“I wish I had more answers for you.”

She studied Amanda’s face. They might not have been close, but there had always been a bond. Amanda knew something she wasn’t sharing. “I know you’ve gotten close to Jax since the accident.”

Amanda chuckled. “I wouldn’t say that.”

“I’m not asking you to betray her trust.”

“It has nothing to do with betraying Jax, and more about you and her talking openly. If you want to learn about her life, ask her.”

Gretchen wanted to laugh. “She won’t answer me. Every time I try to scratch the surface with her, she shuts down.”

Amanda was grinning.

“Why are you smiling like a maniac?”

“Your speech is incredible.”

Gretchen hadn’t even realized how little she had struggled through her last few sentences. “I guess I really earned my ice cream, then.”

“Did someone say ice cream?” Wyatt walked into the room, excitement lighting up his eyes.

“We don’t get ice cream. Only Gretchen does,” Amanda said with a pout.

“I’m having flashbacks to senior year.” Wyatt leaned over the bed to kiss Gretchen’s cheek. “Hey, babe.”

“Wyatt.” Gretchen warmed at his familiar face. She had seen him once since she was fully conscious, but it was only for a quick visit to catch up. “How’s Carly?”

“Ready to pop,” he said, motioning to his own belly.

“I still can’t believe she’s pregnant. Hell, I still can’t believe you two are married.” Gretchen laughed along with Wyatt.

“That’s almost exactly what you said when I proposed.”

“How did you two end up together, again? Last I remember, you were not that into Carly.”

Wyatt pulled off his knit hat and took a seat. “I was not, but we reconnected a couple years ago. It was actually at Mike Pearson’s Christmas party.”

“Mike throws great parties,” she said to Amanda. “Were we there? Did I get to watch the sparks fly?”

Wyatt shook his head. “You guys were invited, but a work thing came up and you canceled at the last minute.”

“Really? I’ve never known Jax to pick work over a party.”

“It was a work thing for you. Jax stayed home with Caleb.”

“Oh.”

“Anyway, Carly was there, and we fell easily into a groove. It was like no time passed at all. We spent most of the night catching up, and that led to a date. Turns out you were right all along, and she was perfect for me.”

Gretchen smiled warmly and looked at Amanda. “Maybe they know someone I can set you up with,” she said with a poke to Amanda’s arm.

“I’ll check my Rolodex when I get home,” Wyatt said. “Hey, Jax told me your speech has improved. She wasn’t kidding.”

“Every day is a little better. Hopefully, I’ll be back to my old self soon.”

“You already sound like her.”

“That’s not true.” At least she sincerely hoped it wasn’t true. Her old self, the self she failed to remember, was meaner. “I hit some hiccups and sometimes I’m unsure of a word, but my speech therapist made me put away the notebook and is forcing me to talk.”