The Bodyguard Affair

“Yes. I’m happy that she has someone to protect her. And love her, of course.” Vivianne picked up Bianca’s hand again. “Because no matter what happens, she’ll always be my baby.”

“I know, Mom,” Bianca said. “But I am a grown adult now. I need to be able to make my own decisions. The right ones for me.”

“Yes, I know. It’s hard, darling. Maybe one day you’ll better understand where I’m coming from. You know, when you become a mother—”

“Do you think you could give me and Sam a moment, Mom?” Bianca patted her mother’s hand. “How about you go tell the doctor I’m awake? Tell the rest of the family, too. I’d love to see everyone.”

Her mother nodded. “Of course. I’ll be back in a bit.” She turned to Sam. “Keep an eye on her?”

“Absolutely.”

As soon as her mother was gone, sliding the door shut behind her, Bianca spoke what was on her mind. “I’m sorry for acting so stupid.”

“What do you mean?” Sam asked.

“You know exactly what I mean. I shouldn’t have lashed out at you over the letter, let alone run off to see Ellen without telling you. Everything I’ve done these past few days has been out of my own selfish need to be seen as an adult, but I acted like an impulsive child.”

“I’m the one who should apologize.” Sam pulled over a wooden chair and sat beside Bianca. “I shouldn’t have kept the letter from you. You deserved to know what was happening. I wasn’t any better than your mom in that moment.”

Bianca shook her head. “I’m the one who freaked out about everything like an idiot. Don’t tell my mom this, but I’ve still got some growing to do. I hope that doesn’t make you fall out of love with me.”

“I don’t know what possibly could.”

Bianca let out a sigh and sank into the bed. “When I was sitting there with Ellen, waiting, wondering if I was going to die? I kept thinking about you. About how I never got the chance to tell you how I really feel.”

“Why don’t you tell me now?”

Bianca inhaled a deep breath. She was floating on a cloud that was high, high above the hospital bed, Sam in sweet but slow pursuit. “I love you. I was afraid to tell you because everything happened between us so quickly. I didn’t know if it was because of how crazy things were, or because it was real. I worried that you saw me as too young and immature for you. I worried my insane family would scare you off. Even when we made love, I sometimes worried that maybe I was just a passing fancy for you.”

Sam shook her head. “I never thought of you that way. You’ve probably guessed by now that I don’t fall in love easily. I haven’t loved anyone like this in a long, long time. Maybe even ever. But you? When I look at you, I don’t just see a beautiful girl I want to protect. I see a complicated woman with an even more complicated family. And I like complicated. Anything less is boring. Besides, do you think I can’t deal with your mother? Please. I’ll have to introduce you to my mom sometime.”

Bianca smiled. “I’d like that. I want to meet your whole family.”

“One potential disaster at a time.”

Sam leaned down to kiss her. But before they could share an intimate moment, the door slid open again, Scarlett and Parker vying for who would be the first to enter.

Scarlett clutched her hand to her chest as she reached Bianca’s side. “Thank God you’re okay. I was so worried about you.”

“Did that bitch hurt you?” Parker slammed the bottom of her fist into her palm. “If she did, I will hunt her down and make her regret it.”

Their parents followed behind them, their father offering a stiff nod in Bianca’s direction.

“I’m glad you’re all right.” The slight quaver in his voice was probably the most emotion he’d ever shown in front of his daughters. Or anyone.

Bianca smiled. The kiss could wait. Everyone she loved the most in the world was right here in this room, fussing over her.

And for once, she didn’t mind one bit.