Burn (Breathless #3)(103)

“Okay, when?” Jace asked.

“It will have to be in a couple of months. I want to make sure that Josie is recovered enough to enjoy her big night. The last thing she’d want is to show up to her own event with bruises and a cast. But we need to start working on it now so everything goes off without a hitch.”

“You got it,” Gabe said.

“Thanks,” Ash murmured. “Means a lot you always having my back.”

Mia moved from Gabe’s hold and hugged Ash fiercely. “We love you, Ash. And we love Josie too. We’ll be happy to help. Just let us know if you need anything else.”

Ash’s lips curved into a half smile. “As a matter of fact there is.”

“Name it,” Bethany said.

“Need you to stay here in case Josie wakes up again. I have a ring to buy.”

Mia’s and Bethany’s delighted smiles warmed his heart. He squeezed both women to him and dropped kisses on their temples.

And then he went to Tiffany’s to buy Josie’s ring.

Chapter thirty-five

Josie managed to sit up in bed propped on several pillows, no small feat considering the pain in her ribs. But after several days and a move from ICU to a step-down unit and finally to the floor, she was able to sit up and actually move some. More importantly, she was able to eat!

Not that they’d busted out the real food or even something remotely palatable, but she’d been so hungry she had fallen on the jello and pudding like it was manna from heaven.

Ash had gone out to meet Gabe, Jace, Mia, Bethany and even Brittany and he was bringing them all in to visit with her. She was extremely self-conscious about the fact she looked terrible. But she was so anxious to have company she didn’t care. All the makeup in the world wouldn’t hide her face, but hopefully the bruising would heal quickly.

Already some had faded from the purple, almost black, to green and yellow. She didn’t even want to know what the rest of her body looked like. She’d made it a point not to look when Ash had helped her shower.

The door opened and she eagerly looked up to see everyone spill through the door. Ash led the way and right behind him were Mia, Bethany and Brittany. They swarmed her bed, giving gentle hugs and exclaiming how much better she looked. They were total liars but she loved them for it.

To her surprise, Kai Wellington came in with Gabe and Jace. She arched an eyebrow in Brittany’s direction and Brittany blushed like a schoolgirl getting caught making out with the quarterback.

“He insisted on coming,” Brittany whispered. “He hasn’t left me alone since this happened.”

“Damn right,” Kai growled. “Not going to let some f**ker get to you and hurt you. Bad enough he got to Josie.”

“He sounds so possessive,” Josie whispered to Brittany. “I take it things are going well?”

Brittany’s eyes glowed and she nodded vigorously. “Oh yes. Definitely.”

Josie squeezed her hand with the fingers that weren’t casted. “I’m glad.”

“How are you feeling?” Mia asked anxiously.

“Better,” Josie said.

At Ash’s skeptical look, she flushed. “Okay. Not wonderful, but I am better. I can sit up now without feeling like my chest caught on fire. And I can breathe normally again. They took the oxygen off this morning.”

“That’s wonderful, Josie!” Bethany exclaimed. “We’ve been so worried about you.”

“How are you guys?” Josie asked in a low voice. But her question was mainly directed at Mia. Ash had told her about Mia’s history with Charles Willis.

“We’re okay,” Mia said, but her eyes were haunted. “I still feel like it’s my fault. I mean I’m the one who pissed him off.”

Josie shook her head and winced at the pain it caused. “He’s an ass**le, Mia. You aren’t to blame for his actions.”

“Got that right,” Ash growled.

“I hate that I share a last name with him,” Bethany said, pulling a face. “I don’t want anyone thinking we’re related!”

Mia rolled her eyes. “Like Willis isn’t a common last name?”

“You won’t have to worry about that much longer, baby,” Jace said, satisfaction written on his face. “Your last name will soon be Crestwell.”

Bethany’s face flushed with happiness and she automatically stared down at the ring on her left hand. And it was a gorgeous ring. Huge diamond but it didn’t look gawdy at all. It was tastefully expensive and it suited her perfectly.

“Speaking of, have you set a date yet?” Josie asked.

Jace looked unhappy and Bethany laughed. “We’re working on it. I wasn’t planning anything until you’re completely recovered and can stand for me at my wedding.”

Josie’s heart warmed and she smiled big, allowing her pleasure to show.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” she said. “Even if I’m still in a cast. Don’t wait on me! I don’t want to delay your big day.”

“It wouldn’t be the same without you,” Bethany said, putting her hand on Josie’s. “I want you all there. Brittany too! All the girls will be there. Caro has promised that she’ll come even if it means flying in from Vegas.”

Kai cleared his throat. “That won’t be a problem. If Brittany and I are in Vegas by then we’ll fly in on my jet and bring Brandon and Caro with us.”