Fit for Love (A Stand By Me Novel Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

Aiden?”
    “Makenna hit me. But that’s beside the point—”
    Nonna hoots, her laughter a little psychotic in the quiet hospital. “It’s true love. It’s good that you have passion.”
    My gaze snaps to Makenna’s. Her lips part into a slow smile, like maybe she’s thinking about our kiss or whether or not there is something between us that others can see. Or maybe I’m imagining it all.
    She looks back to Nonna.
    The nurse enters the room, giving us a friendly smile. She reads the paper on her clipboard, then looks up at Nonna. “How are you, Mrs. Alesini?”
    “Better,” she says on a sigh, her voice smaller and weaker. She must be tiring with all this talk.
    I make eye contact with the nurse. “Can I talk with you in a minute after you finish? I’d like to get all the details.”
    “My grandson brought his future wife,” Nonna says to the nurse. “Isn’t she beautiful? Doesn’t she have lovely skin? And look at her full bosom!”
    Heat crawls up my face and I avoid looking anywhere near Makenna. Nonna is clearly on some good drugs.
    “Yes, she’s very pretty,” the nurse says but looks at me. “What happened to your eye?”
    “An accident.” I stare at Makenna, who hasn’t said a thing to deny Nonna’s misunderstanding.
    The nurse returns her attention to the clipboard. “It’s time for me to check Mrs. Alesini. I’m sorry, but you both will have to wait outside. There’s a special ICU waiting room.”
    Nonna releases Makenna’s hand. “I am so tired.”
    “We’ll be waiting.” I lean over and kiss her weathered cheek, then walk carefully around the bed and out of Nonna’s room.
    Makenna follows me to the waiting room. A large family sits together on one side, so I lead her to the opposite end.
    “You didn’t have to do that.” I place my hands on my hips and look at my feet. “About letting her think that you and I… But it was nice. It meant a lot. I mean…just in case something happens and she…” My voice cracks so I stop talking.
    Makenna grabs my forearm and rubs along the bare skin, sending an electric current of awareness throughout my entire body. I lift my head and meet her gaze.
    I lean in, wishing for nothing more than to be able to take her in my arms. The desire for comfort almost overwhelms me, but I step back before I can let myself do something stupid.
    We barely know each other, aside from my stolen kiss.
    Then she puts both arms around me and squeezes. Her head fits in the curve of my neck. “You are a good man.”
    When she pulls away, I want to grab her hands and place her back in the spot she’s left. But it’s too late.
    “I wanted to make her happy.” Makenna sits in the nearest chair. “Your grandma’s sweet. A little bossy, but sweet. And loopy. She won’t remember any of it. I hope someone would do that for me.”
    “Thanks for coming out here with me. You must have somewhere you need to go. I’m going to stick around here.” I pull my phone out. “I still don’t have your number.”
    “I won’t let you pay the ticket,” she says.
    “You know that’s not the only reason I want it.”
    “Yeah. I should go. I have to be up early for my shift at Angel’s. It’s a shelter where I volunteer.” She stands and takes two steps back, glances over at the hallway leading to the elevators, then back at me. “Are you sure you’ll be OK? Someone is coming to be with you?”
    She wants to stay with me. I’m positive she does and the knowledge fills me with a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s only been hours and something has connected us to each other.
    I want to know everything about her. I want to know about her career, her likes and dislikes, even why she won’t give me her number. Maybe she’s in a relationship and I shouldn’t have kissed her.
    Idiot. I didn’t even ask. But she feels like she’s mine already. Dammit. This is Nonna’s fault.
    “I’ll be fine,” I say. I need to ask her. If there’s a reason she won’t let me call,