“How do you know?!”
He grins shamelessly. “I read your chart.”
I groan in mortification. “Nooo. Please tell me I’m still unconscious.”
“Sorry to disappoint,” he bumps my nose with his. “And, for the record, I think it’s cute.”
“For the record, you’re a loon.”
“Don’t worry, sunshine. Your secret is safe with me.”
I don’t challenge that statement. I just sigh, snuggle into his arms, and let my eyes slip closed once more. Because I know Chase’s arms really are the safest place on earth.
***
“She’sstillsleeping? Are you sure there isn’t permanent brain damage? It can’t be healthy for her to be sleeping this much.”
“Shhh, Shelby! You’ll wake her. And wheel me closer — the baby brigade won’t let me out of this damn chair, but I don’t have to be shoved into the corner like some distant cousin.”
“Chrissy, we aren’t even related to Gemma. A distant cousin has more rights to be in here than we do.”
“It was a figure of speech. Now, wheel me closer!”
A sigh. “Fine. But seriously, do you think Chase was lying when he said she woke up this morning? Maybe the grief did something to his head. Maybe, he’s delusional and she’s really a vegetable.”
“Shelby. Don’t call Gemma a vegetable.”
My eyes peel open and pin the two of them with a glare. “Honestly, the coma was preferable to this.”
“You’re awake!” Shelby squeals, racing forward and grabbing one of my hands. Over her shoulder, I see Winston is fast asleep in his baby backpack, sleeping soundly against her body with his thumb in his mouth. “See, Chrissy, Itoldyou she wasn’t a vegetable.”
“Yeah, that’sexactlywhat you said, Shelbs.” Chrissy rolls her eyes. “How are you feeling, Gem?”
“I’m fine. Sore as all hell. And thirstier than that time you guys made me eat that pot-laced brownie, before Chrissy’s bachelorette party.”
“Here.” Shelby passes me a cup of water from the nightstand beside my bed. “Drink.”
I down the entire glass in one gulp, feeling instantly better.
“Are you okay?” I ask Chrissy, once I’ve swallowed. “You, and Winnie, and—”
“And Summer.” Chrissy finishes for me, tears in her eyes and a grin on her lips. “Our new baby girl. She’s fine — she’s perfect. We’re all perfect.”
I pause, my eyes wide. “Summer?”
Chrissy nods. “After her godmother — the best friend-slash-getaway-driver a girl could ever ask for.”
“Chris…” I trail off, my eyes filling with tears. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.” She wheels her chair forward, next to Shelby, and grabs my other hand. “Do you want to meet her?”
“Hell yes, I want to meet her.” My tears overflow.
“Well, the next one you have is definitely going to be named Shelby.” Shelby glares at Chrissy. “Right?”
Chrissy glances at her, grinning. “What if it’s a boy?”
“Shelby could be unisex.”