Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
“How are you holding up?” I ask, leaning back to look at her.
Her eyes close as she shakes her head. When she opens up her eyes again, she turns her head toward Tony, who’s still asleep.
“Doctors say he’s gonna be okay, so I’ll be okay,” she answers.
My heart twists again. There is no doubt that she loves her husband, and I know that she loves him in a way that if, god forbid, he were to pass, she would follow behind him. That’s how strong their love is. I don’t think either of them would survive without the other. No way.
“I would have come sooner, but Mackenzie just told me this morning,” I say.
She lets out a long breath. Her eyes leave her husband and come back to me.
“I . . .” She takes a shaky breath, and tears fill her eyes. “I haven’t thought much about anything since he told me his chest was hurting him and I forced him to come to the hospital. I’m sorry I didn’t think to call.”
“Please don’t apologize,” I whisper, watching her eyes close. A single tear slides down her pale cheek. “It will be okay.” I take a seat in the empty chair next to her.
“I know, cara, I’m just worried not only about Tony but about Antonio. He’s been running himself ragged working at the shop—and he’s still going in to the firehouse. It’s too much for one person. I don’t know what to do.”
“He’ll be okay as long as you and Tony are okay,” I assure her, taking her hand and squeezing it. “I rearranged my hours at the salon today so I can help out at the shop for a few hours in the evenings, and Mackenzie said she’ll help out as well.”
“You’re a good girl.” She covers my hand with her own, giving it a squeeze. “One day Antonio will open his eyes and see that, too.”
Her statement doesn’t surprise me. She’s gotten it in her head that her son and I should be together. I used to tell her it’d never happen while secretly hoping it would. Now I don’t secretly wish for anything having to do with her son.
“You look pretty today. Did you do anything fun?”
“Just work.”
“You work too much.”
This is spoken in a rough, low voice. My eyes fly to the bed. Tony’s tired eyes are open and on me.
“Hey, you.” I get up and walk around to the opposite side of the bed so I can lean over him and kiss his cheek. “How are you feeling?” I ask when I lean back.
He rolls his eyes. “I’m fine. Just wish everyone would stop worrying so much,” he says.
I smile softly.
“He wants to get out of here,” Martina says. My eyes go to her. “He keeps complaining to the doctors about how many tests they are running, how many drugs they are giving him, and how long he has to be here for.” She shakes her head.
“I should be allowed to leave when I want,” he grumbles.
“I think the doctors know what they’re doing. Maybe you should listen to them,” I suggest.
He presses his lips tightly together. “They want me to go to rehab at some fancy place upstate. I don’t have time to do that. I have a business to run.”
“You’re going,” Martina says firmly. Tony looks over at her. “If the doctors say you need to go, you’re going. End of discussion.” She slashes her hand in the air, and he sighs.
“A man should be allowed to make his own choices.”
“How about you focus on getting well?” I say.
He looks at me. “I don’t think I have a choice in the matter.”
“I think you’re right about that,” I agree. I swallow down a bubble of laughter when he directs an annoyed glare at his wife.
Yes, Tony and Martina love each other—but lord do they bicker all the time.
Hearing a knock at the door, I turn my head. A man wearing dark-blue scrubs comes into the room, pushing a wheelchair. He greets everyone with a smile.
“I’m here to take you for your ultrasound, Mr. Moretti.”
Tony grumbles, “Great, more tests.” He looks back at me. “Thank you for coming to see us.”
“Anytime.” I kiss his cheek again, then walk over to Martina, who’s now standing at the end of the bed.
Wrapping my arms around her, I give her a hug.
When I start to pull away, she tightens her hold on me and whispers in my ear, “Watch over Antonio for me.”
I nod my head, then hug her tighter.
“I’ll come visit again soon. You have my number. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I will, cara.” She kisses my cheek, then lets me go.
I take one more glance at them over my shoulder, giving them a wave before I leave the room. I wonder how hard it will be to keep my promise to Martina.