They sat in awkward silence for a minute, neither one of them sure where to start. I was about to jump in and say something to break the tension when Logan’s face swept up to Dani’s. “I’m sorry you got hurt,” he blurted out.
She pressed her lips together and blinked slowly, most likely trying not to cry again. “Thanks. Me too,” she said softly.
“And I’m sorry I didn’t hug you before.”
“That’s okay, sweetheart. I understand.” Dani’s voice shook. “I’m sorry if this is hard for you.”
“It’s harder for you,” he said with a shrug.
Dani let out a quick chuckle. “Yeah, that’s probably true, but I am glad you decided to come and see me today. Made me feel a lot better.”
“Really?” Logan’s voice rose.
Dani nodded. “Yep. Ask your dad . . . I was feeling pretty crummy before you got here, but once he told me you were coming, and now that you’re here, I’m much happier.”
Logan’s eyes turned quickly to me, and I nodded in agreement. “She’s right.”
A huge grin practically split his face in half as he turned back to Dani and threw his arms around her. She grimaced from the force of his hug, but she immediately wrapped her arms around him, too. I couldn’t hide the smile on my face as two of the most important people in my life embraced each other.
“Can I sign your cast?” Logan mumbled into her shoulder.
“Sure! You really want to?” Dani sounded just as excited as Logan, as he nodded eagerly. She glanced up at me. “Can you check the nurses’ station for a marker or something?”
I nodded and left in search of a Sharpie, which didn’t take long at all. I held a finger up, signaling one more minute to Gloria and Becca, who were still standing down by the fish tank at the end of the hall. Gloria nodded and I dipped back inside the room.
“One black Sharpie, here ya go.” I handed it to Logan, who was still smiling.
His eyes glistened as he took it from me and pulled the cap off.
“What are you gonna write?” I asked, craning my neck to see what he was doing.
“It’s a surprise,” he teased, holding his hand up to block my view. Dani looked up at me with a special gleam in her eye, too. I knew that the little connection she’d just made with Logan was as important to her as it was to me . . . and him. She gave me a hot little wink as he sat up.
“Done,” he said proudly, dragging a pillow over the top of her cast.
I frowned. “Wait, what?”
“She can’t read it until I leave.” His tone turned shy, and his pale cheeks instantly turned bright pink.
“Oh, I see.” I pulled him into a headlock and rubbed the top of his head with my knuckle. “You didn’t ask her out, did you? Because I’m pretty sure she’s already taken.”
“Ewww! Dad, no!” he squealed, wiggling out from under my arm.
“All right, I’m gonna walk them out, and I’ll be right back.” I winked at Dani, who was sitting on the bed, smiling at nothing . . . and everything.
I stepped into the hallway and gave the kids another hug and kiss good-bye. Becca started to tear up, but when I told her there was a chance we’d be coming home the next day, she hopped out of my arms and started booty shaking right there in the hospital hallway.
I stood in the hall and waved until they turned the corner. As I gently pushed the door shut behind me, I heard Dani sniff.
“What’s wrong?” I rushed over.
“No, nothing. Your son. He’s just the sweetest.” She held her casted hand up, and I bent down for a closer look.
Scribbled on her cast in black marker . . .
Get well fast so you can come HOME!
My eyebrows shot up and I chuckled. “He even capitalized the word ‘home.’ Smart man.”
Dani’s eyes dropped to avoid my stare, and just like that, the big white elephant in the room tripled in size. “Andy, listen—”
“Nope. I’m not. This is ridiculous, Dani. I love you, the kids love you, you’re part of our lives now. Why take a step backward?”
She sighed. “I don’t have a good answer. It just seemed like since I moved in for safety, now that I’m safe, it makes sense for me to go back home.”
“You moved in for safety and now you’re gonna stay for love. Deal?”
“Deal?” Her eyes glistened as she shook her head. “You keep saying cute things like that and your odds of getting laid in a hospital bed are gonna get better and better.”
Score.
CHAPTER 36
Danicka
The hospital doors slid open, and Andy wheeled me to the waiting car. I was annoyed that the nurses made him wheel me all the way downstairs. I was fine.