Tempted

“I’m not at liberty to talk about another patient,” she says, finally managing to get the loud beeping to stop. A headache builds at my temples, and I close my eyes to ward it off.

“Can you just tell me if he’s okay?”

“He’s okay,” Drew says, leaning against the doorway.

“You’re not to be in here, sir.” The nurse lasers him with a death glare.

“It’s fine,” Harper says. “We’ll leave so you two can talk.”

They both stand and exit the room, leaving me alone with the nurse and Drew.

“You upset her, and you’re out of here,” she warns before following my family. I need to tell this hospital she deserves a raise.

He takes a seat next to me but doesn’t say a word and he doesn’t touch me. Smart man.

“Tell me about Reese,” I say, knowing he’s the answer to my intel.

“He’s stable. You experienced far worse injuries. He’ll survive . . . if I don’t kill him first.”

I scoff. “I think you’ve hurt him enough.”

Drew stiffens, catching my meaning. It isn’t fair of me to bring up his part in Alexa’s death. I can see the pain in his eyes. The regret.

“I want you to know that everything between us happened because I fell for you.”

I chew on my cheek, not knowing if he believes what he’s saying.

“I mean it, Bailey. At first, yes, I was drawn to you because you reminded me of her. But that’s not why I fell for you,” he says, eyes boring into mine. “That was all you. All Bailey Jameson. You might look like her, but that’s where it starts and stops.”

“Reese was talking to me like I was her. If he could be so easily confused, how am I supposed to believe that you weren’t confusing us as well? That you weren’t tangling your feelings for her with me. I just don’t see how that’s possible, Drew.”

“I know it’s hard to believe, and the fact I didn’t tell you makes it look even worse, but I promise you, Bailey, you couldn’t be more different. I cared about her greatly, but more as a lifelong friend. She knew it, and so did I.”

“Drew. Please stop. I can’t do this with you.”

He cuts me off, forging ahead. “Our relationship was out of convenience for both of us. If someone else would’ve come along and swept her off her feet, she’d have been gone.”

“So you were more invested than she was? Is that what you’re telling me?” I scoff. “I’m hardly seeing how that’s supposed to make me feel better.” I turn too suddenly, and pain radiates up my arm. “Ouch,” I cry out, and Drew’s eyes widen.

“Let me help you,” he says, moving the wires so they don’t pull on my IV.

“Thank you,” I say.

His eyes are sad. I’m sure this isn’t how he hoped our talk would go, but I’m hurt, both physically and mentally. He kept secrets from me—big secrets—and as much as I want to believe our relationship is based on true feelings, I can’t help but feel like I’m the replacement Alexa.

“Stop,” he commands. “Don’t even think that way.”

“How do you know what I’m thinking?” I snap.

“I know you, Bailey. I know everything about you because I’m in love with you.”

I inhale at the intensity in his voice. “How do I know that, Drew? How do I know I’m not a fill-in? You lied to me.”

He laughs, but it’s not humorous. “You’re not Alexa. You’re the complete opposite,” he starts. “You care about everyone else above yourself. You’re selfless and kind.” He grabs my hand. “That is what made me fall in love with you. I only kept it from you because of this. I never wanted you to doubt my love. It’s not about what you look like, Bailey, but what’s in here.” He points at his heart. “I love you,” he repeats.

“You loved her once.”

He shakes his head. “Bailey. I. Love. You. It will always be you. One day, I’ll make you my wife, and I’ll spend a lifetime proving it.”

My breath hitches at his declaration. Love is one thing, but marriage?

“Please tell me you want the same. Please tell me I haven’t ruined everything,” he begs.

I believe him. God help me, but looking into his soulful eyes, I see nothing but love shining back at me. The sincerity in his words touching me bone-deep. I love him. After almost dying, twice, I don’t want to waste time with what-ifs. I have to take a leap of faith and trust that what I believe is truth. He loves me.

“I want the same, Drew. I want you. I love you.”

His lips touch mine, and we lose ourselves in it. At this moment, it’s just the two of us. The outside world can’t touch us. For now, he’s all I need.

67

Drew

I walk into Reese’s room, knowing this can’t be avoided. He needs to atone for what he put Bailey through. To hell with the property and all the ways in which he’s fucked with me. This is about him almost killing an innocent girl.