Brody gave my hand a tug to bring me closer. But instead, I collapsed onto the bed. My body shook as I sobbed. “I was so scared I was going to lose you, too.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” His fingers ran through my hair and down my back in a soothing caress. “Car, can you give us a minute?”

Carson must’ve agreed because Brody kept stroking my hair and back. “I’m fine. And so are you.”

I sniffled into the hospital blanket, trying my best to pull it together. I focused on my breathing, the feel of Brody’s hand in my hair. Finally, I was able to sit up. “I’m so sorry.”

His brows drew together. “For what?”

“That I didn’t come with you. That—”

Brody started to shake his head and then winced. “No. I shouldn’t have pushed. I promised you I wouldn’t, and then that’s exactly what I did. I’m the one who’s sorry. I was just about to call you to apologize when that mugger surprised the hell out of me.”

My fingers fisted the blanket on his gurney. “Did the police get him?”

“No. Someone down the street saw the attack and yelled. The guy took off. But I was already hitting the pavement. Got my head pretty good.”

I reached, ever so slowly, to cup Brody’s face in my hands. His stubbled cheeks had never felt so good, the prickle of his scruff assuring me that he was here and not going anywhere. “How do you feel right now?”

His lips quirked. “They gave me a dose of pain meds before you arrived so I’m feeling better than I was. They still want me to stay overnight for observation.”

Brody seemed annoyed with the prospect, but I was relieved. The journey back to Harbor wasn’t an easy one, and I’d feel a lot better if the doctors kept an eye on him for a while longer. “I’ll stay with you.”

“You don’t have—”

“I’m staying,” I said firmly.

“I don’t want you doing something you’re not comfortable with.”

I swept my thumbs across his cheeks the same way he had with me so many times before. “I love you. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.” The simple truth hit like a freight train. Brody was my person. The first one I wanted to share both my triumphs and failures with. He was my comfort and my encourager. He’d given me everything, and I just hoped I could give him a fraction of that.

Brody tilted his head so his lips met mine in a soft caress. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I thank my lucky stars every day.”

I smiled against his mouth. “You’re stuck with me now.”

“I think I can live with that.”