smile falls from his lips. “You haven’t slept, have you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Not what I asked.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t pretend I’m not pleased to hear his familiar, commanding tone. That came back fast. “I’ve gone longer without sleep and survived. I’ll catch up.”
“Knock knock.”
Nico frowns, but I’m saved from having to answer as the doctor who spoke to us after Nico’s surgery comes in, trailed by two interns who may or may not be the same two that were with him yesterday. I was so focused on Nico that I don’t remember much of what happened yesterday.
“Mr. Harland, it’s good to see you awake. I’m Dr. Martinez, and my interns today are Dr. Liu and Dr. McGuire. Do you mind if they join us?”
Nico agrees, and Dr. Martinez gestures to the interns to talk him through his surgery and treatment plan. Everything went as well as it could have during his surgery—they even managed to remove his axe without damaging it, though Shay took it and I’m not convinced she’s planning to give it back to Nico anytime soon. As long as he rests, attends physical therapy, and doesn’t push himself, he should get full function back in his arm, albeit with a new scar for his collection.
“When can I go home?” Nico asks.
“As long as there are no complications, we’ll get you out of here in a day or two. What you need most is rest, and you’ll likely get more of that at home. You’ll need to get your wound checked regularly for the first few weeks, butthe clinic in Wintermore will be able to handle it,” Dr. Martinez tells him, and, though I can tell from Nico’s expression that he’s not thrilled about spending time in town, he doesn’t protest. The only place I imagine he wants to be less than Wintermore is in this hospital bed.
