Page 45 of Final Temptation (Alpine Peak #2)

I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something felt different.

For days, weeks, months, years—who even fucking knows how long it had been—I felt completely unlike myself, living life in a wildly different universe.

My eyes focused on a clock hanging straight ahead on a wall from where I lay stiff. It was dark, and the hands pointed to ten, cluing me in that it was nighttime. I had no idea what day it was.

The urge to speak wasn’t there quite yet. My mind was spinning, trying my hardest to gather every thought as I took in my surroundings.

I was in unfamiliar territory. This wasn’t my bedroom, parents’ house, or Declan’s. The room smelled of cleaning products and flowers, and the walls were bare and bland. It didn’t take me long to realize I was in a hospital room.

What do I remember?

Why am I here?

Why does my chest feel so heavy?

My neck didn’t want to move just yet, but I’d know that smell anywhere. It was the floral perfume I spent so many nights dreaming about before landing here.

Sophie.

I could feel her steady breaths.

I could smell the sweet scent of her blonde locks.

I could feel her hands resting on my chest with a grip so tight, it felt like home.

My heart rate spiked.

Lying here, stiff as a board, I could feel, I could smell, and I could see. The feeling of true panic washed over me for the first time since that night, and I was coming back to life with Sophie right by my side in the process.

My body was slowly starting to come back to me, but even at a snail’s pace, with her by my side, I felt like I was soaring.

With everything in me, I willed my body to reach and touch her, but it immediately backfired.

I wasn’t strong enough. When I realized I couldn’t touch her like I’d wanted to for so long, my body internally freaked out.

The beeping of the machine was only getting louder, simultaneously grabbing her attention.

Her gorgeous eyes met mine, laced with fear and excitement. “Myles, can you hear me?”

“Yes, I can hear you, loud and clear. I’ve been able to hear you every single day for God knows how many of those I’ve been laying here,” I wanted to scream, but my throat wouldn’t allow it.

The nurse ran into the room, something about her strikingly familiar. She hovered over me for a moment, assessing my eyes. “Honey, Myles is awake,” she spoke in a calm, endearing voice.

Awake.

Was I finally back? Or was this all another dream? Maybe it was another terrible joke of a nightmare.

What kind of cruel prank would that be?

Where was Sophie? Why couldn’t I feel her anymore?

Her body heat no longer warmed my chest when the nurse took over, doing her job to gather as much information as she could on my condition.

“S-S-Soph-ie,” I attempted to mumble, the syllables coming out in a hoarse cough.

“Myles!” she cried from a distance, her steps thumping in my direction. “Oh my God. Please tell me you remember me.” Her warm hand encompassed mine, and her gorgeous eyes glistened with fresh tears ready to fall.

Remember her? How in the hell could I forget her?

Feeling groggy, my hand clutched hers with as much strength as I could manage. Her eyes flew down to our hands, confirming it wasn’t just me; she could feel me too.

“God bless my late husband,” the nurse mumbled under her breath.

“Yeah, seriously,” a sigh of relief slipped from Sophie’s lips, “Anthony Wilson sure was looking out for you today, one year to the day.”

“And time,” the nurse added.

The nurse.

Paige’s mom.

Lisa Wilson.

Her familiarity made so much more sense.

“I’m going to give you two a minute, I need to grab the doctor anyway,” Lisa said before she snuck out the door.

“You had a guardian angel all along, Myles Cooper.” Her sweet voice tickled my ear before she trailed a few light kisses against my jaw.

Slowly, I wiggled my fingers against hers in response.

A year ago, to the day, I did everything in my power to save Anthony’s life. When I couldn’t succeed, he’d only soar—saving my life three hundred and sixty-five days later.

The thought triggered a slow stream of water to trickle down my cheek, Sophie’s delicate fingers reaching out to wipe it away.

If it was October 8th, then…how long had I been out? I tried to work out the timing, but my memory wasn’t working that quickly just yet.

Based on Sophie and Lisa’s reaction, and the way it was near impossible to move my body and speak, this wasn’t just an overnight nap—it had been quite some time. It would most likely be a tough recovery, with a lot of ups and downs. Nothing I couldn’t handle after everything I’d been through.

The battle would always be to stay alive and forgive myself for being unable to change someone else’s fate. Even though I laid here, my body in questionable condition, I’d never felt freer of every burden I used to carry.

The struggle of waking up each morning with the memory of Anthony’s bloody face, a mainstay in my memory, and the guilt from that night was all replaced by the hope for a better future.

A future with me and the girl I loved with my whole heart.

Now was finally my moment. A day I’d been waiting for. I needed to tell her how I felt; I needed her to know I heard her every word.

“Soph,” I coughed out, my voice coming out a little lower than I was used to hearing, “I love you too.” My words sounded weak, but the strength it took to say them was every bit worth it.

Sophie dropped her head to my chest, quietly sobbing against my hospital gown, her soft voice whispering, “I’ve been waiting weeks to hear those words from you. I love you so much, Myles.”

Weeks.

In that moment, I thought to myself and promised Sophie I’d never put myself or her in this type of situation again. Sure, life would be hard, but I’d never be the reason it felt impossible again.

With her by my side, I was capable of anything.