Page 77 of One Last Shot

“Mike’s awake.”

Boo nearly felt Oaken’s caught breath. “What? When?”

“Not long ago. He’s still in ICU, but he woke up for a little bit and... he was asking for you.”

Mike. Grizz?

Oaken turned to her. “I need to go talk to Mike.”

Boo stepped back. “Absolutely. No problem.” She lifted her hand to thewoman. “Hi. I’m Boo.”

“Hi,” the woman said as she walked up to Oaken. She put an arm around his neck, and he pulled her into a hug. “Mike will be so glad to see you.” Casting another look at Boo, she offered a thin-lipped smile. Then she turned back to Oaken. “I’ll meet you up there.”

He nodded and turned back to Boo as she left.

“That’s Mike’s wife.”

Oh.Oh.“She gave me a funny look.”

He frowned. “No. She’s just... you know. Stressed out, maybe.”

Mm-hmm.

“There you are!” London appeared, holding a cup of cocoa. “I was looking for you.” She came up to them, and as she did, Oaken moved away from Boo. Again. London eyed him, then looked at Boo.

“I’ll catch up with you later,” he said.

“Wait,” Boo said and reached into her pocket. “Your keys.”

He drew in a breath, and for a second, she stupidly, foolishly hoped he’d say “Wait for me.”

Instead, he held out his hand. “Thanks.” Then he walked away from her.

Aw, see?Already this had gotten away from her. She wanted to rewind time and heed her own instincts.Run.

London handed her the cocoa. “So... what did I walk into?”

Boo took a sip of the hot chocolate, suddenly wrung out. “I’m not sure, really.” They walked out into the hallway. “I think I need to go home. Can you give me a ride to the Tooth?”

“Yeah. I have keys to the rescue truck.” London pulled them out, then glanced toward the elevator banks, where Oaken was just disappearing. “You two... okay?”

Five minutes ago... yes. But something had dropped in her gut, and she couldn’t explain it. Still. “We’re fine. Just... talking about the rescue.”

“Yep. That’s it.” London smiled.

Maybe Boo was just... overreacting. Letting herfears lie to her.

Hehadquoted her his own song.

They pushed outside, and London unlocked the rescue truck. Boo slid into the passenger side, fatigue sweeping over her. Every muscle ached.

Clearly, exhaustion had her brain playing games with her. Oakenwasn’tBlake. He wasn’t going to break her heart, smear her through social media, and make her feel like she was the villain in the story.

She leaned her head back, closed her eyes.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket as London got in. She pulled it out.

A text from Austen. She opened it.