Page 113 of Enchanted

Scratch that, it was already lost. Think it had been since I got into his car and asked him to take me away from my pain.

He’d done just that, and so much more.

“We’re seeing her in her office, so it’s fine,” I reassured him. “She’s going to be thrilled to bits.”

Anxiety filled me as we made our way through the familiar corridors, but then Rami’s hand slid into mine.

I wasn’t alone.

He kept hold of me right until we were at Lily’s door.

“There’s my favourite patient,” she said as I entered, standing up and opening her arms for a hug.

“I bet you say that to all the boys.” I stepped into her embrace and gave her a fierce squeeze.

“Only the ones who bring eye candy,” she quipped, looking over my shoulder. “Speaking of which…”

“I’m Rami. It’s wonderful to meet you.” He extended the hand not clutching the flowers and bag to Lily. “I hear you’re the one who took such good care of Ethan here when he was sick.”

Lily smiled as she shook his hand. “We take care of everyone who passes through those doors. It’s what we do.”

“Which is why I’ve brought you these.” He held out the flowers and bag. “There’s three boxes of chocolates in there—one for you, one for the ward, and one for a Ms. Elizabeth to steal.”

Lily laughed uproariously as she accepted the gifts. “I see Ethan’s been keeping you informed of all the gossip. Thank you. You didn’t need to do this, but it’s very much appreciated.”

“I haven’t known Ethan long, but he’s a very special man,” he said. “I’m grateful that you were here when no one else was.”

Lily snorted as she deposited the gifts on her desk and bustled to the sink to wash her hands. “Am I to hope you’ve finally traded Dave in for this upgrade here?”

Rami coughed to cover his laugh. I did no such thing, letting my own laughter ring through the air. “You’re terrible, Lily. Men aren’t cars.”

“No, cars are more bleedin’ useful than Dave,” she muttered. “Up on the scales with you, let’s get you weighed.”

I hopped on them dutifully. Her face lit up as she checked the reading. “Marvellous, Ethan. Absolutely marvellous. You’re already back up at a healthy weight.”

“Rami’s home cooking is to thank.” I patted my tummy. “Few more meals and I might need to start cutting back.”

“You’ll be gorgeous whatever you weigh,” Rami said from his position against the wall.

“You’ve got a long while before you need to worry about it, health wise,” Lily said.

“Trust me, my weight is the least of my worries.” I eyed the needle she was preparing nervously, terror suddenly thick in my veins. I wanted to ask her not to do it. To run out the door. To get into Rami’s car and beg him to take me away again, somewhere where test results couldn’t find me.

But that wasn’t the mature thing to do. Hiding wouldn’t change my reality. If the cancer was back, if they’d made a mistake previously, then it was better to know than not.

With that thought on repeat in my mind, I plastered on a smile and held out my arm for her.

Chapter 31

Rami

Anxiety hummed from Ethan. I didn’t even need the mark to tell me—I could read it in every tense line of his body. The smile he gave Lily as she took his blood was the most fake I’d ever seen him wear. Even the casual chatter he exchanged with her was stilted, his mind clearly elsewhere.

I knew where, too. I knew exactly what Ethan was frightened of. I also knew that it wasn’t going to happen. I’d told him as such.

But he hadn’t believed me.

Why would he? As far as he knew, I was just another human. A friend, perhaps more, who didn’t want him going through this journey alone.