“Hey, Dori. It’s Aiden. I got word about Jami. How is he?”
My shoulders relax as relief swims through my blood. “Oh, Aiden. I’m so glad you got the message. I was worried?—”
“How’s Jami?”
I smile. “He just woke up, and he’s talking, so I think he’ll be okay.”
“Fuck, that’s good news. I… Fuck, it’s just good news.” Aiden coughs as if he’s trying to disguise his emotions.
My gaze reaches Jami’s. “Are you going to be able to come out here and see him?”
“No. I’m still undercover and shouldn’t even be talking to you, but they made an exception. Since he’s not a blood relative, I had to beg.”
“Well, I’m glad they made the exception. How are you otherwise?”
“Fine. Hey, look. I can’t talk long, so give Jami my best.”
“Um…okay. When do you think I’ll hear from you again?”
“It’s hard to say.” He muffles the receiver and sayssomething to someone. “Hey, Dori. I’ve got to run. Tell Jami I love him. I love you too. Don’t forget it.”
“We love you too, Aiden, and there’s no way we’d ever forget it.”
We say goodbye, and I place my phone away. “Aiden sends you his best and said to tell you he loves you.”
“He can’t get out here?” Jami’s voice is weak.
“No, but you know how that is.” I slide my hand into his.
“That I do.” He strokes my knuckles with his thumb as his gaze soaks me in. “I was dreaming about you.”
“Really? About what?” Warmth emanates around me.
“Lots of crazy things, but one thing that stands out was you told me I had to fight and come back to you.”
“That wasn’t a dream. I’ve been repeating that since they let me see you.” My love for him douses me, causing happy tears to form.
His eyebrows crease. “Then the rest wasn’t a dream either?”
“I don’t know. What do you think I said or did?”
He starts to laugh, then winces. “Shit, that hurts.”
“Should I get someone?” I start to rise.
“No. I’ll be fine.” He tugs on my hand.
I settle back in my seat. “What were you laughing about?”
“Even now, you’re trying to get around telling me how you feel. I’ve been shot, Dori. Don’t you think that deserves something?” A lazy smile curls from his lips.
I roll my eyes and laugh. “Yes, I guess it does.”
“So…”
My heart does a backward flip. “I told you to fight so you wouldn’t leave me. I told you I love you, and you had to fight so we could be together.”
His expression softens. “Do you mean that?”
