She nods, her brown eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “Duke and Cash did all the work.”

“I heard you yelled at my dad.”

She blushes. “Yeah. Well. I was a little distraught. But in my defense, you were bleeding out, and the idiot had smashed your phone.”

“He didn’t know it was me,” I say. Meg can tell I’m not defending him. She sighs sadly.

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess I thought maybe if he saw me, saving the fucking day, he would be…”

“Proud of you.”

“Or something. Anything. Instead, he was mad I crashed his suicide mission.”

“He looked genuinely sorry when he came for us. He let us treat you and didn’t prevent Duke from calling the police.”

“I’m not sure that’s enough.”

“No,” she admits softly. “But it’s worth knowing, I think.”

She changes the subject. “Cash is beside himself. I’ve been staying at your place, taking care of him. He wouldn’t leave the bed last night. Also,” she adds, turning bright pink, “I’m sleeping in your bed. I think Cash, um, sleeps better when he can smell you.”

“Cash, huh?”

Her eyes glitter with mirth as she tries not to smile. “He seems addicted.”

I make a face. “You let Cash in my bed?”

Her eyes widen innocently. “Micah. He’s been through a huge ordeal. He saved your life!”

“He’s going to be impossible after this.”

“I will not apologize.” I smile at her, and she sighs again. “Fine, I’m sorry I ruined your dog. I guess I’ll just have to keep him.”

“Or I’ll need to get a bigger bed.”

She looks adorably pleased with herself but lifts a casual shoulder like, If you must.

“How’s Duke?”

“Good! You just missed him, actually. He had to go to work. You scared a good five years off his life, but he was incredible. I don’t know if we would have found you in time without him. I invited him to Thanksgiving.”

“What day is that?”

“Thursday. It’s Tuesday now. Don’t worry, I begged Duke to pick up Vada. You’re off the hook. But that might mean we won’t be around to get you home tomorrow.”

“I get to come home tomorrow?”

“Tentatively. Now that you’re awake and lucid, they can run their tests.”

“Good.”

“Micah?” She presses her lips together, working them between her teeth anxiously.

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

My heart speeds up, and I fall fully against my pillow, feeling my grin take over my face. “I love you, too.”

“Let’s not do that again, okay?”

“I think I can manage that.”

“I’m gonna go get your nurse.”

“Okay.”

“I love you,” she says again, and I give a low chuckle, a little confused.

“I love you, too?”