Luke put his arm around me, and I leaned into his side and sobbed. “She was my best friend. He killed my best friend.”
He didn’t say anything. He just held me and lowered his head to mine, rubbing my back as I cried. My throat hurt, my chest was sore from the stitches, and I felt completely exhausted, but the tears wouldn’t stop. After my cries subsided, he handed me a tissue and offered me a drink of juice from a Styrofoam cup. I set Briette’s ring on the table beside my bed. The police would want to see it, and hopefully it could be returned to Caleb.
Luke watched me release the ring, and he grasped my hand. The raw pain in his eyes mirrored my own. He knew what I was feeling. That’s why he didn’t say anything, because he knew there were no words that would help me feel better. Nothing would bring Briette back.
When I had drained my reservoir of tears, and my body was left trembling, he embraced me gently and whispered, “I’m sorry.”
I lifted my head so I could see his face. “Thank you. Me too.”
He nodded and handed me another tissue.
Lorea burst into the room. “Adri. Nide lagune—my friend, I was so worried.” Dark lines of mascara were smeared across her cheeks. She moved as if to hug me, then stopped when she saw the bandage.
“It’s okay. I’m—Luke saved me.”
Chapter 27
Key to My Heart
Add this special touch to the ceremony. Attach a key to the groom’s boutonniere and the matching lock to the bride’s bouquet.
Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com.
Lorea hugged Luke and cried. “If you hadn’t gone to her house . . .” She covered her mouth and sank to the edge of the hospital bed.
“Lorea, you saved Adri,” Luke said.
I reached my hand out to her, and she clasped it. “I’m so sorry that he hurt you.”
“He would’ve killed me if it weren’t for you and Luke.”
“But still, look at what he did to you.” She indicated the bandage poking out of the top of the hospital gown.
“You did the right thing,” Luke said. “I think Adri likes me now.”
I grimaced. “But how did you even know where to reach Luke?”
“I took the card out from under the vase and put his number in my phone. Just in case you tossed it.” She ducked her head. “Then he came by the shop, wanting to talk to you, so I told him where you lived and that he needed to try harder.”
“Thank goodness you’re so bullheaded.”
We all laughed.
“I’m going to take you back to my house. And I passed Tony on the way in. He said your parents are coming.”
“My poor family. My mom will never let me out of her sight again.”
“I guess she can help us with preparations for Natalie’s wedding.” Lorea lifted a sack onto the bed. “The doctor said that I could take you home with me—you need supervision. Your parents are going to stay with me too. I brought some of my things for you to change into, unless you want to wear that lovely outfit home.”
I wrinkled my nose and reached for the sack. “Thanks.”
Luke cleared his throat. “I guess that’s my cue.” He stood, pushing his hands into the pockets of his jeans and looking at me.
“Actually, stay right here. I need to get Adri some water.” Lorea gave him a pointed look as she left. I followed her gaze to Luke, and his face broke into a wide grin.
“What’s that about?” I asked.
“Well, as she mentioned, I stopped by your shop earlier today when you were out. You really have done a great job with your wedding business.”
“Thank you. That means a lot, coming from someone who doesn’t believe in marriage.”
Luke’s shoulders dropped. “I thought you’d forgiven me for all my past sins.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re right. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try my best to convert you from your unholy beliefs.”
He held out his hand. “You’re on.”
“For what?”
“I’d like you to try to convert me.” He stepped closer and grabbed my hand. “Would you go out with me?”
He still wanted to date me after every crazy thing we’d been through? My mouth started to drop open, but I clamped it shut. I didn’t understand Luke or his persistence in asking me out. He watched me with a smile on his face—that cute dimple in his chin made him even more endearing. I pulled my hand from his and touched the edge of the bandage—it felt itchy against my neck. My heartbeat sped up, and I closed my eyes, not wanting to go where my thoughts were taking me. Luke was quiet until I opened my eyes.
“You didn’t call, so I thought I’d give it one more shot.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “Lorea made me promise that the next time I saw you I would ask you out and that I couldn’t take no for an answer.”
I lifted my eyes to the ceiling. “That girl.” My heart raced as Luke took my hand again.
“I thought this was bad timing, but apparently she’s holding me to my promise.” He blew out a breath. “I always keep my word. Adri, I’d really like a chance to get to know you. When you get feeling better, would you consider going out with me?”
I blinked back tears. There were too many emotions swirling around me. I had worked so hard to convince myself to like Dallas that now I didn’t trust my feelings. The movement it took to lift my head off the pillow caused more pain in my sore chest than I’d bargained for. I winced and sucked a breath through clenched teeth.
Luke put his hand on the small of my back and helped me to an upright position. “What do you need? You sound like you’re in pain.”
“It’s just really sore.” I indicated my chest.
“I heard
