My lips that were tensed together in a straight line when the questioning began have eased into the smallest smile. I love this man in front of me and I know by the look in his eyes, he still loves me. It’s all I need to know.
It doesn’t stop me from me reacting, though, when Dr. Hassen asks Zack what he remembers about the day of the accident. I squeeze his hand so tightly he actually flinches. I watch him struggle to find the words to speak as he looks at me with sorrow in his eyes.
“I’m sorry.” His gaze is fiercely on me.
“It’s okay, Zack.” I brush his cheeks with one hand, wanting to erase the pain I see in him.
He shakes his head adamantly and turns to the doctor briefly before looking back at me.
“Rachel lied. She called, panicking that someone had broken into her house.” His hand squeezes mine tightly. “She doesn’t live far from us.”
Us. The mere mention of the word ‘us’ brings tears of relief to my eyes. I wasn’t worried about Rachel, but just the fact that he still sees us together, and that he just referred to me as if I already live with him brings inexplicable joy to my heart.
He takes a deep breath and continues.
“She wanted someone with her until the cops could come and just be with her. I got there and her entire downstairs was completely trashed. Everything was thrown around, glass all over the floor. I was scared for her when I got there and I let her hug me.” He spits the last part out and I see a look of disgust flood his features. I only give him a nod to continue.
“She kissed me.” My teeth clench at the mere idea she planned this whole ruse just to get to Zack and get her evil little arms around him and his mouth on hers again. I feel sick to my stomach having to hear the story all over again. “I’m so sorry, love.”
“It’s okay. It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“I pushed her away and realized she had set the whole thing up when I saw a bunch of guys jump out of their cars with cameras. I took off in my car, trying to get away from her and call you to tell you what happened. But I couldn’t find my phone…and then….”
He stops speaking and looks to the doctor. “I don’t remember anything after that.”
Dr. Hassen nods his head. We’re silent for several minutes but then the doctor excuses himself from the room letting us know he’ll be back when it’s time for the MRI. I don’t know if he’s done with his questioning or if he just senses we need some time alone, but I don’t care at all when he leaves.
“You dropped your phone at Rachel’s. It was there. She called me to tell me what happened.”
Zack’s eyes widen. “What did she say to you?”
“She just said you were at her house.”
He must see the worry that fills my eyes with what I was thinking when Rachel first called me because he moves to comfort me but I pull back just a little bit. “She said it wasn’t what I was thinking, and she was sorry. But I didn’t know. And I was so worried...”
I let my voice trail off because I don’t want to finish saying what I was worried about because it doesn’t matter anymore.
“She came here yesterday and told me everything that happened. I hate her for it, but you have nothing to be sorry for.”
“You’re it for me, Nicole.” His lips tilt up into that sexy grin that I have missed so much.
I can’t stop myself from launching myself at him with his words and his smile that I finally get to see again.
I don’t need to hear them, I already knew how he felt before he spoke, but hearing them out loud, just reminds me how much I absolutely love him. I want him. Forever. The thought doesn’t scare me at all.
“Marry me.”
I jerk out of Zack’s arms at the two words he just spoke to me. Surely I must have mis-heard him, or misunderstood the words and only heard what I didn’t realize until this very moment I have been hoping he would ask me. But not here, not like this with him bandaged and wearing a cast and morphine drip for the pain.