Page 87 of From That Moment

“And I told you to shut up.”

I laughed as I said it, a watery one that echoed Prior’s.

And then I leaned forward and brushed my lips against his.

“You’re very lucky the nurse let me brush my teeth before you got here.”

“I don’t care. You could stink, and you could have horrible breath, and I wouldn’t care.”

“That needs to be a Hallmark card.”

“Why are you so much better at words than me right now? You were unconscious, and yet I’m the one who can’t think of anything to say.”

“Maybe because I had a lot of time while I was unconscious to think about what I wanted to say to you.”

“Is that true?”

“It sounds like a great line, doesn’t it?”

“I love you,” I said quickly, not wanting to hold back any longer. “I was going to tell you before this and was trying to figure out exactly what to say because I know it’s fast. Yet it doesn’t seem fast at all. I love you so much. And not only because you almost died for me. I just love you. I love the way you make me smile. I love how you look at me when I’m walking towards you. I love the way I know you’re looking at me when I walk away.” He laughed at that, and I grinned.

“I love how you helped me with my air filter, and that you’re always making sure I’m fed. I love the way you were my best blind date that wasn’t a blind date. I love the fact that you were there when I needed you, and I know you always will be. I love you, Prior. I love you with everything I am.”

“Jesus, you just took the wind out of my sails.”

I coughed. “What?”

I had this beautiful speech planned, and there you went, outdoing me. Such a Paris thing to do.”

“Am I allowed to flip you off right now while you’re in a hospital bed?”

“You can do whatever you want, Paris. You want to know why?”

“Why?”

“Because I love you. I love you so fucking much. I love the way you smile at me. The way I know you’re checking out my ass whenIwalk away.”

“That was my line.”

“And yet, it works for both of us.”

“True. You do have a beautiful ass. In jeans and in those gray sweatpants.”

“I will wear them both for you constantly."

“Also, in suit pants.”

“Noted.”

“And naked.”

He laughed then, and then winced. “Oh my God, I hurt you. I’m so sorry.”

“No, but I need to stop moving. I’ll be fine. They’ve got me drugged up.”

“Too drugged up that you don’t know what you’re saying and you’re going to forget what I’m saying?”

“No, just drugged up enough. I’m going to remember everything. This moment? I’ll fucking remember it all forever. Now, where was I?”