He glanced at the clock on the wall. Half past one. This was the first time he’d left her room. She’d insisted he go take a walk, get some fresh air, which he’d begrudgingly done . . . It was spring outside. Hints of white and green in the trees, birdsong, flowers poking their heads out . . . signs of life. Signs of life while his mom was dying. Signs of life, like the baby growing inside Tess that he’d never get to know. He’d signed away all his rights, and she was hurt and angry, not talking to him. The world was cruel sometimes. He hated the world today.
He’d gone back to the cafeteria to grab something sweet. Sugar would help. But the cookies tasted like sawdust. He was spoiled; he wanted Pistelli’s cookies, dammit.
So he left the hospital. They’d text him immediately if they needed him, and his mom seemed to be holding steady. Being away for less than an hour wouldn’t be a problem. He drove into downtown, got a pound of mixed cookies from Pistelli’s, then headed back to the hospital. Surely some decent cookies would not only cheer him up, but his mom too.
When he pushed open the door of his mom’s room, he almost dropped the box. Tess was sitting at his mother’s bedside. He blinked, gaping at her in disbelief.
Her big blue eyes locked with his. “Hi,” she whispered as she got to her feet.
“Hey.” She was there. Shock clobbered him. He didn’t take his eyes off hers, but managed to put the box of cookies on the tiny table.
Annmarie looked from one to the other, then said to her son, “I was wondering where you went. Are those Pistelli’s cookies?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He still stared at Tess as if in a trance.
“Good boy. I’ll enjoy those.” Annmarie sighed. “Know what? I’m in the way here, but I can’t go anywhere. Why don’t you two go out in the hallway and talk?”
Logan tentatively held out a hand to Tess. She went to him without hesitation and slipped her hand into his. His heart expanded at the feel of her soft, warm skin as he closed his fingers around hers. They went out to the hallway, and as soon as the door closed behind them, she turned to hold him tight.
His arms banded around her, his eyes closed as his head dropped down to rest on top of hers, and his whole body relaxed for the first time in weeks.
“I’m so goddamn glad you’re here,” he whispered roughly against her ear.
Her fingers sorted through his hair, along his neck, his back. “I’m here, honey, I’m here,” she whispered back. “I fell asleep early last night, I didn’t get your voice mail until this morning. Once I heard it, I couldn’t get here fast enough. I asked Charles to let me use the Harrison Enterprises jet . . . It was the quickest way.”
His arms tightened around her, pressing her even closer. “Thank you for that.”
“I love you,” she said, her voice breaking. She pulled back to look into his eyes. He saw her tears, saw the raw emotions there . . . and it both broke him and saved him at the same time. “I love you, Logan. So much. I’m here for you, if you’ll let me be.”
“Oh, I’ll let you. I love you too,” he said. He reached up to hold her face with gentle hands, stroking her skin as if she were the most precious thing on earth. “I should’ve told you that a long time ago.”
She stared at him, her mouth a little O of shock, apparently as surprised by his words as he’d been at seeing her.
“I have so much to tell you,” he said. “We need to talk . . . There are so many things . . .”
“We will,” she assured him. “Not right now. But we will. I’ll be here for a few days. It’s okay.”
“No, this part can’t wait. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m sorry I pushed you away. I’m sorry I hurt you. I was . . .” He sighed heavily. “I was messed up. But I’m clear now. I love you, I want you, I need you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Tess.” He brushed her hair back with both hands, then held her shoulders and looked right into her eyes. “I want us to be together. Really together. Not because of a deal, not because you’re pregnant, but because you’re my best friend and I’m crazy in love with you and I don’t ever want to let you go again. I want to make this work somehow. Do you think we can do that?”