Page 123 of When You Wish Upon a Wideout
Sienna’s head flew to the left, where Beau approached from down the hall. He stopped a few feet away since Sienna was still in front of Grace’s open door and motioned with his head for her to follow him into an empty waiting room.
“You didn’t have to come back,” Sienna said with a heavy sigh before she walked straight into him, dropping her head to his shoulder.
Beau wrapped his thick arms around her. “I didn’t go anywhere,” he said into her hair. “I didn’t want to be in the way, but I wanted to be here just in case.”
Winding her arms around Beau’s waist, Sienna nuzzled closer.Just in case it was bad news, she thought.He stayed just in case I needed to fall apart, so I wouldn’t have to do it in an empty bathroom stall alone.Sienna tightened her hold on Beau and stayed silent. Her body leaned against him, not because she needed him to hold her up so she wouldn’t fall, but because, for once, it was nice to share in the relief instead of bearing the load of the fear on her own.
“I don’t want you to be my just-in-case person,” she confessed, her voice quiet but confident. “I want you to be my always person.”
“Me too.” Beau swayed side to side, and Sienna relaxed into him.
His presence, his hold, told her one thing—heads or tails, I love you no matter what.
* * *
“That isnota word.”
“Is too.”
“Is not,” Beau countered.
Another lighter, familiar voice chimed in. “I think Grace is right.”
Sienna pushed up from the far too small, too hard couch. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, finding Beau across from her on the other side of Grace’s bed, focusing on the Scrabble board. Grace sat at the head with her arms folded, and across from her, Sienna realized, was Molly.
“She lives,” Grace rejoiced.
“Hi, Molly.” Sienna sat. “What are you doing here?”
Grace’s friend raised her bald head, turning her focus from the board to Sienna. “Round seven of eight today.” She beamed and Sienna smiled back. “I get to ring the bell soon.”
“For thelasttime,” Grace added, smiling at her friend.
Oh, I hope so, Sienna thought, looking at Molly. She only wanted the same experience for her that she did for Grace—one with an end in sight.
“Take that,” Beau celebrated, placing tiles on the board.
Grace looked skeptical. “Wideout istwowords.”
“Is not,” Beau sang.
“I think he’s right,” Molly said, and Beau stuck his tongue out at Grace before giving Molly a fist bump.
Sienna smiled. “How long have you been here?” she asked him. Sienna had hardly slept between all the night checks.
“Came by after my workout,” he said, motioning to the box on the high-top table beside the bed. “Brought donuts.”
“And books,” Molly added before smiling at Grace
Looking at the Barnes & Noble bag, Sienna raised an eyebrow. “Are bookstores even open this early?” Beau shrugged at her.For you, I guess they can always be open.But Sienna didn’t mind favors being called in when Grace was in the hospital. She turned to the box of donuts, lifting the lid, still too tired to eat. “The nurses definitely deserve it.”
Beau reached into the small velvet bag for new tiles, only looking at Sienna when she yawned heavily into her hand. “Do you want to go take a nap at my place?” he asked. “I can hang here.”
“And get your butt kicked.”
Ignoring Grace’s comment, Beau motioned at the door. “Go and get in bed. Joe will let you up.”
Sienna shook her head, stretching. “No, that’s okay.” She raised her hands to remove the messy bun from her head, grimacing at the dirty strands between her fingers.
