In Love With Him

Chapter 32

Kennedy’s POV

The world was hazy.

At first, it felt like I was floating underwater—warm, still, quiet. Then slowly, the ache in my body started to creep in, dull and heavy, like I’d been trampled by a parade of elephants.

I groaned softly as I stirred, trying to shift in the bed, but a sharp sting shot through my side. I winced.

“Hey, beautiful,” a soft, melodic voice said.

I blinked slowly, the blur of fluorescent lights above me sharpening until I could make out a face. A young nurse, probably mid-twenties, stood beside my bed holding a clipboard. She had a kind smile, big eyes, and gentle hands.

“How you feelin’?” she asked sweetly, setting the chart down and brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Like I got hit by a truck,” I rasped. My voice sounded foreign in my ears—weak and scratchy.

She chuckled softly. “Yeah, I bet. Take it easy, sweetheart. You just had some serious surgery. Gave everyone quite the scare.”

I blinked again, trying to piece everything together. “Surgery?”

“You don’t remember?”

I shook my head slowly, regretting it immediately.

“Your pancreas was inflamed. Really badly. If your boyfriend hadn’t gotten you here when he did—well...” She trailed off with a gentle smile, then patted my hand. “He’s been asking about you every five minutes. You’re a lucky girl.”

Boyfriend?

Before I could correct her, or even find the energy to react, the nurse checked a few more vitals and adjusted something on the IV stand. I just laid there, stunned and silent, watching her move around like I was in a dream.

Dominic brought me here?

A knock came at the door, and then it slowly creaked open.

“Sweetheart?” my dad’s voice broke slightly.

He stepped inside, eyes red and glossy. His expression crumpled the moment he saw me awake, and he crossed the room in three large steps. He leaned over and gently hugged me, kissing the top of my head like I was still six years old.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered between each kiss. “I should’ve taken you to the hospital sooner—I didn’t know—I’m so sorry.”

“Dad,” I said, voice quiet. “It’s okay.”

Helen came in behind him, wrapping her arms around both of us. “You scared the hell out of us, Kennedy. When the hospital called, I couldn’t breathe.”

I smiled weakly, still dazed, still tired.

“Where’s Dominic?” I asked, and I couldn’t even stop myself.

Helen smiled gently. “He went down to the cafeteria to get some air. He’s been up all night.”

A strange warmth bloomed in my chest, and I looked away quickly.

They stayed for a while, holding my hand, smoothing my hair, talking about calling Max later to check in. Eventually, Dad stood, saying they’d come back before visiting hours were over. Helen kissed my cheek and whispered that she’d bring me a smoothie tomorrow.

And then they left.

The room felt quiet. Still. Almost peaceful.

Until I heard the door creak open again.

I turned my head slowly, and there he was—Dominic—standing in the doorway like some reluctant guardian angel, one hand behind his back.

He looked... hesitant. Like he wasn’t sure if I wanted him there.

But then I smiled—small, tired, but real.

Dominic’s shoulders dropped just a little. He stepped inside, moving toward me carefully like he didn’t want to make the bed shift. With a soft grin, he pulled his hand from behind his back, revealing a bouquet of flowers—deep purple and royal blue with little flecks of white baby’s breath.

They were beautiful. Not grocery store roses. These felt... thoughtful. Personal.

“For you,” he said, voice rough.

He sat gently on the edge of the bed, careful not to jostle me. His eyes searched mine with a vulnerability I’d never seen on him before. Not fully.

“You scared the s**t outta me, princess,” he said softly, almost like it hurt him to admit it. “Thought I was gonna lose you.”

I swallowed hard. My chest tightened.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

Dominic shook his head, taking my hand carefully between his palms. “You’re not the one who should be sorry.”

I watched his jaw tense. He looked like he wanted to say more—like there was a confession sitting heavy on the tip of his tongue—but he didn’t say it.

I squeezed his hand gently.

“Let’s start over,” I whispered. “Fresh start.”

His lips curved up into that familiar smirk, softer this time. Realer.

“Anything you want, princess.”

The room was quiet again, just the low beeping of machines and the soft hum of air vents above. Dominic hadn’t moved much since he sat down. He stayed beside me pulling a chair closer, one hand still loosely holding mine, his thumb absentmindedly brushing over my knuckles like he wasn’t even aware he was doing it.

I didn’t mind.

Actually, I kind of liked it.

We didn’t say much. We didn’t have to. It felt like whatever words needed to be said had already passed silently between us, the way his voice cracked when he said he almost lost me... that was enough for now.

Then, like a thunderstorm crashing through a quiet meadow, chaos exploded through the hospital room door. Dominic pulled his hand back quickly.

“Oh my god!” Marty gasped as she rushed in, wide-eyed and loud as ever. “Girl, you look like you got stabbed! What the hell happened?!”

Right behind her, Finn strutted in with his usual flair, gasping dramatically and stumbling backward like he just witnessed a crime scene. “Oh honey, no offense, but you look like actual hell. And like someone dipped you in ghost sweat.”

I scoffed, giving them both a half-laugh, half-eye roll. “Wow. Thanks. You guys really know how to make a girl feel special.”

Dominic smirked quietly, shaking his head as he stood. “I’m gonna hit the café. I’ll be back in a bit.”

He caught my eye briefly, the corner of his mouth twitching into a soft smile before he disappeared out the door.

As soon as he was gone, Marty wasted no time sliding into the chair he had been sitting in, swinging her legs up over the armrest like she owned the place. Finn, of course, took it a step further, gently draping himself across my legs like a dramatic Victorian heroine.

“Well, someone’s milking it with the brooding stepbrother,” Marty sing-songed with a raised brow.

Finn added, “You guys good now, orrrr...?”

I hesitated, glancing at the door before I answered. “We agreed to… a fresh start.”

Marty and Finn exchanged a look, matching little knowing smiles blooming on both of their faces. Ugh. That look. The I-know-you-better-than-you-know-yourself look.

Marty leaned in closer, eyes narrowed with curiosity. “Uh-huh. A fresh start. And does this ‘fresh start’ include any fresh lips involved, or...?”

I blushed instantly, but before I could fire back a sarcastic response, Marty changed directions like a ping-pong ball.

“Okay but seriously,” she said, tone shifting. “What the hell happened with Liam? I saw him kiss you. And then poof you disappeared.”

Finn shot up from my legs and sat up, suddenly more interested. “Yes! Spill! I want every awkward, squirmy, cringe-inducing detail.”

I exhaled, letting my head fall back into the pillows. “It was... awful.”

Marty clutched her invisible pearls. “No!”

Finn gasped dramatically again. “Oh my God. Was it slimy? Tell me it was slimy.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, just a little. “I don’t know. It was... he was too aggressive. Like, his lips were stiff. And wet. And—ugh—he tasted like way too much mint. I could practically taste his Altoid addiction.”

Both of them burst out laughing.

“Not the Mint Monster!” Finn wailed.

I covered my face with one hand, shaking my head. “I wanted to like it. I really did. I thought I would. But... it just wasn’t—”

Marty leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. “It wasn’t Dominic.”

And just like that, my whole body went hot.

My face turned red, my stomach flipped, and I shot her a glare that was probably more flustered than threatening. “Shut up.”

Finn leaned in, grinning. “Girl, you didn’t deny it.”

I groaned into my blanket, muttering, “I just had surgery. Shouldn’t there be some kind of law against being interrogated in a hospital bed?”

But Marty just grinned wider, poking me gently in the shoulder. “You’re totally falling for him.”

I didn’t say anything.

I didn’t need to.

Because deep down... I already knew they were right.