“Red.” His pupils weren’t the same size and there was a world of pain swimming in those whiskey orbs. “Just say ‘yes, Joe.’”

Her heart stopped. “Are—are you serious?”

“As serious as falling thirty feet.”

Her heart kicked back into gear, slamming against her ribs. “But we can’t—you can’t just—”

“I’m dying,” he reminded her.

“You’re not—”

“Humor me.”

“Okay, but my job—”

“I don’t care. I don’t care if you come and go daily. Just mostly come, and be mine while you’re at it.”

She bit her lower lip. “I don’t want to go at all. I want to stay here in San Diego and run day trips. I want to be home every night. I want to be with you every night—”

“Excuse me, Mrs. Walker.” His nurse rushed into the cubicle, followed by the doctor. Both shooed her out of their way and began asking Joe questions. Did he know where he was? Did he know what year it was? Could he see clearly?

“All I know is that I hurt like hell and you’re blocking my way,” he said. “I’m trying to talk to my almost fiancée.”

The nurse frowned. “You’re already married. You don’t remember?”

A slow smile broke out over Joe’s face as he studied Summer. “Oh, yes. It’s all coming back to me.”

“Excuse me,” the nurse said to Summer. “You’re going to have to leave now.”

“Don’t go far,” Joe said. “Wife.”

Summer looked back at him. Though his eyes were closed again, his mouth was shooting her a crooked smile that flashed his dimple. “I love you, Joe.”

“Hold that thought. You’re good at that.”

Unbelievably she laughed through her tears. “Maybe I was, but no more. Life is too damn short. I’m not holding back on anything, not ever again.”

“I’ll take that in writing,” he said, just as the nurse pushed her out and slid the curtain shut in her face.

“I love that woman ridiculously,” she heard him say to the doctor, and her entire heart just tipped on its side. She turned and saw her mother waiting, her hand in Kenny’s. Next to her stood Tina. Chloe and the twins had shown up, too, and they had their arms around their mom, Chloe chomping on a big wad of bubble gum, Diana clutching a magazine, Madeline with her head on her mom’s shoulder.

The whole gang. The whole family.

Rallying for one of their own.

As she moved toward them, Summer realized they’d all stiffened, their faces drawn with fright and concern. And she realized she had tears streaming down her face and that she must look like a complete wreck. “It’s okay,” she said. “He woke up.”