When all the arrangements are made, I say, “Thanks, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You’re welcome.” Hana turns her body to face me and asks, “How are you doing?”
“I’m getting there. I just wish my eyes would heal quicker.”
She leans closer to me. “At least the color of your eyes didn’t change. Oh wow, the stitches look cool.”
“They only did a cornea transplant,” I tease her, then I explain. “It’s basically the gel layer over the iris.”
“What can you see?”
“I can see your face and what you’re wearing.” I focus on Hana’s face, then add, “Just not the finer details and no color. My sight’s still very blurry.”
She places her hand on mine. “I’m sure it will keep getting better.” Then Hana pulls back and says, “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Yeah?”
“The way you treated Fallon,” Hana begins, and instantly my stomach drops.
I square my shoulders, ready for a tongue lashing, which I totally deserve.
Hana takes a deep breath, then asks, “Why did you hurt her like that?”
“First, I blamed myself for her getting hurt, and then I didn’t want to saddle her with a blind man,” I explain.
“Have you worked through those feelings?” she asks.
“Yeah, and I explained everything to Fallon.”
“Kao,” I can hear the warning coming, “if you ever hurt my friend like that again, Jase will be the last person you should watch out for. I love Fallon more than anything, and seeing her broken like that…” Hana pauses, her voice quivering with emotion, “You didn’t just break her heart.”
Fuck, I feel like shit.
Lifting an arm, I wrap it around Hana’s shoulder and pull her into a hug. “I’m sorry, Hana.”
“Just be the man she deserves,” she murmurs as she hugs me back.
“I will.”
When we pull away from each other, Hana says, “I have to admit, tonight’s date is a good start.”
Letting out a chuckle, I say, “I hope she likes it.”
Hana gives my arm a squeeze, and then she gets up. “She will. I’ll go wake her so she can start getting ready.”
“Thank you.”
When Hana disappears down the hallway, and I stare at the coffee table. After a while, my sight sharpens, and I see clearer.
I let out a breath, and the corner of my mouth curves up.
It’s only a matter of time before I’ll be able to see fine details and color.Chapter 20FALLON“How about this dress?” Hana asks as she holds it up.
“It’s only dinner at the campus restaurant,” I argue. “Jeans and a sweater will be fine.”
“Like hell,” Hana growls. “You’re wearing a dress.” She disappears back into my closet and comes out with a pair of heels. “And these babies.”
“Hana, it’s cold out,” I complain.
“That’s why they invented coats. Stop arguing and put on some lipstick.”
We’ve been at this for hours, but I can’t help smile at her determination to get me all dressed up.
“What’s Kao wearing?” I ask before I swipe on some lipgloss.
“I’ll go check quickly.” She darts out of the room.
Getting up from the stool, I walk over to my bed, and I look down at the form-fitting white and silver gown I got from Donna Karan for the Christmas Ball. There’s a sad twinge in my chest, but knowing Hana won’t back down, I go to my closet and pick a black scarf to match the shoes, then I get dressed.
Hana comes back into my room as I carefully wrap the scarf around my neck to keep my hair in place.
She scrunches her nose at me. “I wish you wouldn’t do that. It will be dark outside soon, and no one will be able to see.”
I shake my head. “I’m not taking any chances. The scars are the last thing I want to worry about tonight.”
She pulls a disgruntled face but then smiles. “You look gorgeous.” She gestures toward my door. “Your prince awaits.”
I let out a chuckle as I pick up my clutch.
“Wait, the coat,” Hana gasps. She darts into my closet, and a couple of seconds later, she comes back with my black coat.
Taking it from her, I drape it over my arm and say, “Thanks for all the help. It was actually fun.”
“Have an amazing night.”
I walk out of my room, and when I enter the shared living space, Noah’s eyes widen on me. “Holy shit, you look stunning.”
“Thanks, Noah.”
My gaze locks on Kao, and the breath rushes from my lungs. He’s dressed to the nines in a dark charcoal suit.
God, he’s breathtaking.
He stares at me, his lips parted, and wonder settles on his face. The way Kao looks at me makes me feel beautiful, and a little of my crushed self-esteem trickles back.
I walk closer to him. “You look impressive, Mr. Reed.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “You’re a vision to behold, Miss Reyes.”
I let out a chuckle. “Are you ready?”
Kao holds his hand out to me, and I take another step closer to him. Lifting my hand, I place it in his, and instantly tingles spread up my arm.