One Good Reason (Boston Love #3)(97)

Phoebe and Nate are up first.

“Tink!” Phoebe throws herself onto my hospital bed, knocking the wind out of me. I wrap an awkward arm around her back and try not to wheeze as she crushes my sore ribs.

“Hi, Phoebe.”

“You’re hurting her,” Parker points out in a gruff voice.

“Sorry! Sorry.” Phoebe grimaces. “I’m just so relieved to see you sitting up, talking. You scared the crap out of us!”

“I didn’t mean to,” I say, laughing lightly. “Swear it.”

“You’re okay, though?” Phoebe’s voice is concerned. “Because, I hate to break this to you, but you’re kind of obligated to be a bridesmaid at my wedding. Mostly because I already ordered a dress for you.”

My eyes widen. “You just got engaged, like, last week.”

“It is never too early to start contemplating fashion choices,” she informs me very seriously. “So, what do you say?”

My eyebrows lift.

“Will you be my bridesmaid or not?”

“Oh,” I murmur, my heart squeezing. “Yeah. I suppose I could do that. But, I might not be any good at it. I’ve never been anyone’s bridesmaid, before.”

“Oh.” Phoebe waves my words away. “Me neither. I’m pretty sure we just use it as an excuse to eat too many wedding cake samples and drink wine.”

“Well, in that case, I’m in.” I smile.

She grabs my hand and squeezes. “I’m glad.”

Nate steps up to the bed. “Zoe.”

My eyes snap to his expression, which is even more serious than usual.

“I want to apologize.” His dark eyes hold mine captive. “I made a miscalculation when it came to Birkin. Thought he wasn’t a threat. That’s on me.”

“Nate, it’s not your fault,” I assure him. “I don’t blame you at all. No one blames you. Trust me.”

His eyes slide to Parker and, for the first time, I sense the frosty air between the two men.

I feel my eyes widen. “Oh, please don’t tell me you two are fighting over this.”

“Damn right we’re fighting,” Parker growls. “You never should’ve been at risk.”

“I apologized and acknowledged that fact,” Nate snaps back.

“Boys!” I hiss. “Stop. You’re both being ridiculous.”

“Seriously,” Phoebe chimes in. “Zoe is fine. Lancaster is in jail, and so is the bastard who hurt her. They’ll be financially responsible for every LC employee’s healthcare costs for the rest of their lives, while rotting in prison.” She shrugs. “In my book, that’s as close to a fairy tale ending as you can get.”

I smile at my friend. “Thanks for coming.”

“You kidding?” She leans down and kisses my cheek. “I’ll be here until you’re ready to go home. And when you’re home, I’ll visit you there, too, and cook you whatever you want.” She grins. “I’m a fabulous cook. Anything you want, just name it and I’ll make it for you.”

“Chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting,” I say immediately.

“Consider it done.”

After Nate and Phoebe leave, Chase and Gemma come in. Followed by Chrissy and Shelby. Followed by Lila and Colton. And, finally, by Luca, who needs no entourage.

I see his big frame fill the doorway and feel my eyes start to tingle. To my great surprise, I see Luca and Parker exchange nods and even shake hands before Parker slips out the door to give me some privacy with my best friend.

Luca’s eyes are red when he stops beside my bed.

“Babe.”

“Hey, Luke.”

“Not gonna lie: you’ve looked better.”

“Thanks, buddy.”

He smirks. “You keep winding up in danger, I’m gonna have to put some kind of tracking device on you.”

“Creep.”

“I mean it.” His light blue eyes hold mine. “Then again, I suppose I’m not the one who has to look out for you, now. Time to pass the torch, I suppose.”

My eyes water. “I’ll always need you to look out for me, Luca. You’re my brother.”

He looks swiftly toward the wall and I know it’s because he’s holding his emotions tightly in check. When he speaks, his voice is gruffer than usual.

“Could’ve done worse.”

“What?” I ask.

He looks back at me with red eyes. “Parker. You could’ve done worse.” He shrugs. “He’s not a bad guy.”

Wow. That’s the closest thing to an endorsement I’ve ever heard Luca give.

“Thanks, Luke.”

He scowls. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I’m gonna be braiding friendship bracelets with the guy any time soon. But for the past few days, he’s never left your side. And that night, when you went missing — I’ve never seen anyone like that. He was like...”

“Like what?”

“A man possessed.” Something flashes in his light blue eyes. “He loves you, you know.”

“I know,” I whisper softly.

“You love him, too?”

I nod miserably. “I do.”