The Two of Us (Love in Isolation 1)

I feel so bad for him and wish I’d been able to help. “How did you pay for it all?” I ask.

“I gave him a handie,” he jokes, and I roll my eyes. “The pharmacy is gonna charge it to the hospital, and they’ll add it to my bill. The cab driver is gonna mail an invoice.”

“I was so worried,” I tell him. “They couldn’t tell me anything about you except that you were alive, and every time I tried to call, it took forever to get through, and then you’d be sleeping. I can’t believe you’re here right now.” Happy tears stream down my face, and I want nothing more than to hold him. I carefully wrap my arms around his neck. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Those words are like music to my ears, baby.” He tightens his arm around me. “I’ve missed you too. So fucking much.” He pulls back slightly until our gaze meets. “You’re the only thing that kept me sane in there,” he admits.

I paint my lips across his, claiming him as mine.

Bruno wiggles between us, clearly annoyed he’s not getting any attention. “Hey, buddy.” Eli kneels and pets him as Bruno slobbers all over his face.

“He missed you,” I say. “And he sucks as a guard dog. He’s a bigger baby than me.”

Eli laughs, then grabs my hand and leads me to the couch. I look at the clothes he’s wearing. “Where did you get those from?”

He looks down at the oversized T-shirt. “The nice nurse who took care of me gave me her son’s extra clothes since mine were ruined. I need to write her a thank-you letter and send it with the biggest bouquet,” he tells me. “She was a godsend in the midst of all the chaos.”

“Hmm…is that who’s been keeping you busy? Flirting with your nurse?” I tease, popping a brow.

He leans over and plucks my bottom lips between his teeth. “Nah. I’m much more into bossy blondes who can’t cook,” he mocks, and I want to smack him, but I lean over and press my mouth to his again. I can’t get enough of him.

“I’ve been dreaming about that for days,” he admits, cupping my face.

“Me too,” I say as a blush creeps up my cheeks. “I thought I lost you.”

“Never,” he says. “I’m not going anywhere, baby.”

Relief washes over me as my pulse increases. I know I can’t live another day without telling him how I feel. “Good. I’m not sure my heart could survive without you.”

“Cami,” he whispers, his eyes searching my face. “I only thought about you while I was there. What you were doing, how you were feeding yourself,” he says with a chuckle. “I was worried how this was affecting you.”

“You were worried about me?” I roll my eyes with a smirk. “I kept thinking the worst. Eli…I—”

He sweeps his lips against mine. “I love you, Cami. I don’t think I’d be able to live another day without telling you how much you mean to me.”

I choke up, tears falling because he somehow stole my breath and the words I was going to say. “I love you too.”

Our mouths crash together, and as we become greedy for one another, Eli winces in pain. “Sorry,” I say. “What do you need? More pain meds?”

Eli smiles. “As long as you’re with me, I’ve got everything I need.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

ELIJAH

DAY 69

It’s been a month since the accident that landed me in the hospital for a week. So much has changed in that amount of time, and though my shoulder isn’t fully recovered, every day I feel stronger. I video conference my physical therapist twice a week, and I do daily exercises to keep up the mobility. It often leaves me breathless and needing my inhaler. I was so used to working out but have had to take it easy.

Cami’s been extremely helpful with everything, doing way more than she needs to. I can do things one-handed, but she insists. She reminds me to keep up with my PT and doesn’t let me get lazy with it.

After a couple of days back, I noticed the things she did around the house and considering how much she struggled before, she’s really putting in the effort to be more independent. She’s definitely changed, and without a doubt, she’s changed me too.

I get tired a lot faster than before, which frustrates me. Sometimes, I wish I had my old life back, the one I had before the pandemic and before getting shot, but then I remember that life didn’t include Cami. I wouldn’t change having her for the world. If having her means all the other bullshit had to happen, I’ll happily accept it.

New York is still in lockdown with shelter in place orders. I’m kinda shocked it’s lasted over two months, but then again, it makes sense with the current data. It reminds me to hold Cami that much tighter each night because I know how lucky and fortunate we are. We can help flatten the curve by doing our part and staying here as long as it takes. People like Ryan and all the essential workers are the true heroes during this crisis, so until there’s a safe way to reopen the state, we’ll isolate together.