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“Maybe you should leave,” Chloe spoke up. I noticed she had her hand over Dan’s. “Maddison can’t get worked up and clearly your visit is stressing her.”

“And who are you?” Justin snapped at her, now defensive. “Clearly no one who knows her very well. Otherwise, I would know you.” The flowers in his hand now dangled at his side.

“Logan, thank god!” I greeted my brother, pleased. He examined the room from the doorframe. His hands curled into fists as he noticed Justin. Justin cursed under his breath, his party now over.

“Want me to walk you out?” Logan glared at Justin. “Or I can help you out the window?”

“I thought you had classes in the morning,” Justin muttered.

“I vote window,” I said with too much delight. I saw Logan’s lips twitch slightly but he suppressed the smile to keep his face threatening.

Justin glanced at me for a moment, and sighing with defeat, walked out. Pausing in the doorway, he looked at me one last time. Most likely thinking it would be the last time he would see me, and hell it would be if I had anything to do with it.

“I’m sorry, Maddie.” He smiled grimly. Logan pushed him in the back, pushing him through the doorway and out of my life.

Closing my eyes, I sighed softly and fell back into the pillows. My strength was now gone, and my energy levels falling. Thank the lord Logan turned up early. Maybe his classes got cancelled? I would have to ask him when he got back.

“Maybe we should go,” Dan said softly. I couldn’t even be bothered to open my eyes. I knew for some weird reason I would be hurt by the bored expression, which was most likely on his face. I knew I was dying, but hell I wasn’t that uninteresting. “We will come back after lunch. Give you time to rest.”

Snapping my eyes open wide, I looked at him. His expression was neutral. “You’re coming back?”

“Chloe too.” He stood up. “If that’s ok?”

“Why?”

“We have to.” Dan wouldn’t meet my eye. He kept looking at Chloe.

Chloe was smiling at him with such admiration. I couldn’t understand it. Frowning, I watched Chloe get up. She reached across the bed offering me her hand to shake.

I slipped my hand into hers and her tanned hand engulfed mine softly. “It was lovely to meet you. After lunch I am sure we will get to know each other better.”

I nodded my head slightly, still extremely confused by her kindness. She let go of my hand and stood back slightly. Then she pushed Dan in the back, edging him closer to my bedside.

Dan’s eyes were focused. Yet they revealed an intense debate. Frowning, I couldn’t look away from his. It was like his eyes were pulling me in, and I wanted to know what he was so torn up about. Slowly he reached a hand out to me.

“I’ll see you after lunch.” His voice was just as torn as his eyes, as if shaking my hand was a bigger deal than what it was.

Slowly I reached out and placed my hand in his. It was only now I realized how cold my skin was compared to his. It was only a handshake, but for some reason it felt like more.

His eyes were locked with mine, as if he was expecting something to happen. Slowly I pulled my hand from his, and saw a flash of disappointment cross his eyes before he looked away.

I glanced at Chloe. She looked so happy. Whatever she was on, I wanted it.

“I’ll see you guys later then.” I nodded my head. For the first time ever, Dan smiled shyly at me. Then he walked out.

For some unknown reason, I would bet the little life I had left that I would see him again.

Chloe

The elevator doors closed and I spun around so quickly that I was slightly dizzy as I hugged Dan.

“I’m so proud of you!”

I felt Dan sigh softly on my shoulder as he held me to his chest. “I’m sorry, Chloe. I failed you.”

“No, you didn’t. You accepted your mate.” I leaned back slightly to stare into his eyes. I saw his regret. “This is how it was meant to be, Dan.” I untangled a hand from his back and placed it on his cheek. “She’s beautiful. You’re so lucky.”

“I can’t believe I touched her.” He groaned slightly. “I can’t believe I started it.”