Chapter 1

 

 

Kate stared at Reed, her emotions in turmoil. They still stood in the store, all crowded around Reed in the cereal aisle. She was highly aware of the sound of his voice, of the tightness to his expression, the hope. He talked in muted tones with Aura, the girl he’d loved, the girl that had been in a coma for three years, the girl Kate had thought squarely in his past.

Until now.

She was relieved Aura was awake. Withering away in a coma because of a drunk driver was a terrible fate that she wouldn’t wish on anyone. For Aura to wake up was a miracle that should be celebrated.

But this was Aura, the girl Reed had loved for three years, his unrequited affection and her accident leaving an indelible scar on Reed’s heart. Kate had nearly lost him because of his promise to Aura, and now she was back. Would he go back to her? Would he want to be with her? How would it change his feelings . . .

Reed’s hand touched hers, their fingers intertwining. Their eyes met and he gave a tiny nod, warming the knot in her chest. In the midst of what was likely the second hardest phone call of his life, Reed recognized Kate’s fear.

“I’m glad to hear that,” he said to Aura, but he squeezed Kate’s hand, his eyes never leaving hers.

Relief trickled through her frame and she allowed a small smile. She could see the pain, the worry, the relief, written on his features, and there was a stillness about his body, like he wanted to shout and run or drop to his knees and cry. He did neither.

“I’ll talk to you soon,” he finally said, and hung up.

He stared at his phone, the rest of them all standing around like a bomb had just detonated. Kate vaguely heard someone ask where to find the nuts but none of them looked, and the woman walked away, casting strange looks at them.

“I can’t believe it,” Reed said.

“When did she wake up?” Kate found herself asking, her voice distant, like someone else was speaking.

“Three weeks ago,” Reed said. “Sheila wanted to call me but Aura wanted to wait until she could tell me herself.”

“Is she going to be okay?” Brittney asked.

“She’s starting physical therapy,” Reed said, still staring at the phone. “They think another couple of weeks and she might be able to walk.”

Kate noticed her roommates kept looking at her, their expressions betraying their worry as they glanced back to Reed, who still seemed frozen. Kate couldn’t blame him, but each passing second she felt the distance grow between them.

“Sorry,” he said, shaking himself and finally looking up. “It’s just a lot to take in. Kate, are you okay?”

His blue eyes fell upon her, and although there was a weight behind them, there was also concern. He turned so he faced her, bringing them close. His effort eased her concern but the tightness in her chest remained, like bands of steel constricting her breathing.

“It’s you I’m worried about,” Kate said.

“How did she wake up?” Marta asked.

“The doctors are still trying to figure it out, but they think a new stimulus acted like a catalyst for her brain.”

Kate exchanged a worried look with Marta, her expression indicating they were thinking the same thing. The only new stimulus had been when Reed showed up at the hospital four weeks ago. Had his appearance woken her? It seemed absurd, but she couldn’t bring herself to reject it outright.

“Are we getting cereal or not?” Jackson asked, striding up with a gallon of milk. He frowned when he caught sight of the circle crowded around Reed. “What’s the deal? Did I miss something?”

“I’ll explain later,” Shelby said, grabbing Jackson’s elbow and dragging him down the aisle. “Bye girls,” she cast over her shoulder. “Reed, we’ll be in the car when you’re ready.”

“We have a few things to grab,” Marta said, giving Kate’s arm a sympathetic squeeze. “We’ll check out and meet you in the car.”

“I’m not leaving,” Ember said, folding her arms. “Anything Reed is about to say can go through me.”

“Ember,” Kate said, but Reed looked to the diminutive redhead, whose eyes flashed dangerously.

“I’m not going to hurt your friend,” Reed said quietly.

Ember locked eyes for several seconds, and then abruptly stabbed a finger at him. “If you do, I hurt you back.”

She spun on her heel and followed the girls down the hall, the unicorns and rainbows on her pajamas dancing angrily. Reed chuckled under his breath when she disappeared around the corner.

“Even wearing unicorns, the girl is intimidating.”

“Those are her favorite pajamas,” Kate said.

Alone in the aisle, she realized it was probably one in the morning, and they had just been on her bad date an hour ago. She grimaced and looked away, wishing she hadn’t planned an actual bad date the same day Aura called.

“What was that look for?” Reed asked.

“I just took you on a terrible date on purpose,” she said. “And now Aura calls.”

“Are you worried?”

“Should I be?” her heart thudded against her ribs.

He lifted her chin so she looked into his eyes. “Never,” he said softly. “Awake or asleep, distant or close, Aura is merely a friend from my past.”

“You can’t say you don’t feel anything,” Kate said.

“The opposite,” Reed said. “I’m relieved and worried and nervous—but most of all I’m afraid for you, that you’ll think this changes our relationship.”

“How can it not?” Kate dared to ask.

“You don’t need to be afraid,” he said, wrapping his strong arms around her shoulders. “She’s just a friend.” He said it with a trace of amusement that made her laugh into his shoulder.

“I’ve heard that before,” she said.

She clung to him, hoping that what he said was true, but Aura was his first love. Kate had shared a few dates with Reed. How could that stand against a ten-year friendship and three years of unrequited love?

“I can practically hear the thoughts churning in your head,” he said.

“Sorry,” she said. “I just can’t stop comparing—”

“Wait,” he said. “I’ve just had an idea.”

Confused by his response, she tried to gauge the sudden mischief in his eyes. The weight of Aura’s reappearance remained on his face, but it was now overshadowed by determination. He caught her hand and headed deeper into the store.

“Where are we going?”

“I already had the next challenge date planned,” he said. “But I’ve just decided to tweak it. I know you’re worried, and the moment we separate, your worry will just get worse.”

“Is that what you think will happen?” she asked, a bit of a challenge in her voice.

He cast a look back, a smile on his face. “There’s the courage I love to see. Am I wrong?”

“No,” Kate said.

He led her into the camping section and came to a halt, spinning to face her. His expression had suddenly turned serious and a little nervous, causing her smile to falter. He seemed to wrestle with a choice before finally he shrugged.

“Aura wants to visit me,” he said.

Her smile evaporated and she spoke woodenly. “When?”

“A few weeks. I told you so you’d have all the bad news. Now you get the good news. I’m starting our date early.”

“What do you mean, early?” she asked. “The next challenge date isn’t for two weeks.”

“I know,” he said. “But we start tonight.”

She suddenly realized she was standing next to sleeping bags and raised an eyebrow. “Just what are you suggesting?”

He grinned and motioned to the nearest. “I’m suggesting a marathon date. We stick together for two entire weeks.”

“And why do you need the sleeping bag?”

“So I can sleep on your living room floor,” he said. “That is, if you accept the invite . . .”