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Gia nodded, slowly finding her footing. She took a deep breath andfound her still-shaky voice. “I still don’t understand. What happened?”

The reassuring smile on Elle’s face dimmed, a clue that everythingwasn’t okay. “It’s Holly. We were surfing and took the Jet Ski quite a way out.She wiped out pretty hard and her leash got caught on a reef. She was under fortoo long.”

“Oh, God. Is she okay?” Gia asked, glancing behind her at room411.

“She has to be,” Elle said with determination, tears appearing inher eyes this time. “But they’re not sure of the extent of the damage. She lostconsciousness and her brain was deprived of oxygen. They have her sedated andon a ventilator until they can run more tests. Figure out if there’s anycognitive impairment. An MRI will tell us more. I just…” She shook her head,looking lost. “I don’t know what to do.”

“You were there?” Isabel asked gently.

Elle nodded. “It was like an awful dream. I pulled her out as fastas I could, but it took a while to get the damn leash free. I did CPR until shesputtered and threw up a bunch of water while some guys on the beach callednine-one-one.”

“I can’t even imagine,” Gia said. It was a nightmare scenario.Something they all looked out for and feared.

“The ambulance came, and they’ve had her on oxygen ever since. Shewas in and out on the ride to the hospital, but never said anything. I’m notsure she could.” She shifted her focus between Gia and Isabel, her eyes alittle wild with fear. “The doctors are worried about something called brainhypoxia. The damage could be extensive or none at all.” She shrugged helplesslyas the tears fell. “We just don’t know yet.”

Isabel took Elle’s hand. “Your friend sounds strong.”

“She is. She always has been.” Elle seemed to seize on this notionlike a much-needed lifeline.

“Remember that. She’s gonna fight this.”

Elle nodded. “Thanks, Isabel. I called her parents in NorthCarolina. They’re hopping a flight but won’t be here until tomorrow. Dash is inwith her now. So I guess I’m just waiting.”

“We’re just waiting,” Gia corrected. She needed Elle to know thatshe wasn’t alone in this. She didn’t plan on going anywhere.

Isabel looked from Gia to Elle. “I’m gonna check on Autumn. Giveyou guys some space. I’ll check in a little later.”

Gia nodded. “Thanks, Iz. I mean it. Please keep me updated. I’llbe down to check in in a little while.”

Isabel nodded. “I’ll check in on you soon, too.”

When they were alone, Elle turned to Gia. “What is shereferencing? Is Autumn here?”

“Admitted downstairs for false contractions and low bloodpressure. They’re keeping her overnight. That was horrific scare number one.”

“Really?” Elle shook her head. “I can’t believe all of thishappened in one day.” She reached for Gia’s hand. “I’m sorry you were worriedabout me on top of everything, but I would be lying if I said that I wasn’thappy that you’re here. It helps so much just to see your face right now.”

“I’m glad.” Gia inhaled deeply, still feeling shaky and off-kilterfrom the shock. It was awful that Holly was hurt, but knowing Elle was okay wasthe only thing holding her together. She turned to Elle with forceful purpose.“Listen, you gotta stay safe, okay? Always. No matter what the cost. No gettinghurt, because that?” She shook her head and placed a hand over her stilldelicate heart. “I can’t take.”

Elle smiled and touched Gia’s cheek softly. “I will do my verybest.”

“No, not good enough. I’m serious. I don’t know what I would do ifsomething happened to you, logistics of the word aside. You’re too important.”

Elle softened. “I feel the same way. I get it.”

“Do you?” Gia said, unrelenting.

Elle took her hand. “I do.”

Maybe it was because they were alone in the hallway and heremotions hung so plainly on her sleeve, but Gia couldn’t stop herself fromtaking Elle’s face in her hands and kissing her. In her current reality, restrainingherself was not an option. Not on a day like today, and what point would thatserve anyway? For one moment in time, her career could kick rocks. Elle waswhat mattered. She had Gia’s focus, and through that kiss, she made a point tochannel every iota of feeling she had for Elle, which was staggering. Elledidn’t stop her, didn’t pull away or merely accept the kiss. In fact, shekissed her back with the same urgency and cradled the back of her head.

“God, I miss you,” Elle whispered into her hair, which promptedGia to hold her tighter, never wanting to let go. But underneath, she knewtheir circumstances hadn’t changed. This was about raw and honest emotion, whatthey felt for each other, and her feelings for Elle hadn’t wavered. In fact,she loved her. She knew that as true as what day it was.

“I miss you, too,” she whispered. “I keep thinking it’s going toget easier.” Gia pulled back and lifted Elle’s chin. “Listen to me. Holly’sgoing to be okay. I can feel it.”

Elle offered a wobbly smile. “Thank you for saying that. I thinkit’s going to be a long night.”

“We’ll get through it together,” Gia said, and wrapped an armaround Elle as the routine sounds of the hospital continued around them.