now there were flower vases everywhere-big fancy ones from Carlos's company, kind ones from founda

lejandro's single orchid

en blinds. The doctors had taken away most of the machines, saying I was getting better

y," Alejandro said, s

the nurse to help me wash it. It's amazin

pointing to the c

ooked different today-more relaxed in dark jeans and a simple gray

asked, keeping h

st devoted regrets." I couldn't

Dan

" I made quote marks with my fingers. "She says my home

ll smile. "And how do you fe

s a cat in water." I si

ly. "You're very good at t

se thread on the blanket. "What bri

his bag. "Actually, I

oft under my fingers. When I opened it, bla

I asked, soun

dy to write your tru

ly moved by the gift. "What makes

mine. "Especially those who'

the journal, holding it like it could save

n his knees. "It's about being honest. Sometimes we need to see

ke you've don

that kept me sane. Everything I couldn't say out loud, I wro

t back to living

still on that path. Some days

e that had been sleeping for a long time. How many year

fore emotion could overwhelm me. "Would you... would you mind helping me? I d

es. "You want to control when

ed that he under

feet, shall we?" Alejandro

ng self-conscious in the thin hospital gown

is voice was quietly con

ovements, he helped me turn until my feet touched the cold floor. Pain

ush." The gentle sound of his voice s

," I insisted. "I

y words. Slowly, he supported my weight as I ro

ouraged as I found my bal

s old," I made a face

. "Small victories, Emily. Sometimes

making up for my weakness. When my legs almost gave out, his arm slipped around my wais

e said, his voice

more basic. Our eyes met, and for a breathless moment, time stopped. His fingers tightened

learing his throat. "Maybe we should try the

it over my shoulders, his movements respectful yet personal. This mix of care and

elevator," he explained, helping me sit in the

and visiting families, a strange feeling of freedom washed o

ches placed among flowering plants and small trees. The leaves rustled gently in the afterno

try on y

pull away from the electric feeling that passed between us. His eyebrow

. My arm was linked through his for support. The afternoon sun warmed my face, an

appy," Alej

swered honestly. "It

idden by a flowering hibiscus. "

ter pulling me from a wrecked car and sitting by my

hat happened before the accident? You weren't just d

y surprise. I stared at my hands, twisted

oftly. "But sometimes a stranger is eas

red. "The ones closest to me a

owed in his eyes

away of my confidence, the careful cutting off from friends and family? How Carlos had systematica

k," I said finally. "It's not what

he acc

d something I couldn't un-see, couldn't make excuses for. So I

ment, his face thoughtful. When h

. But I know when someone is ju

y eyes. "How can you

e was gentle. "You build a life around not having pain rather than

something loose inside me, a dam h

y voice barely above a whisper. "The real me disapp

on the bench between us. "The woman who criticized my building designs without hesitation? Who's planning a children's hosp

ing. I turned my hand under his, our palms meeting, fingers intertwining wi

whispered. "F

t shines so brightly," he

lowers around us and Alejandro's hand warm in mine, I glimpsed a future I'd stopped believing could exist-one where I wasn't merely s

d softened. "Can I as

t beating fast wi

let me help you? Whatever you need... a

essure. It was the possibility of choice, of cont

finally managed t

a way that made my heart skip. "Then friends we shall be. Starti

him, our bodies lined up naturally, shoulders touching, steps matching. W

said. "What did you write that

bout anger-at God, at the drunk driver who killed Laura, at myself for not being in the car with her.

g strange on my tongue. "I'm not su

y hand gently. "Most people can't see it, but it's essential for everything

, water flowing over smooth sto

itect," I teased lightly, surpri

onal hazard. Everything becomes

this?" I gestured between

esitation. "Strong but flexible.

rprise. I turned to face him fully, my h

t I expected, A

id you

recks and sits with them through the night. Not someone who brings orchids i

lity he hadn't shown before. "Maybe we rec

aniela appeared, her calculating eyes scanning the garden before landing on us, on my hand resting on

steps, she started toward us, her designer purse and shopping bags swinging from her wr

s the garden. "What a surprise to find you ou

ne, his hand covering mine protec

, for my ears alone. "

ck and met her gaze directly. The journal Alejandro had given me felt lik

knew exactly what th